§ Mr. Chris DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what powers he has to intervene in234W respect of local authority decisions not to refer to him decisions to tip large quantities of spoil on green belt land; [24249]
(2) what are the limits placed upon (a) the volume of waste which may be tipped on green belt land and (b) the period of time during which this may occur, if the ultimate use of the land is said to be for an appropriate use; and if he will make a statement. [24250]
(3) in what circumstances a local planning authority may authorise the tipping of waste on green belt land without the approval of the Secretary of State. [24252]
§ Sir Paul BeresfordLocal authorities are required to determine on their individual merits planning applications for the tipping of waste on green belt land, its proposed after-use and the time scale involved by taking into account the provisions of the development plan and all other material considerations, including Government planning advice such as, in this case, planning policy guidance note 2: "Green Belts". The disposal of waste also requires a waste management licence from the Environment Agency.
Local authorities are required to notify the Secretary of State of any planning application which they do not intend to refuse and which will significantly prejudice the implementation of the development plan so that he can consider whether or not to call it in for his own determination. In addition, the Secretary of State has power to call in other applications, but in all instances he will do this only if in his view they give rise to planning issues of wider than local importance and then only if these issues warrant a decision by him rather than by the local authority.
§ Mr. DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his policy with regard to the tipping of waste on green belt land. [24251]
§ Sir Paul BeresfordThe tipping of waste on green belt land is inappropriate development unless it maintains openness and does not conflict with the purposes of including land in the green belt. Further advice is given in paragraphs 1.5 and 3.12 of planning policy guidance note 2, "Green Belts".