An introduction to waste planning

The need to move towards sustainable waste management will mean more facilities will be required to sort, reduce, recycle and process waste before final disposal as we move away from landfill. The planning system in Scotland is crucial to delivery of this through ensuring new development is designed to consider the minimisation and management of waste, and also because the new treatment facilities will require planning consent. The planning system can help support delivery of the infrastructure in the best location and to the overall benefit of the environment and public interest by;

• Providing clear, positive planning policies within Development Plans to provide a land use planning framework to advise developers and the community where new waste management infrastructure may be best located. These policies, along with National planning policy and guidance, provide the basis upon which decisions on planning applications for new development will then be taken.
• Taking informed decisions on planning applications for new waste management facilities and providing clear advice to developers and the public throughout this process.

SEPA has an important role to play in this process as a consultee, when commenting on both Development Plans and planning applications. Further guidance on SEPA's role in land use planning can be found on the planning section of our website.

As part of this role, and SEPA's wider role of promoting the objectives of the National Waste Strategy, work is ongoing on raising awareness amongst key decision makers of the important role of the planning system, along with providing objective information and guidance.