HC Deb 01 February 1999 vol 324 cc471-2W
Mr. Loughton

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what are the current official guidelines on the building of public waste incinerators near densely populated areas. [68136]

Mr. Raynsford

The building of public waste incinerators will normally require the grant of planning permission under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended) and an authorisation under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Government guidance on the location of incinerators is included in Planning Policy Guidance note 23 "Planning and Pollution Control". This will be updated soon when Planning Policy Guidance note 10 "Planning and Waste Management" is published. The Department also issued a guidance note to local authorities in August 1997, on the provision of incinerators in connection with the slaughter of cattle under the "Over Thirty Months Scheme".

Mr. Loughton

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many public waste incinerators have been constructed in the UK in each of the last five years. [68134]

Mr. Meale

Within England and Wales, one municipal waste incinerator was constructed in 1997. All other plants currently operating in England and Wales were significantly upgraded during the period in question, but no other plants were newly constructed during this period.