13. MINERALS, WASTE MANAGEMENT AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

INTRODUCTION

13.1 Gateshead remains the main minerals-producing area in Tyne and Wear and consequently the authority with the most potential for waste management by landfill. In recent years, together with other areas of planning, there has been a move away from the “predict and provide” approach to “plan, monitor and manage”. In addition, sustainability has become a key issue in both minerals and waste planning and the importance of encouraging renewable energy production has emerged.

13.2 This chapter begins with overall policies that apply to both minerals and waste developments. It then divides into three sections: the first covers minerals, the second waste management issues for the borough and the third renewable energy and sustainable building and construction.

OVERALL POLICY

MWR1 Mineral extraction, including opencast coal, and waste disposal, treatment or handling facilities will be permitted if the proposal contributes to national, regional or local indicative figures and targets, and the social, environmental and economic gains arising from the proposal are not outweighed by adverse effects on the local community, the environment and amenity.

13.3 The sustainable extraction of minerals and the sustainable treatment and use of waste both make vital contributions to economic growth. Proposals for the extraction of mineral reserves and for the management and disposal of waste will be assessed in terms of contribution to sustainability in general as well as the specific principles for minerals and waste.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

MWR2 The environmental impact of any proposal for mineral extraction or a waste management facility will be assessed individually and cumulatively with regard to its effect on local amenity (based on the scale and likely duration of the operation, visual impact, dust, noise, blasting, traffic, days and hours of working or other potential disturbances – site-specifically and within its zone of influence) and by taking into account currently available protective measures.

13.4 Mineral extraction and landfill operations, and waste disposal and treatment operations, will usually disturb the amenity of an area through factors such as noise, dust and visual intrusion. These factors will be taken into account, individually and cumulatively at both site-specific and the wider zone of influence level when assessing a proposal.

13.5 At the site-specific level, all factors may be individually tolerable but the suffering caused by the cumulative effect of two or more of them may be intolerable.

13.6 In this circumstance, the zone of influence of a site is that area which would experience impacts from any mineral or waste activity on that site. The effects may be physical or visual and may be experienced by those permanently living in the zone of influence, people who spend only some of their time there or people who are simply passing through. Where there is a proposal for mineral extraction, landfill, waste treatment or disposal, it needs to be considered whether other such developments have planning permission, are currently in operation or have recently been completed. The cumulative result could be an unacceptable level of continuous or nearly continuous suffering. Thus, although the suffering caused by a single development might not be sufficient to warrant refusal, it could become unacceptable when taken together with suffering from other relevant mineral or waste disposal activities in the same area.

13.7 The zone of influence concept is of major importance in Gateshead where mineral extraction and waste disposal operations have been long established and have affected large areas in the past, particularly in the west of the borough.

13.8 A zone of influence cannot be defined in advance on the proposals map. As a dynamic concept it will apply to the effects of a proposal on people whether they are at home or otherwise at a fixed location (within settlements) or travelling on foot or in a vehicle (within or outside settlements) in the normal course of their activities. Each proposed site will have its own individual characteristics and inter-relationships within an area. However, where appropriate, the zone of influence of a scheme will be identified on a plan during pre-planning-application discussions between the developer and the Council.

FIVE YEAR RULE

MWR3 Unless there are over-riding material considerations no zone of influence of a mineral extraction or waste management facility should suffer a continuous or nearly continuous series of such schemes (i.e. within a minimum period of five years).

13.9 The purpose of the zone of influence concept is not only to reduce the cumulative effect of mineral extraction, waste disposal and waste treatment operations in the same zone at the same time, but also to combat the effects of a continuous or nearly continuous series of such schemes. Five years is the minimum “breathing space” the Council wishes to achieve between schemes in a single “zone of influence”. The Council would consider a continuous scheme to be one where soil stripping on a new scheme began before the complete restoration of soils on an existing scheme or schemes. A nearly continuous scheme would be one where soil stripping begins within five years of all soil being restored on an existing site or sites. A breathing space needs to be established between schemes, which, if it is to have any meaningful effect, should be of at least five years’ duration.

13.10 The period of the minimum five-year breathing space between schemes in the same zone of influence will be measured from the time of the return and spreading of all topsoil, subsoil and soil-making material of the first scheme, to the start of soil stripping on the second. Over-riding material considerations would apply where it is proven that it is advantageous to work schemes continuously or nearly continuously, for example in order to reduce the overall impact on surrounding communities, avoid the sterilisation of deposits, expedite the reclamation of derelict land, or achieve other community benefits.

MINERALS POLICY

13.11 This section covers policy issues relating both energy minerals and non-energy minerals.

13.12 Gateshead is the major producer of minerals in Tyne and Wear with extensive shallow deposits of coal, significant resources of sand and gravel and, at Lamesley, the only deposit of clay suitable for brick making in Tyne and Wear.

ASSOCIATED MINERALS

MWR4 The extraction of minerals found in association with the prime reserves will be encouraged. The quantity and quality of associated minerals must be assessed and will be taken into account in considering the planning application. Measures will also be required to provide for the sale, stockpiling or alternative storage of the reserves as an integral part of the main operation.

13.13 Often, working a prime mineral reserve provides the opportunity to extract other minerals from the same site. Whilst the efficient working of these as part of the main operation of the site will be encouraged by the Council, due regard must be paid to:

• working them efficiently and economically;

• fully exploring, and ensuring the viability of, the commercial opportunities and the market for the associated minerals;

• minimising subsequent environmental disturbance and preventing the unnecessary sterilisation of valuable reserves; and

• not stockpiling or storing resources in a manner that restricts their future use.

AFTERCARE, AFTER-USE, RECLAMATION AND USE OF BONDS

MWR5 Measures, which may include agreement to provide a financial bond where appropriate, will be sought to ensure that the reclamation of mineral extraction and landfill sites achieves:

1. the re-establishment of the best and most versatile agricultural land; the consideration of the establishment of alternative after-uses that will be of benefit to the community, such as wildlife habitat creation; the maintenance, access to and interpretation of items of geodiversity interest; recreation and forestry; and

2. a high standard of aftercare and management on the reclaimed land.

13.14 It is established Government policy that restoration and aftercare of an appropriate quality will be required to make mineral and waste sites fit for beneficial after-use in a manner which is environmentally acceptable. On land of good agricultural quality, agriculture will generally be appropriate. However mineral extraction or landfill give the opportunity to consider changes in future land uses. This will be encouraged in particular for after-uses that are in the public interest such as wildlife habitat creation, recreation and forestry.

13.15 Whatever the ultimate after-use, poor quality restoration and reclamation must be avoided and attention should be paid not only to the restoration of the landscape but also where necessary its improvement. Planning permission will be the subject of conditions to secure the restoration, aftercare and after-use of sites. Generally this will be sufficient to ensure restoration. However, in exceptional circumstances, for example:

• for very long-term projects where progressive restoration/reclamation is not practicable, incremental payments into a secure fund may be made as the site develops,

• where a novel approach or technique is to be used but the Council considers it justifiable to give permission for the development, or

• where there is reliable evidence of either financial or technical failure but these concerns are not such as to justify refusal of permission,

the provision of financial bonds may be sought to ensure that reclamation is carried out properly in accordance with planning requirements. Financial guarantees are a legitimate and appropriate means of reassuring the local community of operators' commitment and ability to restore sites properly and on time. However, the Council may not seek a financial bond where operators are already contributing to an established mutual-funding scheme. A financial guarantee may also be appropriate in relation to a minerals development as part of a planning obligation to enable the development to proceed, for example, a contribution to the funding of the management of a new after-use beyond the formal aftercare period.

NON-ENERGY MINERALS

SAND AND GRAVEL

13.16 Minerals Planning Guidance note 6 sets out the amount of aggregates which the region is expected to contribute to the national supply and the Regional Aggregates Working Party (RAWP) translates this into sub-regional apportionment. Minerals Planning Guidance note 1 states that a landbank for at least seven years’ extraction should be maintained, unless exceptional circumstances prevail.

MWR6 The Council will seek to ensure that, in cooperation with the other four Tyne and Wear mineral planning authorities, it jointly maintains the Tyne and Wear landbank for sand and gravel subject to environmental considerations.

13.17 The apportionment exercise undertaken by the RAWP in 2003 requires a contribution of 2.7 million tonnes of sand and gravel from the Tyne and Wear sub-region for the period 2001-16. In December 2002, viable reserves of sand and gravel in Tyne and Wear with planning permission were estimated at 3.2 million tonnes. In Gateshead, reserves are located in the two active quarries in the borough; Blaydon Quarry and Crawcrook Quarry. There are also reserves at two sites – Bog Wood and west of Barlow Lane – classified as dormant in accordance with Minerals Planning Guidance note 14 and the Review of Mineral Planning permissions section of the Environment Act 1995. Whilst the dormant sites have planning permission in principle, before extraction could begin the operator would need to apply to the Council to approve modern planning conditions for the operation of the site.

