Proposed schedule of main modifications

Delete paragraphs 5.48 to 5.52 and replace with the following text:

'The WNA does not identify a need for additional waste management capacity for hazardous waste. It is predicted that approximately 108,00 tonnes of hazardous waste will be generated within the Plan area in 2038 with sufficient capacity to manage 180,000 tonnes of hazardous waste per year. For other waste streams such as agricultural and mining waste, which are produced in relatively small quantities, the WNA concludes that these are capable of being manged within existing facilities and that no additional capacity would be needed to handle these wastes in future.

In addition to waste recycling, recovery and disposal facilities, waste transfer stations also play an important intermediary role in waste management. Their primary function is to sort and bulk up waste into more efficient loads before moving the waste on to a final destination (e.g. recycling, energy from waste or landfill). Waste transfer capacity is not therefore included in Tables 11 and 12 above to avoid double counting. The WNA concludes that there is currently sufficient transfer capacity to manage 750,000 tonnes of HIC waste and 260,000 tonnes of CD&E waste per year. If it is assumed that the same proportion of waste will be managed by transfer stations in future, there will still be a surplus of waste transfer capacity for both HIC and CD&E waste by the end of the Plan.

Meeting capacity requirements

During the development of the Plan, several options were explored during the Issues and Options stage about how to ensure sufficient capacity in the Plan area over the Plan period. One of the options included allocating specific sites and so a 'call for sites' was undertaken at the Issues and Options stage. However, due to the limited number of sites put forward, it was not possible to make an objective comparison of a range of possible sites. Considering this and the representations received, the Plan took forward a similar approach to the previous Waste Core Strategy to contain a criteria-based policy which to judge future waste management proposals (Policy DM1). The policy sets out the types of locations that are likely to be considered suitable for the different types of waste use and offers flexibility to the changing waste industry.

As shown in Table 11 and 12 above, based on the preferred high recycling scenario for each waste stream overall there is sufficient capacity in the Plan area to handle the equivalent of Nottinghamshire and Nottingham's waste arisings. As detailed in Chapter 6 of the WNA, the Plan area is a net importer of waste and so is net self-sufficient.

Tables 11 and 12 show there is sufficient recycling/ composting capacity to manage the equivalent of the Plan area's HIC and CD&E waste up to 2038. There is also sufficient disposal capacity for the disposal of CD&E waste based upon the assumption that 5% of CD&E waste arisings will be landfilled. However, there is insufficient capacity in the Plan area to handle forecasted residual waste arisings for HIC waste which would be treated via energy recovery or disposal.

In relation to energy recovery, there is forecasted capacity gap which decreases over the Plan period from 177,181 tonnes per annum to 53,669 tonnes per annum by 2038 under the high recycling scenario. This fall in capacity requirement reflects the forecasted increase in recycling in the Plan area, which would in turn decrease the amount of residual waste for energy recovery.

When calculating the capacity gap for energy recovery, as per National Planning Practice Guidance only operational capacity in the Plan area has been included. There is further permitted energy recovery capacity, totalling 732,100 tonnes per annum, in the Plan area which is yet to be implemented. This arises from the permissions to add further capacity at the existing Eastcroft Facility in Nottingham City (additional 140,000 tonnes per annum) and for two new facilities at Bilsthorpe (120,000 tonnes per annum) and Ratcliffe on Soar (472,100 tonnes per annum). If these sites are implemented, this would sufficiently address the capacity gap for energy recovery and could also potentially reduce landfill disposal requirements for residual waste which is suitable for energy recovery.

Currently, waste which is exported out of the plan area for energy recovery primarily to go to facilities located in Sheffield and Wakefield as per waste contract agreements. Both Waste Planning Authorities agree that due to the strategic and commercial nature of these sites, there is no issue with the continuation of these waste movements.

The forecasted energy recovery capacity gap therefore could be managed by the implementation of permitted capacity and/ or the continuation of existing waste movements. However, if the permitted capacity is not implemented or capacity at existing facilities cannot be utilised, there could be further need for energy recovery facilities. To ensure waste is treated as high up the waste hierarchy as possible, the Plan prioritises recycling, composting and anaerobic digestion facilities and requires any proposals for energy recovery facilities to demonstrate they will not prejudice movement up the waste hierarchy and achieving the higher recycling scenarios (Policy SP2).

For disposal of HIC waste, landfill capacity for these waste streams in the Plan area is effectively exhausted, and the WNA estimates that up 2.5 million tonnes of waste could require landfilling over the Plan period, depending on future disposal rates. This is based upon the assumption of a future landfill rate of 5% for LACW and 10% for C&I waste and is a likely maximum to ensure sufficient provision, it does not preclude waste being recovered or recycled. If suitable residual waste was handled higher up the waste hierarchy, this could mean a lower requirement for landfill and a higher requirement for recovery.

Opportunities for future non-hazardous landfill, to manage HIC waste, are limited within the Plan area due to the underlying geology and groundwater constraints. Landfills are also becoming more specialist facilities, with operators not choosing to open new sites but instead manage and extend existing sites. These two factors therefore result in most of the residual waste to be disposed of being exported out of the Plan area, primarily to neighbouring authorities. Discussions have been held with neighbouring authorities about capacity and whilst movements cannot continue in the long term due to the finite capacity of landfill sites, in the interim these movements are accepted.

Due to the above factors and insufficient sites put forward in the 'call for sites' exercise, the Plan therefore seeks to address this gap through managing waste as high up the waste hierarchy (Policy SP1 and SP2) as possible and contains a policy (Policy SP4) to assess any application for disposal if it should come forward during the Plan period. The Councils will continue to engage with other Waste Planning Authorities on this matter and monitor the situation, locally and regionally, through the Authority Monitoring Report and engagement with neighbouring Waste Planning Authorities through the East Midlands Resource Technical Advisory Body.

It also should be noted that whilst there is sufficient recycling capacity forecasted, the Plan will continue to prioritise recycling facilities, including anaerobic digestion facilities, in line with the waste hierarchy. The high recycling scenarios are not targets nor a maximum and the Plan does not wish to prevent further appropriate recycling capacity coming forward. This supports the waste hierarchy and will also allow for the Plan area to continue to be net self-sufficient.

Considering the factors detailed above, the Plan takes a criteria-based approach which ensures future capacity needs will be met in a positive and flexible manner. This enables the opportunity for facilities to come forward that can meet changing market needs and demands, especially with evolving and innovative technology. As detailed in Chapter 9 - Monitoring and Implementation, the Plan areas waste arisings, operational capacity and so future requirements will be monitored along with consideration of regional issues. This will enable the Councils to monitor the performance of the Plan and identify if an early review of the Plan is necessary.