Planning considerations
Points to consider before calling your local planning authority:
(in no particular order)
- Materials What type of materials will you accept or collect for the site? If you are a farmer then you could be composting animal manures without planning permission. Accepting green waste or other materials from your local authority or landscape contractors will have impacts on the scale of your composting.
- Road access to the site for utility vehicles will need to be safe and suitable for local authority and landscape contractors' vehicles.
- Neighbours How close are your nearest neighbours? No dwelling or industry should be within 250 m of the composting site. Any environmental health impacts such as bio aerosols or odours must be considered.
- Archaeology Cultural heritage of the site must be preserved.
- Buildings either new or having a change of use Design and appearance will be considered. Any impact on the landscape will be noted and softening or screening of this impact with appropriate planting is an integral part of initial planning.
- Nature conservation Creatures such as bats, owls and water voles are protected, as are rivers and trees. The planning authority will need to know if any of these could be affected.
- Will you be generating sustainable employment? Council planning policies can regard sustainable employment in rural areas positively.
- Preliminary design Includes: materials to be composted (e.g. kerbside collected greenwaste); site surface; leachate, runoff, and storm water collection; health and safety considerations.
- Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) May also be required, depending on the nature, scale and location of a proposed operation. Your planning authority will be able to tell you if an EIA is required and, if so, what it should address.
Your local district or borough council planning authority will usually be responsible for issuing planning permission. Their advice is that you speak to your parish council and community groups first. Planning permission can be refused on the basis of justifiable objections from local residents. A small presentation to them would be a good step forward in winning local community support for your ecologically sound and sustainable venture. Even if the reaction is mixed your planners will look positively at your consideration.
Letting your local planners know your intentions as soon as possible will enable them to guide you with what is and isn’t possible as well as site specific requirements.
To find contact details for your local planning authority register now to use the database search facility.
For links to planning guidance and legislation information visit the guidance and legislation area
