The Planning (Management of Waste from Extractive Industries) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010

PART 1 N.I. INTRODUCTORY PROVISIONS

Citation and commencement N.I.

1.  These Regulations may be cited as the Planning (Management of Waste from Extractive Industries) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 and shall come into operation on 1st April 2010.

Commencement Information

I1 Reg. 1 in operation at 1.4.2010, see reg. 1

Interpretation N.I.

2.—(1) The Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954(1) shall apply to these Regulations as it applies to an Act of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

(2) In these Regulations—

“best available techniques” has the same meaning as in Article 2(11) of Council Directive 96/61/EC(2) of 24th September 1996 concerning integrated pollution prevention and control;

“Category A waste facility” means a facility so classified in Schedule 3;

“competent person” means a person with sufficient training, experience, knowledge and other qualities to enable that person to undertake the duties assigned to them relative to these Regulations;

“dam” means an engineered structure designed to retain or confine either water or waste or both within a pond;

“dangerous substance” means a substance, mixture or preparation which is dangerous within the meaning of Directive 67/548/EEC(3)or Directive 99/45/EC(4);

“the Department” means the Department of the Environment;

“the Directive” means Council Directive 2006/21/EC(5) of 15th March 2006 on the management of waste from extractive industries and amending Directive 2004/35/EC(6);

“Directive 91/689/EEC”(7) means Council Directive 91/689/EEC of 12th December 1991 on hazardous waste;

“Directive 67/548/EEC” means Council Directive 67/548/EEC of 27th June 1967 on the approximation of laws, regulations and administrative provisions relating to the classification, packaging and labelling of dangerous substances;

“Directive 99/45/EC” means Directive 99/45/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 31st May 1999 concerning the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States relating to the classification, packaging and labelling of dangerous preparations;

“Directive 2000/60/EC”(8) means Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23rd October 2000 establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy;

“extractive waste” means waste produced from an extractive industry and resulting from the winning, working, treatment and storage of minerals but does not include the following—

(a)

waste which is generated by the winning, working and treatment of minerals but which does not directly result from those operations;

(b)

waste resulting from the offshore winning, working and treatment of minerals; or

(c)

the injection of water and re‑injection of pumped groundwater as defined in the first and second indents of Article 11(3)(j) of Directive 2000/60/EC, to the extent authorised by that Article;

“extractive waste site” means any area designated for the accumulation or deposit of extractive waste, whether in a solid or liquid state or in solution or suspension, for the following time periods—

(a)

a period of six months or less for sites for hazardous waste generated unexpectedly;

(b)

a period of one year or less for sites for non-hazardous, non-inert waste;

(c)

a period of three years or less for sites for unpolluted soil, non‑hazardous waste resulting from the winning of minerals, waste resulting from the working, treatment and storage of peat and inert waste;

but does not include any area which falls within a waste facility;

and such a site is deemed to include—

(i)

any dam or other structure serving to contain, retain, confine or otherwise support the extractive waste site;

(ii)

(but not to be limited to), heaps and ponds,

but excludes excavation voids into which waste is replaced, after extraction of the mineral, for rehabilitation and construction purposes;

“financial guarantee” means the guarantee required by regulation 8;

“hazardous waste” has the meaning given to it in Article 1(4) of Council Directive 91/689/EEC;

“heap” means an engineered facility for the deposit of solid waste on the surface;

“inert waste” means waste which satisfies the following requirements—

(a)

it does not undergo any significant physical, chemical or biological transformations;

(b)

it does not dissolve, burn or otherwise physically or chemically react, biodegrade or adversely affect other matter with which it comes into contact in a way likely to give rise to environmental pollution or harm human health;

(c)

the total leachability and pollutant content of the waste is insignificant, in particular not such as to endanger the quality of either surface water or groundwater or both; and

(d)

the ecotoxicity of the leachate is insignificant, in particular not such as to endanger the quality of either surface water or groundwater or both;

“leachate” means any liquid percolating through the deposited waste and emitted from or contained within an extractive waste site or waste facility, including polluted drainage, which may adversely affect the environment if not appropriately treated;

