SEPA as a Consultee

SEPA is promoting implementation of the objectives of the Area Waste Plans, the National Waste Plan and the National Waste Strategy: Scotland through the planning system.

The two main areas where SEPA are currently involved are:

• Making representations to the Planning Authority on Development Plan policy formulation to ensure that National Waste Strategy issues are addressed in terms of provision of a policy framework which will help support delivery of the move to sustainable waste management and delivery of the indicative infrastructure requirements of the Area Waste Plans. To this end internal guidance has been developed for SEPA staff to assist in commenting consistently on Development Plans and is available here. (575k pdf - Please note this guidance may be further amended over time and does not represent SEPA policy)
  
  
• Commenting on planning applications to ensure that proposed developments help support and facilitate the move to sustainable methods of waste management and also where appropriate commenting on whether applications for waste infrastructure will assist in delivery of the National Waste Strategy and Area Waste Plans To this end internal guidance has been developed for SEPA staff to assist in commenting consistently on planning applications and is available here. This guidance contains key questions which SEPA staff will be considering with both major waste management proposals and all planning applications. It is also intended to help make all parties aware, at the earliest stage, of the type of information required by SEPA to comment fully on planning applications and so assist in the determination of planning applications (Please note this guidance may be further amended over time and does not represent SEPA policy). In addition SEPA is currently working on standard comments for responding on planning application consultations to ensure consistency.

In addition SEPA staff may also be required to appear as expert witnesses in any subsequent Public Local Inquiries, or provide supporting information for any appeals against planning decisions.

Finally SEPA has also been involved in the ongoing "strategic options appraisal" process being carried out by groups of Local Authorities to consider the options for providing strategic waste management facilities to treat, and ultimately divert residual municipal waste from landfill. SEPA has produced a paper to outline our potential role in this process in terms of land use planning and site search issues.  This been based on national policy and guidance and is available here