SAFEGUARDED SITES

MWR7 The following sites, where there are sand and gravel deposits, will be safeguarded against unnecessary sterilisation by development:

7.1 Stephens Hall Storage Void

7.2 Bradley Hall Farm

7.3 Crawcrook East

7.4 Ricklees Farm

7.5 Beamish

7.6 Crawcrook West

13.18 Local authorities have a duty to safeguard sites that are, or may become, of economic value, from unnecessary sterilising by future development, and to contribute to an adequate and steady supply of minerals to maintain economic growth. The identification of a site as safeguarded indicates a location where there are viable minerals deposits which the Council wishes to protect from development that might hinder future extraction. Each site would require planning permission before any extraction could take place and such an application would need to satisfy all relevant policies.

13.19 Part of the Beamish safeguarded site (MWR7.5) is a Site of Nature Conservation Importance (SNCI), is identified as Accessible Natural Greenspace and is afforded protection as public open space. In addition, it surrounds Ridley Gill and Pockerley Farm Ponds Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). Any proposals for the extraction of sand and gravel from this site would need to acknowledge these factors, particularly the vulnerability of the SSSI to changes in hydrology that might result from extraction of the reserves. Where a proposed development on land within or outside a SSSI has the potential to have an adverse effect on that SSSI, planning permission will not normally be granted.

13.20 Demand for aggregates can be unpredictable and this may result in unforeseen demand to open up additional quarries in the borough during the plan period. There is concern that this would result in unacceptable environmental impacts. In urbanised areas such as Gateshead, there are conflicts between preserving valuable national resources, contributing to the regional apportionment, permitting mineral extraction and preserving the residential amenities of local residents. In particular, the western part of the borough, specifically Ryton and Greenside, has experienced major disturbance from mineral extraction and waste disposal activities. Whilst the RAWP has advised the regional planning body that in the short term the Tyne and Wear sub- region can fulfil its contribution to the regional landbank from existing allocations, it has also stated that the situation needs to be monitored closely. It has been suggested that extraction should be encouraged away from the conurbation in the more remote, less populous rural areas of the region. As part of the review of the Regional Spatial Strategy, it has advised the regional planning body to undertake an environmental appraisal of future mineral extraction. Three scenarios were proposed:

• continuing with the current supply pattern;

• moving production to the more remote rural parts of the region; or

• increasing substitution of land-won supply by alternatively sourced aggregates (marine or recycled).

13.21 However, the results of the appraisal, reported in November 2005, were not conclusive in supporting a change to the current patterns of mineral extraction and supply. Therefore, a reduction in the number of safeguarded sites in the plan cannot be supported. An alternative to allocating individual sites is to identify areas of search or preferred areas for future mineral working. However this was considered a retrograde step. The safeguarded sites were included in the previous Unitary Development Plan because they are considered to contain viable mineral resources and there has been some environmental analysis of their suitability. They are therefore carried forward as safeguarded sites.

13.22 However, there are environmental constraints on working these sites, which will require detailed assessment before any decisions can be reached on their suitability for release.

UNACCEPTABLE AREAS OF WORKING

MWR8 Sand and gravel extraction will not be permitted on land:

8.1 south-east of Crawcrook Quarry;

8.2 between Low Folly and Woodhouse Farm; or

8.3 between Hexham Old Road and Stella, including land to the south-east of Image Hill.

13.23 In the Ryton/Greenside area further areas have been identified which contain workable deposits of sand and gravel where there are strong constraints against mineral working. The social and environmental costs of mineral working in these areas would exceed any benefits accruing from mineral extraction.

13.24 Working the land south-east of Crawcrook Quarry would result in the loss of amenity by the adjacent residential areas of Crawcrook. The land between Low Folly and Woodhouse Farm is adjacent to housing along Folly Lane. The land between Hexham Old Road and Stella overlooks a residential area, is prominent in views along and across the Tyne valley, and is partly within both a designated Site of Nature Conservation Importance and the Path Head Conservation Area.

STERILISATION OF DEPOSITS

MWR9 Where any development which is to be permitted is located where it would sterilise underlying or adjacent mineral deposits, the environmental acceptability of mineral extraction in advance of the development will be considered. Any mineral extraction operation must not prejudice the subsequent prime development.

13.25 As mineral resources are finite, care must be taken to safeguard those which are of possible economic importance. Irreversible development may sterilise underlying adjacent mineral deposits or seriously hinder their extraction. This situation must be avoided if at all possible. Should extraction take place in advance of other development it must not prejudice the implementation of that development. Extraction would also be expected to conform to the requirements regarding disturbance to the environment and local amenity.

MARINE-WON SAND AND GRAVEL

MWR10 Gateshead Wharf will be safeguarded as a strategic and sustainable wharf for the landing of marine aggregates and will be protected from the encroachment of incompatible land uses that would compromise its efficient operation.

13.26 Marine-dredged sand and gravel are expected to make a contribution of nine million tonnes to regional aggregates supply in the period 2001-16. Approximately 275,000 tonnes of high quality sand and gravel are landed annually at Gateshead Wharf to supply the Tyne and Wear market. The wharf is well located in relation to the highway network and to serve major redevelopments occurring in Tyne and Wear. Currently it lies in the East Gateshead Primary Employment Area. However, there is considerable residential development pressure on land west of the Primary Employment Area. There is concern that the encroachment of residential development into the Primary Employment Area may compromise the operation of the wharf. The wharf is a strategically important facility for both the borough and Tyne and Wear as a whole and should be safeguarded and protected from incompatible land uses encroaching upon the site.

USE OF ALTERNATIVE MATERIALS

SITE-SPECIFIC LEVEL

MWR11 Applicants for developments that are expected to produce significant volumes of waste will be expected to submit a waste audit or site waste management plan as part of their planning application. The audit should include information on:

1. the type and volume of waste the development will generate;

2. the steps taken to ensure that the maximum amount of waste arising from the development is re-used within the development;

3. the steps to be taken to manage the waste which cannot be incorporated into the new development; and

4. how treatment of the waste identified conforms to the principles of the waste hierarchy.

13.27 There is a national target for the use of alternative materials (secondary/recycled aggregates) of 60 million tonnes per annum by 2011 (Minerals Planning Guidance note 6). In assessing the Northern regional apportionment, it was assumed that 76 million tonnes of alternative materials would contribute to the supply of aggregates in the period 2001-16. It is therefore essential that encouragement is given to the use of such materials. For the most part, planning does not have the main role in this. Where it does, such activities might be better handled through planning obligations, planning conditions or supplementary planning guidance. However, there is a variety of ways that contributions to this target can be made on a site-by-site basis or by providing more facilities for widespread use.

13.28 At a site-specific level the Council can encourage sustainable building practices to reduce waste and to encourage re-use and recycling of building materials by:

• re-use of materials in construction projects (preparation of development sites, land restoration, site landscaping);

• use of recycled aggregates and building products within buildings and other structures; and

• temporary recycling facilities at demolition and construction sites.

13.29 Durham County Council's document “Building-in Sustainability: a Guide to Sustainable Construction and Development in the North East” has been produced to provide ideas and information on lean and sustainable construction methods. In addition, applications for new development should be accompanied by site waste management plans of the type encouraged by the Department of Trade and Industry Code of Practice: “Site Waste Management Plans: guidance for contractors and clients”, a voluntary code of practice.

AGGREGATES RECYCLING FACILITIES

MWR12 The development of sites for the handling of secondary/recycled aggregates will be encouraged subject to environmental suitability.

13.30 Another way in which planning can contribute to meeting this target is to facilitate the establishment of recycling facilities. This can be achieved by permanent or temporary facilities and the Council will encourage both types subject to environmental safeguards. Ideally they should be close to potential sources of arisings and potential markets.

TYNE MARSHALLING YARD

13.31 As mentioned in paragraph 7.37, Tyne Marshalling Yard has already become something of a focal point for aggregate recycling activity in the borough. There is a considerable amount of surplus land in the marshalling yard on which the Council is keen to see rail freight-related development. The site lies in the Green Belt, on open land, on a westward-facing slope. The sidings are elevated above the immediately adjoining land. Although no housing areas immediately adjoin it, the location means that it can cause amenity problems which extend over a wide residential area. In addition, the Council does not wish to compromise the potential of the site to attract more environmentally suitable activities dependent on rail access by permitting further recycling activities. As stated in para. 7.37, the site may be suitable for such activities on a temporary basis subject to environmental considerations, whilst more long-term rail-related development emerges. Therefore, it will not be identified as a location for aggregates recycling purposes. They may be permitted temporarily if they can demonstrate an exclusive reliance on rail transport and do not have a negative impact on residential amenity or the Green Belt. Policy JE6 provides guidance on how proposals for development on this site will be assessed.