“major accident” means an occurrence on-site in the course of an operation involving the management of extractive waste in any establishment covered by these Regulations, leading to a serious danger to either human health or the environment or both, whether immediately or over time, on-site or off-site;

“minerals” includes all minerals and substances in or under land of a kind ordinarily worked for removal by underground or surface working, except that it does not include turf cut for purposes other than sale;

“offshore” means that area of the sea and seabed extending from the low water mark of ordinary or medium tides outwards;

“operator” means the person who is or will be responsible for the management of extractive waste, including in respect of temporary storage of extractive waste as well as the operational and after-closure phases;

“planning permission” means permission under Part IV of the 1991 Order;

“pond” means a natural or engineered facility for disposing of fine grained waste, normally tailings, along with varying amounts of free water, resulting from the treatment of minerals and from the clearing and recycling of process water;

“the public” means one or more natural or legal persons and associations, organisations or groups made up of such persons;

“the public concerned” means the public affected or likely to be affected by, or having an interest in, the environmental decision-making under Parts 3 or 5 and non-governmental organisations promoting environmental protection and meeting any requirements under national legislation are deemed to have such an interest;

“receiving body of water” means surface waters, groundwater, transitional waters and coastal water as defined in Article 2(1), (2), (6) and (7) of Directive 2000/60/EC;

“rehabilitation” means the treatment of the land affected by a waste facility in such a way as to restore the land to a satisfactory state, with particular regard to soil quality, wildlife, natural habitats, freshwater systems, landscape and appropriate beneficial uses;

“relevant development” means development comprising mining operations involving the management of extractive waste;

“substantial change” means a change in the structure or operation of a waste facility that, in the opinion of the Department, may have significant negative effects on human health or the environment or both;

“tailings” means the waste solids or slurries that remain after the treatment of minerals by separation processes (e.g. crushing, grinding, size-sorting, flotation and other physico-chemical techniques) to remove the valuable minerals from the less valuable rock;

“the 1991 Order” means the Planning (Northern Ireland) Order 1991(9);

“treatment” means the mechanical, physical, biological, thermal or chemical process, or combination of processes, carried out on extracted material, with a view to extracting the mineral, including size change, classification, separation and leaching, and the re-processing of previously discarded waste, but excluding smelting, thermal manufacturing processes (other than the burning of limestone) and metallurgical processes;

“unpolluted soil” means soil that is removed from the upper layer of the ground during extractive activities and that is not “deemed to be polluted under national or community law”;

“waste” means anything that is waste for the purposes of Council Directive 2006/12/EC(10) of 5th April 2006 on waste;

“waste facility” means any area designated for the accumulation or deposit of extractive waste, whether in a solid or liquid state or in solution or suspension, for the following time periods—

(a)

no time period for Category A waste facilities and facilities for waste characterised as hazardous in the waste management plan;

(b)

six months for facilities for hazardous waste generated unexpectedly;

(c)

one year for facilities for non‑hazardous, non‑inert waste;

(d)

three years for facilities for unpolluted soil, non‑hazardous waste resulting from the winning of minerals, waste resulting from the working, treatment and storage of peat and inert waste;

and such a facility is deemed to include any dam or other structure serving to contain, retain, confine or otherwise support the facility but not to be limited to, heaps and ponds, but excludes excavation voids into which waste is replaced, after extraction of the mineral, for rehabilitation and construction purposes;

“waste management plan” has the meaning given by regulation 6;

“weak acid dissociable cyanide” means cyanide and cyanide compounds that are dissociated with a weak acid at a defined pH;

(3) Notwithstanding paragraph (2), expressions used in these Regulations and in the Directive and not otherwise defined in these Regulations shall, unless the context otherwise requires, have the same meaning for the purposes of these Regulations as they have for the purposes of the Directive.

Commencement Information

I2 Reg. 2 in operation at 1.4.2010, see reg. 1

Amendment to the 1991 Order N.I.

