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The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has recently written to all Common Grazings Clerks in the Uists to tell them about important changes to waste laws.
The new rules mean that anyone who wants to use rock, rubble, earth etc from construction or demolition works must get permission from SEPA first. The controls are in place to prevent environmental pollution and harm to human health.
Although usually exempt from licensing, these activities may need to be registered with SEPA. There are three categories of activity:
- treating land for agricultural benefit or ecological improvement
- treating land for reclamation or improvement
- using waste for works such as maintaining or building a road, building recreational facilities or drainage.
SEPA needs to know about proposed work at least 21 days in advance to make a decision about whether or not the activity needs to be registered. If it does, there is a form to complete and a fee to pay.
More information about this is available from SEPA, but the basic requirements of the form are:
- proof of permission from the landowner (in the case of a Common Grazings that would be the estate)
- proof of planning permission from the council (where applicable)
- details of the types of waste
- a plan or drawing
- proof of how the waste will be of agricultural benefit or ecological improvement (where applicable).
A notification form and guidance are available from SEPA’s office at 2 James Square, Stornoway, HS1 2QN or can be obtained by phoning 01851 706477.
ENDS
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