§ Mr. Nigel JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what assessment he has made of safety risks of gas bullets stored near Gloucester Road in Cheltenham; [29396]
599W(2) if he will make a statement on the safety record of the range gas storage methods; [29397]
(3) what measures he expects to take to remove gas bullets from residential areas; and if he will make a statement. [29398]
§ Angela EagleI have no proposals to remove gas bullets from residential areas. Gas bullets are used to store gas at high pressure and currently there are twelve such notifiable hazardous installations in Great Britain. All are subject to health and safety legislation requiring operators to submit a safety report which sets out the measures taken to ensure safety at the installation to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Assessment of these reports takes into account predictive, technical and operational elements, and consideration of the causes and consequences of major accidents on the site. An assessment of on-site and off-site risks and details of control measures on the site are also made.
HSE also sets a "consultation distance" around these installations. The Local Planning Authority (LPA) is required to consult HSE on planning applications within the consultation distance, to give HSE the opportunity to provide advice on safety issues affecting the proposed development. However, the ultimate responsibility for deciding on planning permission rests with the LPA.
HSE's advice is based on residual risks posed by an installation of this type, after the overall risks have been reduced to a level which is as low as reasonably practicable. The basis for the advice and the criteria used by HSE in formulating such advice are set out in "Risk criteria for land-use planning in the vicinity of major industrial hazards", published in 1989 by HMSO.
HSE has set a consultation distance around the notifiable hazardous installation operated by BG Transco, Gloucester Road, Cheltenham. In 1997 HSE was asked to advise the LPA in Cheltenham on two planning applications within the consultation distance of the Gloucester Road site. Both cases were passed to HSE's Major Hazards Assessment Unit (MHAU).
The first case involved the conversion of land adjacent to the BG Transco site into a play area for Gloucester Road Primary School. MHAU's assessment led HSE to advise against granting planning permission. The assessment was based on developed policy which is to advise against developments involving vulnerable populations (such as school children) in the consultation zone.
The second case also involved the provision of a play area for the same school; it required the demolition of a house and social club and conversion of a small area of land adjacent to the school. This was further away from the BG Transco site than the first case, but still within the consultation zone. MHAU's assessment took account of the overall reduction in the population at risk and the small increase in area of the school. It was felt that this development would not put children at greater risk and in this case HSE did not advise against granting planning permission.
Formal assessments of the safety risks at the Gloucester Road site were undertaken during 1992 and 1995. A further safety report is due shortly.
600WNatural gas in Great Britain is normally stored in the following ways:
- (a)in low pressure gas holders;
- (b)in high pressure storage bullets;
- (c)as liquefied natural gas;
- (d)in underground caverns.
These storage methods have a good safety record and in recent years there have been few incidents and no injuries.