BRICK CLAY

MWR13 The brick clay deposit at Lamesley will be safeguarded against unnecessary sterilisation by development.

13.32 There remains only one deposit of brick clay (laminated clay) in the borough and this is located at Lamesley. Currently there is no demand for its extraction but this is a valuable resource that should be protected for future extraction.

ENERGY MINERALS

EXTRACTION FROM FORMER WASTE TIPS AND DISUSED RAILWAY EMBANKMENTS

MWR14 The extraction of fuel and other materials from former colliery/coke waste tips and disused railway embankments will only be considered favourably where it would result in significant environmental improvement and can be implemented in an environmentally acceptable manner and where habitats, species or geological nature conservation interests are protected.

13.33 Past deep mining activity has created the opportunity for mineral operations in the form of reworking former colliery/coke tips and mineral railway embankments. The removal of material from mineral-working deposits constitutes development and requires planning permission. The minerals extracted are mostly fuel but can include ashes and aggregates. The working of old colliery/coke waste tips and mineral railway embankments can have minor economic benefits but more importantly can enable despoiled areas to be reclaimed. However, these operations can also cause considerable disturbance and could result in poor reclamation or the destruction of historic features (such as the Bowes Railway) and established landscape, habitats or recreational features. An assessment of the value of these features at the point at which planning permission is sought will be required.

OPENCAST COAL

MWR15 There will be a general presumption against permitting opencast coal extraction and/or the disposal of colliery spoil unless the proposal is environmentally acceptable or can be made so. Priority will be given to proposals that will bring about environmental improvement, especially to derelict sites. If a proposal cannot be made environmentally acceptable it may be permitted provided that the local community can obtain benefits from the proposal which clearly outweigh the likely impacts. Where need is advanced as a major justification for a proposal, applicants will be required to demonstrate that they have considered less damaging alternative sites or sources of supply.

13.34 There is no agreed target for UK opencast coal production. However, the whole of the borough is underlain by extensive coal deposits and can be regarded as a shallow coalfield and potential location for opencast coal extraction. Because of this and because of the highly urbanised nature of a significant part of the borough, any opencast extraction will be particularly contentious and will have significant environmental impacts. In addition, no information has been forthcoming from operators about their long-term programmes for future opencast coal extraction. For these reasons, it is not considered appropriate to indicate areas where opencast coal extraction will or will not be acceptable. Each case will be treated on its merits. Nor has a constraints map been produced because the Unitary Development Plan proposals map effectively identifies the environmental constraints that an operator would have to consider in putting forward proposals for opencast extraction. This approach also gives the widest degree of flexibility to operators in identifying new sites and seeking to obtain planning permission for them. Minerals Planning Guidance note 3 states that in applying the principles of sustainability to coal extraction, there should normally be a presumption against development. When permission is granted, the proposal should provide the best balance of community, social, environmental and economic interests, consistent with the principles of sustainable development.

WASTE MANAGEMENT

MWR16 Proposals for waste management facilities will be permitted if applicants can demonstrate that they are consistent with the waste hierarchy and they deal with waste as close as possible to its source. For waste disposal facilities, applicants should demonstrate that it will not prejudice the movement of waste up the waste hierarchy. In addition, they must be acceptable in terms of their effects on local amenity site-specifically and/or within the zone of influence.

13.35 Waste planning policy has undergone a complete sea change in the past five years. The principal driver for change is the Landfill Directive, which set targets to reduce the amount of waste being sent to landfill. In the United Kingdom, this has major implications because currently most waste is landfilled. Waste Strategy 2000 and Planning Policy Statement 10 emphasise the need to develop a sustainable framework for waste planning and to encourage sustainable waste management practices based on:

• decoupling economic growth from increased growth in waste arisings;

• producing less waste;

• treating waste as a resource;

• driving waste up the waste hierarchy;

• enabling the sufficient and timely provision of waste management facilities to enable communities to take responsibility for their own waste;

• securing the recovery or disposal of waste without endangering human health or harming the environment;

• enabling waste to be disposed of as close as possible to its origin;

• protecting green belts but recognising the particular locational needs of certain facilities; and

• ensuring the design and layout of new developments supports sustainable waste management.

13.36 In addition, Best Value introduced a set of statutory performance standards for recycling/composting for each local authority. The latest Best Value Performance Indicator for Gateshead was to achieve a recycling/composting rate of 18% by 2005. No further targets have been set because the Government is reviewing the need to provide authorities with further recycling and composting targets. For the present, the priority has shifted to the implementation of the Landfill Trading Allowance Scheme, which will exert more effective control over the quantities of municipal waste being landfilled.

13.37 The combined effect of these factors on the policy context is that provisions must be made for a broader range of facilities than previously. This may include:

• waste separation and recycling facilities;

• composting facilities;

• incinerators;

• waste to energy plants;

• landfill or landraising;

• waste transfer stations; and

• sewage treatment works.

NEED FOR WASTE FACILITIES

MWR17 Permission will be granted for waste management facilities provided that there is a clearly established need which outweighs adverse environmental impacts, and that any adverse environmental impacts are minimised.

13.38 It is generally advocated that a clear assessment of need is central to waste planning, and that provision should be made for an adequate network of waste management facilities to provide for the equivalent of waste arisings together with any agreed imports/exports. If development takes place in excess of local need it could encourage the import of waste over longer distances contrary to the proximity principle, and discourage the development of local options closer to the point of origin. Also, all waste management development has some adverse environmental effects, so it is reasonable that need is demonstrated to outweigh the harm that may result.

EXISTING SITUATION

REGIONAL SITUATION

13.39 The North East Region Technical Advisory Body on Waste has undertaken work at the regional level to predict the likely volumes of waste which will require management up to 2025, taking into account economic and population projections for the North East. This work predicts that by 2020/21 the region would have to manage

• 2.4 million tonnes of municipal waste;

• 4.7 million tonnes of commercial and industrial waste;

• 6.4 million tonnes of construction and demolition waste; and

• 671,000 tonnes of special waste.

There is no forecast of agricultural waste because it is assumed it will be disposed of on the farm.

13.40 Five options for dealing with this waste were appraised and after a public consultation a preferred option was chosen, which was "to meet and exceed the recovery targets by 5% through recycling, composting and digestion with minimum disposal to landfill". Essentially this option will meet and exceed the household waste recycling and composting targets and be achievable within municipal solid waste recovery budgets.

13.41 The preferred waste strategy for the North East for 2016 will involve:

• maximising waste minimisation and re-use;

• meeting household waste recycling targets of 33% by 2015 through recycling and composting;

• meeting a recovery target for municipal solid waste of 72% and a recovery target for commercial and industrial waste of 73% through recycling, composting and anaerobic digestion, with minimum disposal to landfill; and

• increasing the percentage of construction and demolition waste to 80%.

13.42 These are ambitious and challenging targets and because of the need to treat waste in a different way, it is clear that a significant number of new facilities will be required. The number and type of facilities required will vary according to the technologies chosen, so the numbers of facilities required have not been identified. What can be assumed is the general trend for particular facilities: landfill sites should decline in numbers as will transfer stations, with a corresponding increase in material-reducing facilities, aerobic and anaerobic digestion plants, composting facilities and the retention of the energy from waste plant. Opportunities for future technological innovations in waste treatment should also be catered for.

13.43 Planning Policy Statement 10: Planning for Sustainable Waste Management (July 2005) requires the Spatial Strategy to identify the tonnages of waste requiring management for the commercial and industrial and municipal waste sectors. These tonnages are to be apportioned to individual waste planning areas or sub-regions where there is a commitment to work jointly. Although there is no such commitment in the Tyne and Wear sub-region, because of the limitations of data supplied by the Environment Agency, the Submission Draft Regional Spatial Strategy (June 2005) only contains a Tyne and Wear apportionment (see table below). Work is currently underway to further disaggregate these figures to individual authority level.

Management capacity for annual waste arisings in Tyne and Wear (‘000 tonnes).