3.  In Article 2(2) of the 1991 Order for the definition of “mining operations” substitute—

““mining operations” means—

(a)

the winning and working of minerals in, on or under land whether by surface or underground working; and

(b)

the management of waste resulting from the winning, working, treatment and storage of minerals

and, for the purposes of paragraph (b), “treatment” does not include smelting, thermal manufacturing processes (other than the burning of limestone) and metallurgical processes;.”.

Commencement Information

I3 Reg. 3 in operation at 1.4.2010, see reg. 1

PART 2 N.I. GENERAL PROVISIONS

Prohibition on the grant of planning permission or deemed grant of planning permission for relevant development without prior approval of a waste management plan and conditions on such permission N.I.

4.—(1) Subject to regulation 5—

(a) planning permission for relevant development shall not be granted on or after the date of coming into operation of these Regulations unless a waste management plan has been submitted to and approved by the Department in accordance with regulations 6 and 7;

(b) every planning permission granted for relevant development in respect of a waste facility on or after the date of coming into operation of these Regulations shall be subject to the conditions in regulations 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12;

(c) every planning permission for development comprising mining operations granted prior to the date of coming into operation of these Regulations shall be deemed, subject to the prior submission to and approval by the Department of a waste management plan in accordance with regulations 6 and 7, to include planning permission for relevant development and such permission, if it relates to relevant development in respect of a waste facility, shall be subject to the conditions in regulations 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12;

(d) every planning permission to which sub-paragraph (b) or (c) applies and which involves a Category A waste facility shall be subject to the conditions referred to in those respective sub-paragraphs, as applicable, and shall also be subject to the conditions in regulation 13; and

(e) every application for planning permission to which sub-paragraph (d) applies shall be accompanied by such information as is necessary to enable the Department to draw up an external emergency plan in accordance with regulation 18.

(2) If planning permission for relevant development is granted without the conditions required by these Regulations, as appropriate, it shall be deemed to have been granted subject to such conditions.

Commencement Information

I4 Reg. 4 in operation at 1.4.2010, see reg. 1

Exemptions, reductions and waiver N.I.

5.—(1) Nothing in these Regulations shall apply to relevant development carried out in extractive waste sites or in waste facilities which closed on or before 1st May 2008 and which remain closed.

(2) Regulation 4(d) shall not apply to those waste facilities falling within the scope of Directive 96/82/EC(11).

(3) The requirement of regulation 6 and the conditions in regulations 8, 11, 12, 13, and 18 shall not apply to mining operations in facilities which—

(a) stopped accepting waste before 1st May 2006;

(b) are completing closure procedures approved by the Department; and

(c) will be effectively closed by 31st December 2010.

(4) The requirement in regulation 6 and the conditions in regulations 8, 9(1)(d)(ii) and (iii), 9(1)(g) and (h), 9(3), 10(4) and (5), 11, 12, and 19(1) shall not apply to relevant development where the extractive waste is—

(a) inert waste or unpolluted soil resulting from the winning, working, treatment and storage of minerals and the working of quarries; or

(b) where the extractive waste is waste resulting from the working, treatment and storage of peat;

unless deposited in a Category A waste facility.

(5) For non-hazardous, non-inert extractive waste the Department may reduce or waive the conditions in regulations 8, 9(1)(d)(ii) and (iii), 9(3), 10(4) and (5), 12(b), (e) and (f), and 19(1), unless deposited in a Category A waste facility.

(6) The Department may reduce or waive the requirement of regulation 6 and the conditions in these Regulations where the extractive waste is—

(a) non-hazardous waste generated from the winning of minerals, except oil and evaporates other than gypsum and anhydrite;

(b) unpolluted soil; or

(c) other waste resulting from the working, treatment and storage of peat;

and it is satisfied that such extractive waste will be managed using best available techniques without endangering human health and without using processes or methods which could harm the environment, and in particular without—

(i) risk to water, air, soil and fauna and flora;

(ii) causing a nuisance through noise or odours;

(iii) adversely affecting the landscape or places of special interest; and

(iv) resulting in the abandonment, dumping or uncontrolled depositing of extractive waste.

(7) In the application of the condition in regulation 8(1) to planning permission to which regulation 4(c) applies, the financial guarantee shall be provided to the Department by 1st May 2014.

