It’s not unheard of to take up to three years to obtain Planning Permission for a waste or recycling facility. Some unfortunate projects can take far longer.
Obtaining Planning Permission for a waste recycling site is not a quick process. It usually requires extensive technical studies, site plans, and detailed reviews of planning policy. After submission, the Waste Planning Authority (WPA – generally the County Council, the Unitary Authority, or the National Park Authority) needs to consider an application, consult on it, and issue a decision that will likely be made through a Planning Committee.
So why does it take so long, and how can this be improved?
Certain aspects of a waste recycling Planning Application can only be carried out at certain times of the year, and some of these require several surveys to be carried out at intervals. The main aspect, of course, is ecological surveys, such as breeding bird surveys and bat surveys. Transport Assessments can also typically be required to be carried out during school term times when roads are busiest. Following the submission of a Planning Application, an element that is largely out of the applicant’s control is the time taken by the WPA to consult on and ultimately issue a decision on the Application. The WPA will have a target date for determination, but this often goes by, and extensions are sought. Local Authority Planning departments are chronically under-resourced, and delays in the decision-making process should be anticipated.
Despite the above, the time taken to make a Planning Application and receive a decision should not be in the realms of years.
Knowing and deciding what to include in your Planning Application can be streamlined in two ways. Firstly, a suitable Viability Appraisal early on in the site identification process should tell you a lot about the likely constraints a site may have, the surveys that may be required, and inform you of some potential mitigation strategies if necessary.
Secondly, although potentially adding to timescales initially, Pre-Application advice from the WPA can be invaluable, and this should not be seen as just another additional delay. It will provide the WPA’s in-principle position on your proposals and a list of what they expect to be included in your Application. This can then be used to your advantage in your Application.
Once you’ve submitted your Planning Application, knowing when to say no is another fundamental element that can speed up the decision-making process. You must remember that some consultees will not have extensive knowledge of the waste industry, as it is not their area of expertise. Therefore, on occasion, further information or surveys are requested that are simply not necessary. This does not mean refusing to provide anything further; it is about working with the WPA proactively. A discussion with the case officer can often remove the requirement to carry out further unnecessary work. However, always have evidence to defend your position, be it this policy, guidance, or law.
Be aware that even if the WPA is content that all necessary information has been provided, the Application may need to go to a Planning Committee, where Councillors will make the final decision, which doesn’t always follow the Planning Officer’s recommendation. So, what is the best way to navigate through the planning process? Make use of Viability Assessments and Pre-Application advice. Liaise with the WPA during the process and be clear in responses. Avoid contradictions in your planning application. Finally, productive community engagement should be carried out to avoid unnecessary objections and clashes at committee meetings.