Year	Municipal solid waste	Commercial and industrial	Construction and demolition
2005/6	885	1622	1887
2006/7	932	1646	1915
2007/8	975	1671	1944
2008/9	1012	1696	1973
2009/10	1040	1721	2003
2010/11	1060	1748	2033
2011/12	1072	1773	2063
2012/13	1078	1800	2094
2013/14	1081	1827	2126
2014/15	1081	1855	2157
2015/16	1081	1883	2190
2016/17	1081	1910	2223
2017/18	1081	1939	2256
2018/19	1081	1969	2290
2019/20	1081	1998	2324
2020/21	1081	2028	2359

13.44 When the waste management capacity figures are broken down by waste planning authority area, the Council will be required to demonstrate how capacity equivalent to at least ten years of the annual rates set down could be provided.

Special and Hazardous Waste

13.45 Special waste includes a range of waste streams that are potentially harmful to human health and the environment. In the future, special waste is to be reclassified as hazardous waste and a wider range of items will be included in its definition. It is predicted that by 2021/22, 671,000 tonnes of hazardous waste will require management in the region. Currently, Tyne and Wear is a net exporter of special and hazardous waste. Because of the specialist nature of such facilities, it is likely that they will be region-wide facilities rather than sub-regional. The majority of this type of waste in the region is produced in Tyne and Wear and Tees Valley. Regional Spatial Strategy therefore requires the majority of these facilities to be developed in these two parts of the region.

GATESHEAD SITUATION

13.46 The latest figures provided by the Environment Agency estimate that total arisings of controlled waste in Gateshead in 2003/4 were 736,354 tonnes. Of this 120,000 tonnes were categorised as municipal waste. Special (hazardous) waste arisings in 2003 amounted to 27,172 tonnes of which 12,297 tonnes were exported for treatment and 25,579 tonnes were imported. The bulk of the imported special waste was landfilled, the remainder going to short-term transfer stations.

THROUGHPUT AT FACILITIES

13.47 Data produced by the Environment Agency for 2002/3 demonstrated the following level of activity at waste facilities in the borough:

Waste deposited at landfill sites	424,458 tonnes
Throughput at waste transfer stations	100,432 tonnes
Throughput at civic amenity sites	11,295 tonnes
Throughput at treatment facilities	113,735 tonnes
Throughput at incineration facilities	4 tonnes
Throughput at licensed metal recycling facilities	86,430 tonnes

Gateshead is a net importer of non-hazardous waste, including material from outside Tyne and Wear.

13.48 The Environment Agency calculated that at 31st March 2003, there remained 1,891,395 tonnes of licensed landfill capacity in Gateshead. This figure differs quite considerably from that given in para. 13.47 for the amount of landfill with planning permission. This is because landfill sites are generally filled on a cell basis and operators frequently only seek a waste permit for the particular cell they are working at that point in time, leaving the remainder of the cell unlicensed and therefore not accounted for in their calculations.

POLICY APPROACH

13.49 Although the waste hierarchy identifies landfill as the least preferred waste disposal method, there will be occasions when it provides benefits to the borough. Examples include tipping for agricultural improvement or the need to restore worked- out sites and the fact that they have planning permission for landfill. Because of the existence of large voids which the Council wishes to restore, and which have planning permission, landfill will remain a major disposal option in Gateshead in the short to medium term.

EXISTING FACILITIES

Landfill

13.50 The bulk of landfill capacity in Tyne and Wear lies within Gateshead. Guidance states that the role of each individual authority is to make provision for waste management sufficient for it to fulfil its regional commitment and this may mean that some authorities will remain net importers of waste and others net exporters. Gateshead is prepared in the short-term for this to continue, because of its desire to see the early restoration of the landscape in the areas of the borough currently affected by mineral extraction and landfill.

MWR18 The quarries listed below are allocated for landfill and will be reclaimed by filling with imported, off-site waste material and/or quarry spoil to produce a visually acceptable landform compatible with the appropriate after-uses listed. The proposed landform and the after-uses will be reviewed progressively by the Council during the life of the individual site.

18.1 Blaydon Quarry: woodland/amenity

18.2 Crawcrook Quarry South and Central: agriculture/woodland/amenity/wildlife habitat

18.3 Burnhills Quarry: agriculture/woodland/amenity/wildlife habitat

18.4 Path Head Quarry: lowland heath/amenity/wildlife habitat

13.51 The sites listed in this policy are the four former or existing mineral extraction sites with planning permission for landfill combined with reclamation schemes. Blaydon Quarry, with four to five million cubic metres of landfill capacity, and Crawcrook Quarry, with one million cubic metres, are current mineral extraction sites; the use of Crawcrook Quarry for landfill has however been deferred for the time being. Blaydon Quarry is currently being landfilled and Crawcrook Quarry will become available for landfill during the plan period.

13.52 Burnhills Quarry is an active landfill site that has largely been completed, with 240,000 cubic metres of remaining capacity at June 2005.

13.53 Planning permission for the filling, restoration and landscaping of the excavated void at Path Head was granted in March 2005. It will provide 4.7 million cubic metres of landfill capacity. Path Head was part of a large derelict sand and gravel quarry reclaimed in association with the construction of the Ryton/Crawcrook By-pass. Two planning permissions were granted in the late 1980s for the extraction of sand, gravel and fireclay with the subsequent stabilisation of highway land and the creation of a landfill void. Mineral extraction ceased in the winter of 1992. The southern part of the site was reclaimed as a woodland park and Path Head was prepared as a major long-term landfill site accessed directly from the by-pass.

FURTHER LANDFILL SITES

MWR19 Permission will not be granted for further landfill sites during the plan period, other than the provisions made in policy MWR18, unless there are exceptional circumstances.

13.54 Over 11 million cubic metres of voidspace are available for landfill in the plan period. This is a substantial commitment and no additional sites will be allocated.

13.55 The exceptional circumstances could include instances when certain types of waste arisings cannot be accommodated at allocated sites or when further mineral extraction, not presently foreseen, is unable to achieve an acceptable standard of reclamation without the importation of waste. Should exceptional circumstances arise any planning permission would be dealt with in the context of policies GDC1, MWR1 to MWR5, MWR19, MWR21 and MWR22 for the protection of the environment and local amenity.

Landfill Location Policy

13.56 The Environment Agency has developed a policy relating to the location of landfill sites to ensure the protection of vulnerable groundwaters. Essentially, the policy states that the Environment Agency will object to new landfill sites which are to be located on a major aquifer, within Source Protection Zones I or II or which are below the water table in any strata where groundwater provides an important contribution to river flow or other sensitive surface waters. Gateshead does not lie on a major aquifer or within Source Protection Zones I or II. However, it is important to protect all groundwater from pollution. Therefore, in considering new sites for landfill, applicants will be required to submit a risk assessment to demonstrate that consideration has been given to potential impacts.

MWR20 The Council will require applicants for new landfill sites to submit a risk assessment on the potential impact of the proposal on vulnerable groundwaters. Proposals for landfill or landraising will not be permitted below the water table in any strata where groundwater provides an important contribution to river flow or other sensitive surface waters, unless the risk assessment demonstrates that active long-term site management is not essential to prevent groundwater pollution.

AGRICULTURAL TIPPING

MWR21 Proposals for landraising by the importation of waste for agricultural improvement will be considered on their individual merits, but landraising of greenfield sites for waste disposal purposes will not be permitted.

13.57 The tipping of waste generated on the same site at agricultural premises, solely for the purpose of agricultural improvement, does not require planning permission. However there are an increasing number of occurrences of unlawful tipping of off-site material imported primarily for the purpose of waste disposal, on open land, usually in agricultural use. The need to safeguard the environment, coupled with the adequate provision of alternative operational landfill capacity, makes such disposal unacceptable.

WASTE MANAGEMENT FACILITIES.

13.58 There is already significant waste treatment activity in the borough but it is still essential that new facilities for the alternative treatment of waste generated in the borough are developed to meet recycling and recovery targets. Current activities in Gateshead range from simple transfer stations and waste storage to the manufacture of products from waste; the production of soil and sub soil; on-farm composting; the re-use of excavation, construction and demolition waste; the use of waste as fuel; crushing of waste bricks; sludge recovery; metal recovery and recycling. These activities are distributed across the borough primarily on existing employment sites.

13.59 Planning Policy Statement 10 (see para. 13.43) advises that local authorities should demonstrate how capacity equivalent to at least ten years of the annual rates set out in Regional Spatial Strategy could be provided. As the rates have not yet been disaggregated to individual waste planning authority areas in the Submission Draft Regional Spatial Strategy, it is premature to attempt to do so. However, the Council can indicate some locations where applications for specified sustainable waste management facilities would be acceptable.