(8) In the application of the condition in regulation 10(4)(b) to planning permission to which regulation 4(c) applies, for “does not exceed 10 parts per million” there shall be substituted “will not exceed 50 parts per million prior to 1 May 2013, will not exceed 25 parts per million from 1st May 2013 to 30th April 2018, and thereafter will not exceed 10 parts per million.”.

(9) The conditions in regulation 10(1)(b) and (c) may be reduced or waived by the Department where it is satisfied, having assessed the environmental risks, taking into account in particular and as applicable Directives 76/464/EEC(12), 80/68/EEC(13) or 2000/60/EEC, that—

(a) the collection and treatment of leachate is not necessary; or

(b) it has established that the waste facility poses no potential hazard to soil, groundwater or surface water.

Commencement Information

I5 Reg. 5 in operation at 1.4.2010, see reg. 1

PART 3 N.I. WASTE MANAGEMENT PLAN

Preparation and submission of a waste management plan N.I.

6.—(1) A plan for the minimisation, treatment, recovery and disposal of extractive waste which takes account of the principle of sustainable development (a “waste management plan”) shall be submitted to the Department.

(2) The waste management plan shall satisfy the objectives in Schedule 1 and shall include the following information—

(a) the identity of the operator;

(b) the actual, or proposed location of the extractive waste site or the waste facility, including in respect of a waste facility any possible alternative locations;

(c) sufficient information and identification to enable the Department to evaluate the operator’s ability to meet the objectives of the waste management plan, as detailed in Schedule 1, and explaining in particular how the option and method chosen as detailed in paragraph 1(a) of Schedule 1 will fulfil those objectives;

(d) the class, in accordance with paragraph (3), into which the operator considers the site or facility falls, with appropriate assessment to allow the Department to consider whether it agrees with that classification, including an identification of possible accident hazards;

(e) waste characterisation in accordance with Schedule 2 and a statement of the estimated total quantities of extractive waste to be produced during the operational phase;

(f) a description of the operation generating such waste and of any subsequent treatment to which it is subject;

(g) a description of how the environment and human health may be adversely affected by the deposit of such waste and the preventative measures to be taken in order to minimise environmental impact during operation and after-closure, including the aspects referred to in regulation 9(1)(a), (b), (c), (d)(i), (e) and (f) and 9(2);

(h) whether or not the operator intends to place extractive waste into excavation voids for rehabilitation and construction purposes (whether the voids were created through surface or underground extraction) and, if such placing is intended, details of the proposed control and monitoring procedures—

(i) to secure the stability of the extractive waste in accordance with regulation 9(1)(a), (b), (c), (d)(i), (e) and (f) and 9(2); and

(ii) to prevent the pollution of soil, surface water and groundwater in accordance with regulations 10(1)(a), (b) and (c) and 10(3);

(i) the proposed plan for closure, including rehabilitation, after-closure procedures and monitoring as provided for in regulations 11 and 12;

(j) measures for prevention of water status deterioration in accordance with Directive 2006/60/EC and for the prevention or minimisation of air and soil pollution in accordance with regulation 10;

(k) if classified as a waste facility, a survey of the condition of the land affected or to be affected by it.

(3) The options for the proposed classification are—

(a) an extractive waste site;

(b) a waste facility; or

(c) a Category A waste facility (in accordance with Schedule 3).

(4) Where the facility is classified as a Category A waste facility, the waste management plan shall include a document demonstrating that a major accident prevention policy, a safety management system for implementing that policy and an internal emergency plan, all as described in regulation 13, are in effect or will be put into effect in accordance with that regulation prior to the commencement of operations.

(5) A waste management plan in respect of a planning permission to which regulation 4(c) applies shall be submitted to the Department on or before 1st November 2011.

(6) The waste management plan shall be reviewed and amended as appropriate and submitted to the Department no later than the fifth year after the date on which the planning permission was granted or the plan was approved, as the case may be, and thereafter no later than every fifth year following the date of the last review.

(7) The waste management plan shall, in the event of substantial changes to the operation of the waste facility or to the waste deposited, be amended as appropriate and any such amendments shall be submitted to the Department.

