Question reference: S1W-02730
- Asked by: Dorothy-Grace Elder, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 26 November 1999
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Current status: Answered by Sarah Boyack on 10 December 1999
Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is consistent with its environmental policies for toxic dumping to be carried out within a city boundary, for quantities of human waste being licensed up to 500,000 tonnes a year and 4,000 lorry loads, and for asbestos, arsenic and cyanide to be disposed of within a town or city boundary.
Answer
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), as waste regulation authority, has responsibility for considering applications for waste management licences and setting appropriate conditions to protect health and the environment.Land use planning decisions are the responsibility of local authorities. Planning authorities must in the first instance take account of the development plan, then all other material considerations, including advice from SEPA, when determining planning applications. Where appropriate, environmental impact assessment provides additional advice. All operational landfills require licences from SEPA as well as valid planning consent.