MWR22 The following sites are allocated for sustainable waste activities:

MWR22.1 UBU site at Derwenthaugh – mechanical biological treatment,

MWR22.2 Central Nursery site at Whickham Highway – small-scale green composting, on part of the site, in association with other horticultural activities.

13.60 In addition, a number of waste management activities fall within B1, B2 and B8 of the Use Classes Order and could be suitably located on existing primary and secondary employment sites, subject to compliance with GDC1 and other environmental considerations (see policies JE1 to JE3). Concentrations of waste management activities already exist on employment sites at Blaydon/Derwenthaugh, East Gateshead and Felling. Further facilities of this type could be directed to these employment areas.

MWR23 Waste recycling facilities that contribute to the provision of an integrated and adequate network of waste management facilities will be permitted in appropriate locations, subject to the minimisation of any detrimental effects on the environment and on local amenity.

13.61 Locations that might be suitable for waste management activities could include sites that are:

• within or adjacent to compatible land uses such as Materials Recycling Facilities (MRFs), waste storage depots, minerals processing plants, open storage, or sewage works;

• readily accessible from the primary road network, or a rail or water link, avoiding as far as possible major residential areas;

• allocated for development; or

• on derelict and contaminated land.

MUNICIPAL WASTE

13.62 Municipal waste arisings in 2004/5 were 120,000 tonnes and that represented about 16% of total controlled waste arisings in the borough. Although the Council is increasing the amount of municipal solid waste recycled and achieved a rate of 16% in 2004/5, the remainder is still sent to landfill. However, as part of negotiations for a new waste disposal contract, the Council is investigating a range of options for the sustainable treatment of municipal waste in the future. Depending on the outcome of this exercise, it may be necessary to identify specific sites for facilities, such as aerobic digesters.

FACILITIES

13.63 The Council has a range of facilities and services that are designed to contribute to more sustainable treatment of waste.

Waste Reception and Recycling Sites

13.64 There are two waste reception and recycling sites for residents, covering the east of the borough at the Campground in Wrekenton (which actually lies within the boundary of the City of Sunderland) and the west of the borough at Cowen Road in Blaydon.

Central Nursery Composting Facility

13.65 This site was used for a successful pilot project for on-site composting and green waste processing and would be suitable for future use for this type of activity.

Recycling Banks

13.66 There are 31 recycling banks at locations throughout the borough, where glass, textiles, tins, newspapers and magazines are collected.

SERVICES

Kerbside Recycling for Dry Recyclables

13.67 The Council provides a kerbside recycling service (“Kerb-it”) for paper, cans and glass for 85,000 households.

Kerb-side Recycling for Green Garden Waste

13.68 The Council provides a green garden waste recycling service (“Green-it”) to approximately 55,000 households. It also makes available subsidised home composting bins.

Bulky Goods Collection

13.69 As part of its bulky goods collection, the Council recycles chlorofluorocarbons from refrigerators and freezers and recycles the metal content of these and other white goods. It also operates a kerbside recycling scheme. In addition, in 2001, there were nine waste transfer stations in the borough, six recycling facilities, and twelve metal recycling facilities.

WASTE FACILITIES IN THE GREEN BELT

MWR24 The use of land and construction of new buildings in the Green Belt for waste disposal and treatment facilities, including sewage treatment works, will only be permitted provided that there is no conflict with policy ENV37, the proposal is consistent with the waste strategy and there is no suitable alternative site outside the Green Belt.

13.70 The majority of waste treatment facilities will most suitably be located in existing employment areas. More exceptionally, other waste facilities, including sewage treatment works, may be appropriate in rural locations where they might meet specific waste disposal/treatment needs of the local area or assist farm diversification. However environmental factors such as Green Belt, landscape quality and character and impact on local amenity will be significant in determining the suitability of rural schemes. Locations outside the urban area that might be considered acceptable would be existing or unrestored minerals sites where waste facilities would assist in the restoration of degraded or derelict land. In addition, sites in the Green Belt in Gateshead could enable waste originating locally to be disposed of in one of the nearest appropriate installations, and are more likely to be acceptable if they use land already used for waste management purposes or were previously developed land, or re-used existing buildings. However, in Green Belt locations applicants would still have to demonstrate that their proposals were not inappropriate development. The first test would always be whether there was a suitable alternative site not in the Green Belt.

INCINERATION, BALING AND TRANSFER STATIONS

MWR25 Baling plants, transfer stations, waste incinerators and other waste treatment plants will only be permitted in environmentally acceptable locations with adequate access and site screening. In determining planning applications, the protection of the countryside, residential areas and water quality, the prevention of pollution and health hazards and the need to mitigate adverse impacts arising from contamination, air pollution and noise will be particularly relevant.

13.71 As it becomes more common for waste to be re-used and recovered the pre-treatment of waste will become correspondingly more important. It is likely that there will be demand for more, smaller sites.

RECYCLING

MWR26 The recycling of all recyclable waste materials will be promoted and encouraged in the interests of conserving the environment and fulfilling Landfill Directive targets. Collection facilities will be provided in suitable locations such as residential areas, waste reception sites, large retail developments and sites adjacent to public buildings. Scrapyards and similar or ancillary uses will not be permitted where they would unacceptably affect the amenities of an area. Where scrapyards are permitted, effective screening will be a pre-requisite to development.

13.72 The Landfill Directive, the waste hierarchy, Best Value Performance Indicators and recycling targets have raised the importance of recycling as a waste treatment option. It is therefore essential that appropriate facilities to encourage this activity and recover value from waste are positively promoted.

WASTE RECEPTION SITES

MWR27 Waste reception sites will be developed at convenient locations for the public to deposit waste and recyclable materials. Sites will be located so as to minimise environmental impact on neighbouring residents or businesses and traffic problems on local roads.

13.73 There are already two waste reception sites at Blaydon and Wrekenton. There are locations in the Borough for which these sites are not convenient. However, to encourage opportunities for behavioural change and to assist in limiting fly-tipping, further sites will be identified with the objective of providing a waste reception site within a three mile radius of every Gateshead resident.

PROVISION OF FACILITIES IN NEW DEVELOPMENTS

MWR28 The provision of appropriate waste sorting, recovery and recycling facilities will be required in the following circumstances:

1. developments of 100 or more houses;

2. new developments, redevelopment or refurbishment of shopping centres or facilities where the floorspace of existing or new development amounts to 500 square metres or more;

3. major transport, leisure, recreation, tourist or community facilities; and

4. appropriate smaller developments which frequently attract a significant number of people (for example community or shopping schemes).

13.74 The waste hierarchy specifies reduction and re-use as the most preferred means of dealing with waste. Individuals must be provided with every opportunity and encouragement to modify their behaviour and contribute to fulfilment of landfill diversion targets. To encourage maximum participation in waste minimisation, the Council will seek the provision of sorting, recovery and recycling facilities in new developments.

LANDFILL GAS

MWR29 Wherever possible landfill gas should be treated as an energy resource. It should be safely utilised in an environmentally acceptable manner. The Council will discourage the passive venting of landfill gas.

13.75 Close attention will be paid to the effect and treatment of landfill gas. The possible production of landfill gas from closed, existing and proposed landfill sites is now the subject of extensive consultation through the planning process. Sites that produce landfill gas are normally vented, either passively or positively. Opportunities exist to use landfill gas as an energy resource and should be encouraged.

MWR30 Should any landfill site be considered to have the capacity to produce landfill gas in the future requiring the introduction of a flare stack venting mechanism, this measure should form part of an agreed reclamation proposals plan.

13.76 Positive venting may require the installation of flare stacks. The provision of such a facility should be considered at the planning application stage and should be accommodated in land reclamation proposals so as to cause minimal environmental disturbance.

RENEWABLE ENERGY AND SUSTAINABLE BUILDING CONSTRUCTION

13.77 The Council seeks to support sustainable forms of development that minimise demand for energy, use energy more efficiently, increase the amount of energy derived from renewable energy resources and minimise the environmental effects of continuing use of fossil fuels. The Council seeks to promote and encourage a full range of renewable energy sources within the borough, recognising the need to accommodate the growth of renewable energy at a commercial scale to support the Renewables Obligation, and the importance of small scale projects particularly their environmental and economic benefits. “Planning for Renewable Energy: a Companion Guide to PPS22” (Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, 2004) provides detailed guidance on the complex issues associated with the different forms of renewable energy technology and their application in different environments, which should be referred to by all stakeholders involved with renewable energy.

