§ Mr. Frank FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment in respect of floating incinerators moored off United Kingdom shores or in ports and rivers, what is the present position regarding pollution control; what is the present legal requirement to obtain planning permission; what are the opportunities for the community to have their views taken into account in respect of a proposed development; what proposals he has to change the law on planning permission and pollution control; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MacleanIncineration of waste material at sea is controlled internationally by the Oslo convention, to which the United Kingdom is a party. In 1987 a North sea ministerial conference agreed that all marine incineration should be phased out by 31 December 1994, and in March 1990 the Government announced that no more United Kingdom waste would be licensed for marine incineration after the end of that year.
The pollution controls established under part I of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 extend to prescribed processes which might take place on water, including United Kingdom territorial waters, and the release of prescribed substances into such waters. The provision of permanent moorings for a vessel generally involves a material change of use of land, for which planning permission is required.
Advertisement and notification of applications is required under both the planning and pollution control systems to give local people and organisations an opportunity to express their views; and relevant views must be taken into account in the determination of a planning application or an application for authorisation under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
I am satisfied that these arrangements are adequate to ensure appropriate regulation of any floating incinerator moored off United Kingdom shores or in ports and rivers.