13.78 National energy policy seeks to tackle climate change and to encourage a more sustainable approach to energy generation and use. The Energy White Paper, “Our Energy Our Future - creating a low carbon economy” (February 2003) sets out the target of 10% of electricity to be generated from renewable energy sources by 2010 and 20% of the UK’s electricity to come from renewable sources by 2020. This follows the Government’s commitment to the Kyoto Protocol, which legally binds the UK to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 12.5% below 1990 levels by 2012 and address concerns about the declining indigenous supplies. The aim is to put the UK on the path to cut its carbon dioxide emissions by some 60% by 2050, with real progress by 2020. Subsequently, the Energy White Paper “Meeting the Energy Challenge” was published in May 2007. This reinforced the Government’s commitment to tackling climate change and strengthening the security and affordability of energy supplies. It is expected that the Climate Change bill will set out a series of legally binding targets for reducing carbon dioxide emissions. The draft bill requires a 60 per cent reduction by 2050 and a reduction of between 26 and 32 per cent by 2020.

13.79 Renewable energy projects should maximise local benefits and foster community involvement at all stages of development, with the level of involvement varying according to the type and significance of the proposal. Proposals for renewable energy will complement the activities of Local Agenda 21 Strategy. The Environment Partnership of Gateshead Strategic Partnership, LA21 Community Group and LA21 Forum provide suitable arenas for consultation with local representatives regarding renewable energy proposals.

13.80 The North East Renewable Energy Group (NEREG) has supported the preparation of the North East Regional Renewable Energy Strategy (RRES) (March 2005, TNEI Services). The RRES is an important regional document that assesses the region's renewable energy resources and estimates the contribution towards national targets, forming the basis for the draft Regional Spatial Strategy. RRES concludes that it may be possible for the region to produce 13% of the electricity it consumes by 2010 from onshore renewable resources and perhaps 17% of consumption by 2020, of which onshore wind projects will be a major contributor. The RRES identifies that the region should pioneer the development of heat-only renewable energy particularly using biomass following the Biomass Action Plan, and the growth of solar technologies within new development within Tyne and Wear. The Submission Draft RSS has taken forward the RRES by setting a minimum target for renewable energy generation of at least 454MW up to 2010, 10% of the region’s energy consumption. The Submission Draft RSS policy 40 has identified that 22MW of the regional target should be generated in Tyne and Wear which Gateshead will seek to contribute towards. The Submission Draft RSS policy 40 requires that plans and planning proposals should aspire to further increase renewable electricity generation to achieve 20% of regional consumption by 2020.

RENEWABLE ENERGY GENERATION

MWR31 Development proposals to generate energy from a full range of renewable energy sources, regardless of scale, will be encouraged to facilitate the renewable energy generation of 22MW within Tyne and Wear to 2010.

In assessing proposals for renewable energy development, significant weight should be given to the wider environmental, economic and social benefits.

Proposals for renewable energy generation must also comply with policies MWR32, MWR33, MWR34 and MWR35, as appropriate.

13.81 Proposals for renewable energy generation will be encouraged. Planning permission at sites within national designations such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest, listed buildings, scheduled ancient monuments and registered historic parks and gardens will only be granted where it can be demonstrated that the objectives of designation of the area will not be compromised by the development. Proposals for renewable energy within the Green Belt will require careful consideration of the visual impact and to demonstrate very special circumstances that clearly outweigh any harm by reason of inappropriateness having regard to policy ENV37. Such very special circumstances may include the wider environmental benefits associated with increased production of energy from renewable sources. As wind and water energy and to a lesser extent biomass can only be harnessed where it is found in sufficient quantity, the sequential approach to development is considered an inappropriate test for renewable energy.

13.82 In accordance with 1999 Environmental Impact Assessment regulations, an Environmental Impact Assessment may be required for certain renewable energy projects. The environmental and visual impact of new grid connection lines should be limited. Developers should have regard to the ease of connecting the renewable energy generation scheme to the existing grid infrastructure taking account of the latter’s proximity and capacity. The Council will seek to avoid the proliferation of new power lines each serving separate developments, and where appropriate new routes should be shared by a number of renewable electricity projects. The Council will encourage developers to collaborate in the provision of infrastructure. Consideration of landscape and visual effects, particularly for wind and biomass development, will be required as part of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) or separately for smaller renewable energy applications that do not require a full EIA. Developers may be required to undertake an appropriate landscape and visibility assessment following the steps set out in the PPS 22 Companion Guide (see para. 13.77). This may include preparing Zones of Visual Influence, photomontages, scale drawings, and in areas where a number of proposals come forward during the same timescale, or could add to existing developments, cumulative landscape and visual effects assessment. The landscape, and visual, impact should be minimised through appropriate siting, design and landscaping schemes. The “Regional Landscape Appraisal for Onshore Wind Development” (July 2003), which informed the RRES, should be used as starting point where appropriate.

13.83 Aside from the environmental benefits in terms of reducing carbon emissions, improving air quality and utilising waste, renewable energy proposals can provide numerous local economic and social benefits. As identified within the Regional Economic Strategy the growth of the renewable energy sector provides a significant opportunity for job creation and research and development supported by the New and Renewable Energy Centre (NaREC). In addition, renewable energy proposals can provide tourism potential, support farm diversification, increase the security of supply and provide cheaper fuel bills through integrated energy generation. Renewable energy proposals may also give rise to social benefits such as providing direct employment in rural areas, and providing a source of community pride and educational opportunities. The wider environmental and economic benefits of all proposals for renewable energy projects, whatever their scale, are material considerations that should be given significant weight in determining whether proposals should be granted planning permission.

ONSHORE WIND RESOURCES

MWR32 Development of wind turbines will be subject to the following criteria:

1. a landscape and visual impact assessment should be undertaken including Zones of Visual Influence and, where appropriate, an assessment of cumulative landscape and visual effects;

2. no unacceptable impact upon airport, radar and aircraft operation should arise as a result of the proposed development;

3. satisfactory arrangements should be made for access for delivery and maintenance, and provision should be made for the removal of the facilities and reinstatement of the site, should all or part of it become non operational;

4. the proposal should have no adverse impact upon bird species and their habitats;

5. the noise levels of the development should be acceptable, particularly around noise-sensitive developments;

6. interference with electromagnetic transmission from the development should be acceptably mitigated;

7. shadow flicker and reflected light from the proposed development should not have an adverse impact upon neighbouring residences; and

8. the proposed development should accommodate safe separation distances from other wind turbines, occupied buildings, roads, railways, public rights of way and power lines.

13.84 The RRES identifies onshore wind as the region’s most significant resource and therefore the delivery of regional renewable energy targets relies substantially upon the contribution from wind energy generation. Although there are currently no proposals for onshore wind power generation within the borough, there is, based on the RRES, a modest capacity to accommodate onshore wind turbines. All parties engaged in the process of identifying possible sites with the capacity for wind turbines should use the studies that informed the RRES as a starting point to inform the location and design of their proposals. The RRES includes a range of studies: a Geographical Information System Model that identifies the areas free of most constraints on wind turbine development; a Landscape Appraisal for Onshore Wind Development that identifies landscape character areas and assesses their sensitivity to wind turbine development, a Grid Study and an Urban Wind Study.

13.85 The RRES identifies a potential for small wind farms, particularly on the urban fringe, in Gateshead’s Green Belt in the west of the Borough. All these sites are on high ground with good wind speeds in excess of 7.5m/s that may be commercially attractive. However, all these sites are in line of sight from Newcastle Airport and Brizlee Wood MoD radar, which could inhibit development in the short to medium term. Developers should have regard to the mapping of aeronautical constraints which has been prepared for Government Office North East. Based upon the findings of RRES it envisaged that the borough has the capacity to generate 10MW on the basis of a maximum of two of the identified sites coming forward in way that does not compromise the overall openness of the Green Belt and thereby contribute to the regional target of policy 40 of the Submission Draft RSS. The Council would also wish to consider the development of sites in its area in relation to any proposals in neighbouring authorities.

13.86 The RRES work does not go into the level of detail that should be undertaken by the developer or take account of locally significant constraints e.g. microwave links, access, detailed terrain, location of nearby trees, services and effects on bird habitats. It will be necessary for developers to undertake a visual impact assessment including changes to the existing baseline of visual amenity, Zones of Visual Influence, wireframes and photomontages. The developers will also be required to undertake a landscape impact assessment that should have regard to policy ENV39, the findings of the Landscape Character Study referred to in para 11.77 once this has been adopted by the Council, and the RRES Landscape Appraisal. In areas where there are number of existing or proposed wind development schemes, developers will be required to consider the cumulative impact. Wind development should be located and designed in such a way so that any impact on ambient noise around noise-sensitive developments is kept to acceptable levels with relation to existing background noise. Normally ‘The Assessment and Rating of Noise from Wind Farms’ Report (ETSU-R-97) should be used to assess and rate noise from wind energy development. It is the responsibility of the developers to address any potential impacts, taking account of Civil Aviation Authority, Ministry of Defence and National Air Traffic services guidance in relation to radar and aviation, OFCOM regarding electromagnetic interference and the legislative requirements for separation distances before planning applications are submitted. In accordance with Schedule 2.3(i) to the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, the Council will screen applications for the need for EIA where the development involves the installation of more than two turbines, or the hub height of any turbine or height of any structure exceeds 15 metres.

RENEWABLE ENERGY GENERATION FROM BIOMASS AND WASTE

MWR33 Proposals for renewable energy generation based on biomass (including dry biomass power plants, anaerobic digestion facilities, advanced thermal treatment plants and ancillary buildings and structures) will be subject to the following criteria:

1. the proposed development:

   1. would be required to install adequate odour controls;

   2. ishould not harm local ecology;

   3. should prevent pollution and should mitigate against emissions to the air, ground and watercourses by means of appropriate handling, storage and disposal facilities for waste gas, ash, dust, carbon, liquid effluent, solid residues and digestates; and

   4. should prevent health hazards and incorporate mitigation measures, particularly to ensure the safe handling of waste feedstock and by products that include parasites and pathogens;

2. the proximity of biomass/waste plant to the feedstock source and fuel consumer should cause no adverse impact upon traffic generated due to the transportation of feedstock and/or fuel;

3. the visual intrusion of the biomass/waste storage, sorting, processing and generating facilities, including buildings, chimney stacks and tanks, should be minimised and the proposal should include adequate screening;

4. proposals that utilise waste should be in accordance with policies MWR16 and MWR17; and

5. the location of anaerobic digestion facilities development should reflect the scale of activity and the source of feedstock, that is:

   • small-scale on farm slurry digesters should where possible be located within existing farm complexes;

   • sewage sludge digesters should be located within wastewater treatment works; and

   • large scale CADs should be located within existing industrial or wastewater treatment works or in the case of MSW feedstock in close proximity to landfill sites or waste transfer stations.

13.87 The region’s Biomass Action Plan prepared for the Environmental Industries Federation (2003) is concerned to stimulate a new renewable energy heat market. The Council recognises the role of the planning system can play in supporting biomass development, despite its anticipated modest energy contributions. There are a range of sources of biomass fuel supply including dry biomass and non-woody biomass. The planning requirements vary according the source of biomass and processes for generating heat and electricity. Policy MWR33 only applies to biomass as defined in the glossary, which is consistent with the definition adopted by the Renewables Obligation 2002; or advanced conversion technologies such as pyrolysis and gasification. Therefore policy MWR33 is not applicable to conventional waste incinerators.

13.88 Applicants will need to be aware that the pollution control system regulates the technical details of the waste management activity mainly the through the Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control regime.

Dry biomass

13.89 There is potential for the production of energy from dry biomass within the borough given the proximity to commercial production forests of Chopwell and the emerging range of available woody feedstocks including small round wood, energy crops and clean waste wood such as from urban tree coppicing. There is most potential for small-scale biomass plant-fuelled micro- or mini- Combined Heat and Power (CHP) units for domestic or community heating schemes, particularly within urban areas which have pockets of high density heat load and remote areas not served by mains gas. There are currently no proposals for power stations which would export power beyond the borough, although there may be potential within the rural areas of the borough for a small power station located in or close to major sources of wood fuel, especially if development was supported by grid infrastructure provided by wind turbines. The production of energy from dry biomass may be beneficial to the local economy and contribute towards rural diversification, in terms of generating income for farmers, foresters and transport operators. The location of energy exporting biomass-fuelled power stations will require due consideration of the proximity to feedstock, transport requirements, the potential to use heat generated, proximity to the customer and grid connection. Planning permission will be required for most dry biomass energy production plant except for small domestic heating schemes and small biomass energy plants on farms where the plant is incorporated into existing agricultural buildings, if this form of development is considered as Permitted Development. Small or medium scale heat or electricity plant may require planning permission for its chimney stack.

Non-woody biomass

13.90 Non-woody biomass sources such as sewage sludge, animal slurry and industrial and municipal biodegradable wastes involve the extraction of energy heat and/or electricity through biological process of anaerobic digestion and thermal processes. It is essential that non-woody biomass is seen in the context of the borough’s waste management practices. Developments that use waste to produce energy may require an Environmental Impact Assessment.

Biogas

13.91 Biogas is generated from concentrations of farm slurry and sewage sludge. Biogas can be used to fuel a generator, supply heating systems or CHP or serve a range of industrial applications. The anaerobic process takes place in a sealed airless container (the digester) that is warmed for conversion of organic matter into biogas to take place. The gas generated is collected in a storage tank, with any excess gas flared off. The anaerobic process also results in by products i.e. liquors and solid organic materials (digestate), which will be required to be safely disposed of and may require further treatment.

13.92 Many anaerobic plants will be located close to the source of waste. The locational and development requirements for producing biogas and generating energy varies depending upon the scale of activity and the source of feedstock. The Council will give careful consideration to the potential impacts of odours from proposed anaerobic digestion plants and the measures to mitigate their control. In cases where odour would have an impact, such plants should not be located in close proximity to existing residential areas. Small-scale farm slurry digesters should wherever possible be located within the existing farm complexes and transport movements are unlikely to add to existing farm activities. Sewage sludge digesters may be built in conjunction with new or existing wastewater treatment works, integrating with treatment works plant. Centralised Anaerobic Digesters (CADs) handling large quantities of agricultural wastes, sewage sludge or Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) are often more economically viable for plant operators, but have the potential to raise more complex siting issues. There are currently no proposals for CADs in the borough. The most acceptable sites are likely to be beside existing industrial or wastewater treatment works or in the case of digestion schemes using MSW, in close proximity to landfill sites or waste transfer stations. The traffic generated by the delivery of feedstock and the distribution of the fuel product to the local market will require careful management through fuel supply logistics.

13.93 Planning permission may be given to a scheme specifying a certain feedstock. It is acknowledged that some biogas production and energy generation will be considered as permitted development in terms of small plants incorporated into existing agricultural buildings and development by or on behalf of sewerage undertakers.

Landfill gas

13.94 Landfill gas arises from waste deposited underground in landfill sites as the biodegradable organic waste decomposes anaerobically. Although in the long term changes to waste management practices will result in a reduction in landfill, landfill remains a significant means of waste disposal and existing sites will remain biologically active for decades to come. Landfill gas is currently extracted from Kibblesworth Quarry and Burnhills Quarry. It is anticipated that landfill gas will be extracted from Path Head Quarry, Crawcrook Quarry and Blaydon Quarry in the future. Regard should be had to policies MWR 29 and MWR30.

Advanced thermal treatment

13.95 Advanced thermal treatment provides an additional means of recovering energy from waste, and it may constitute renewable energy under the Renewables Obligation. Waste is heated at high temperatures and a useable charcoal and/or gas is produced that can be burned in boilers, engines or turbines to generate heat and power. There are two new technologies for advanced thermal treatment: pyrolysis and gasification. The new technology is inherently cleaner than incineration as the processes can create much lower levels of contaminants in the exhaust gas. There may be increasing opportunities for these plants to be installed at a smaller scale within commercial installations. In order to minimise the adverse environmental effects of transporting waste, they should be located close to the waste source. The Council will expect developers to control safely the disposal of liquid effluent, dust, odour and ash from the thermal treatment process. Developments that use waste to produce energy may require an EIA.

HYDRO-POWER

MWR34 Proposals for mini hydro-power will be subject the following criteria:

1. the siting, design and scale of the hydro scheme should not adversely impact on the visual and recreation amenity of the river and surrounding area;

2. the proposed development should have no adverse impact upon the riverine ecology and should include appropriate design measures for the protection of fisheries; and

3. the proposed development should have no adverse impact upon the hydrology of the river.

13.96 The borough’s rivers do not offer large scale hydro-power resources; however there may be a number of sites with the potential for a mini-water turbine, such as on the river Derwent at Derwenthaugh Park. These are anticipated to be ‘run of river schemes’ where water is taken from behind a low weir on a river, and have the potential to generate electricity within the range 100kW to 500kW. The waterside locations of small hydro developments may place proposals within areas valued for their visual and natural amenity. It is important that the design of proposed schemes is in harmony with the landscape and the scheme does not harm recreational amenity or impede public access to the river. The effect of abstraction of water on the riverine ecology will require consideration by the developer to establish the impact on the habitats and species, of changes to river regime and water quality and incorporate measures to design out impacts. In particular, the developer will be required to give careful consideration to the design to reduce the risk to migratory fish.

13.97 Environmental Impact Assessment may be required by the Environment Agency as part of the application for an Abstraction Licence. In addition, the Council will screen applications for the requirement for an EIA, which is likely to be determined by the proposal’s generating capacity and whether it is located in a sensitive area.

MICRO-RENEWABLES, ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND SUSTAINABLE DESIGN

MWR35 The inclusion of the following measures to improve energy efficiency, minimise energy and resource consumption, and embed renewable energy generation and sustainable design within new and existing buildings will be encouraged by the Council, subject to the impact on the amenity and character of the local environment and policies DC1, DC2, DC3, DC4, MWR31, MWR32 and MWR33:

1. energy efficiency and conservation measures such as roof and wall insulation, window improvements, condensing boilers, high efficiency lighting, Combined Heat and Power, community heating/heat networks;

2. passive solar design such as layout, orientation, window and conservatory/ atrium design, natural ventilation and lighting and thermal buffering;

3. small-scale renewable energy technologies such as solar panels, biomass heating, small-scale wind turbines, photovoltaic cells and ground source heat pumps; and

4. use of sustainable materials and measures to minimise water consumption.

The Council will require developers to demonstrate how major development will generate a proportion of the site’s electricity or heat needs from renewables, wherever feasible. The Council will expect all development (new build and conversion) with a floorspace of 1,000m2 or 10 or more residential units to incorporate renewable energy production equipment to provide at least 10% of predicted energy requirements, subject to the type of development proposed, its location and design.

All new development or redevelopment of existing buildings will require measures to achieve high energy efficiency and minimise consumption so that they achieve BREEAM and Eco Homes very good or excellent rating.

13.98 The Council seeks to minimise energy consumption and reduce carbon emissions within the borough through the embedding of renewable energy technologies, incorporation of sustainable design principles and the installation of energy efficiency measures for non-residential and residential buildings. These will ensure long-term cost savings through efficiency gains and minimise negative environmental impacts, and ensure occupiers take responsibility for their own energy consumption.

Micro-renewables

13.99 It is important to discontinue the links between economic growth and energy use. There is a need for renewable energy to be taken into account within new housing, commercial and industrial developments. Integrating micro-renewable energy projects into new buildings and retrofitting of existing buildings, especially within the borough’s urban built-up areas, can make a valuable contribution towards the overall outputs of renewable energy within Tyne and Wear and raise awareness and acceptance of renewables. The significance of the generation of electricity on site is anticipated to increase in the future as the technology becomes more economically viable. It is anticipated that a range of renewable energy technologies are suitable for Gateshead including photovoltaics (roof top and cladding) and dedicated wind turbines within the curtilage of industrial, community and domestic development. The significance of non-electricity renewable energy such as biomass- fuelled domestic and district heating plants, solar hot water power and ground heat pumps is anticipated to grow in significance. The Council has sought to raise awareness and promote the integration of renewable energy through a number of its developments including the installation of photovoltaics into Gateshead International Business Centre, and a ground source heat pump system at Blackhall Mill Community Centre. The Council will expect developers of major developments to demonstrate the feasibility of generating a proportion of the site’s electricity or heat needs from small scale renewables. The PPS22 Companion Guide (see para. 13.77) provides guidance regarding the complex issues associated with the different forms of renewable energy technology and their application in different environments. In addition, “Building-in Sustainability: a guide to Sustainable Construction and Development in the North East” provides some practical suggestions for minimising energy in construction and use. The North East Micro-renewables Toolkit has been prepared on behalf of the North East Assembly and One NorthEast to provide guidance for planners and developers regarding embedding on-site renewables to support the implementation of Policy 39e of the Secretary of State’s proposed changes to the draft revised RSS (May 2007). The toolkit provides simplified guidance of the details of European, national, regional and local policy. It also provides a detailed breakdown of the different types of micro-generation technologies that are available and how these should be applied. It also includes a ‘carbon mixer’, which is a computer-based approach to help determine how the development can incorporate 10% embedded renewable energy generation. The mixer calculates the energy requirements for different types of buildings and determines carbon dioxide reductions and the contribution of renewable energy as different technologies are added. The toolkit can be downloaded from the following North East Assembly website: http://www.northeastassembly.gov.uk/document.asp?id=595.

13.100 Developers should consider and discuss energy issues at the earliest possible stage in the development process for major development. Developers should assess the energy demand of the proposed development, taking account of measures to reduce energy use, and then consider the potential contribution of renewable technologies. Prior to submitting a planning application, developers should agree with the Council the on-site renewables to be included. Developers will be required to justify any under-achievement of the on-site renewables target.

Passive solar design

13.101 Passive solar design (PSD) can reduce energy demands for both housing, commercial developments and schools through design principles that capture the maximum light and heat from the sun whilst acting as a buffer against the worst of the elements. The main aspects to consider are the orientation and shape of buildings, the overall site layout to avoid overshadowing, maximising sunlight penetration e.g. window sizing and position and conservatories and atria, thermal buffering to avoid heat losses, heat recovery, and the utilisation of natural ventilation. Consideration should also be given to the ‘future proofing’ of the layout, design and materials of new developments, to ensure the future impact of climate change is borne in mind.

Energy Efficiency

13.102 The Council is keen to support energy efficiency and conservation measures within the built environment such as roof and wall insulation, window improvements, condensing boilers, high efficiency lighting, Combined Heat and Power (CHP) and community heating/heat networks. Energy efficiency measures will be encouraged within new development and existing development, particularly during refurbishment. They are appropriate for residential and non-residential development in order to reduce energy consumption for homeowners/occupiers and businesses. The planning system seeks to support revisions to Part L Building Regulations that will require much tougher energy efficiency ratings, although the implications for the built form or aesthetics are anticipated to be minimal. The Government’s Strategy for Combined Heat and Power to 2010 (DEFRA, 2004) sets out a framework to support the growth of the highly fuel-efficient technology of Combined Heat and Power in a range of sizes and applicable uses, particularly micro- and mini-CHP suitable for dwellings, community heating schemes, and commercial as well as traditional large- scale units. CHP schemes are particularly applicable to uses that require high levels of heat throughout the year such as hospitals, hotels and leisure centres. The Council recognises social and economic benefits of improving energy efficiency as demonstrated through the support for the Gateshead Warm Zone which aims to tackle fuel poverty through subsidised energy efficiency measures within homes.

Sustainable Building

13.103 Sustainable building design that will enable efficient utilisation of energy, water and materials should be incorporated in all development wherever feasible. The ‘Code for Sustainable Homes’ was introduced in England in April 2007 as a voluntary code. It works by awarding new homes a 1 to 6 star rating based on their performance against nine sustainability criteria. It has been developed using the Building Research Establishment’s Eco Homes System. Currently, the minimum standards for Code compliance have been set above the requirements of building regulations. The Government will be proceeding with the implementation of mandatory rating for all new homes to ensure that every home owner knows whether their home has been built to higher environmental standards than the building regulations. The Government is committed to ensuring that in the future new homes funded by the Housing Corporation, developed by English Partnerships and with direct funding from the Government’s housing growth programmes, comply with Level 3 of the Code. A report for NewcastleGateshead HMR Pathfinder “Environmental Sustainability in Housing Materials, Design and Construction: current and future policy” provides practical advice for developers to adopt a more sustainable approach to housing including construction and design, renewable energy use, resource conservation and available grants.

13.104 Building Research Establishment’s Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) is a measure of best practice in environmental performance of offices, industrial units and shops. The performance of buildings is assessed in terms of management, energy use, health and well being, pollution, transport, land use, ecology and water consumption and efficiency. The BREEAM system awards credits for the building’s performance in each area and an overall score is calculated to provide a rating on a scale of ‘pass’, ‘good’, ‘very good’ or ‘excellent’. The Eco Homes Assessment is a version of BREEAM for new, converted or renovated homes, covering both houses and flats. The BREEAM and Eco Homes ratings will assist developers in demonstrating compliance with environmental and planning requirements in accordance with policy 39b of the Secretary of State’s proposed changes to the draft revised RSS (May 2007). BRE will continue to maintain and operate the Eco Homes scheme during the transition to the Code for Sustainable Homes for new homes. It is anticipated by BRE that new Eco Homes registrations can be made up to April 2008 and assessments will need to be completed by April 2012. Currently, Eco Homes will continue to be used for refurbished housing and major conversions in England.

< Previous Chapter | Top of page | Next Chapter >