Commencement Information

I6 Reg. 6 in operation at 1.4.2010, see reg. 1

Consideration and approval of a waste management plan N.I.

7.—(1) Where a waste management plan is submitted to the Department in respect of a planning permission to which regulation 4(c) applies, the Department shall—

(a) publish notice of the waste management plan in at least one newspaper circulating in the locality in which the land to which the plan relates is situated;

(b) where it maintains a website for the purpose of advertisement of applications for planning permission, publish the notice on that website;

(c) await the expiration of 14 days from the date on which the notice is first published in a newspaper in pursuance of sub-paragraph (a) or is first published on the website in pursuance of sub-paragraph (b), whichever is the later, before it considers whether or not to approve the waste management plan; and

(d) consult the public concerned and, in considering whether or not to approve the waste management plan, shall take into account any comments made by the public concerned.

(2) The Department may—

(a) refuse to approve a waste management plan; or

(b) approve a waste management plan;

but it may not approve a waste management plan unless it is satisfied that—

(i) the objectives of the waste management plan will be met, taking account of the extent to which compliance will be secured through other national or Community legislation;

(ii) the conditions of the planning permission set out in these Regulations can be expected to be complied with, as appropriate;

(iii) the waste management plan is appropriate to the category into which it considers the site or facility falls; and

(iv) where the plan relates to a Category A waste facility, major accident hazards are identified and the necessary features are incorporated into the design, construction, operation and maintenance, closure and after-closure of the waste facility in order to prevent such accidents and to limit their adverse consequences for human health and the environment including any transboundary impacts.

Commencement Information

I7 Reg. 7 in operation at 1.4.2010, see reg. 1

PART 4 N.I. CONDITIONS FOR WASTE FACILITIES

Financial guarantee N.I.

8.—(1) No operations involving the management of extractive waste shall commence until a financial guarantee is provided by the operator to the Department.

(2) The purpose of the financial guarantee shall be to ensure that—

(a) all conditions on the planning permission pertaining to the management of extractive waste, including after-closure conditions, are met; and

(b) there are funds readily available at any given time for the rehabilitation of the land affected by the waste facility, as described in the waste management plan.

Commencement Information

I8 Reg. 8 in operation at 1.4.2010, see reg. 1

Construction and management N.I.

9.—(1) In the construction and management of a new waste facility or the modification of an existing waste facility, it shall be ensured that—

(a) the facility is suitably located taking into account in particular European Community or national obligations relating to protected areas, and geological, hydrological, hydrogeological, seismic and geotechnical factors;

(b) the facility is designed so as to meet the necessary requirements for, in the short and long term perspectives, preventing pollution of the soil, air, groundwater or surface water in accordance with Directives 76/464/EEC, 80/68/EEC and 2000/60/EC and ensuring efficient collection of contaminated water and leachate and reducing erosion, caused by water or wind, as far as it is technically possible and economically viable;

(c) the facility is suitably constructed, managed and maintained to ensure its physical stability and to prevent pollution or contamination of soil, air, surface water or groundwater in the short and long term perspectives as well as to minimise as far as possible damage to landscape;

(d) there are suitable plans and arrangements for regular monitoring and inspection of the facility by competent persons and for taking action in the event of results indicating instability or water or soil contamination and that in relation to such monitoring and inspections—

(i) reports of the monitoring and inspections are kept in order to ensure the appropriate hand-over of information, particularly in the event of a change of operator;

(ii) reports are made to the Department, at a frequency to be determined by it, but in any event no less than once a year, of all monitoring results on the basis of aggregated data; and

(iii) where the Department decides that such reports need to be validated by an independent expert, such expert shall be allowed access to the facility to conduct appropriate monitoring and all reasonable requirements of the expert shall be complied with;

(e) suitable arrangements are made for the rehabilitation of the land and the closure of the facility;

(f) suitable arrangements are made for the after-closure phase of the facility;

(g) the management of the facility is undertaken by a competent person;

(h) technical development and training of staff involved in the management of the facility is provided;

(i) up-to-date records are kept of all waste management operations, which are made available for inspection by the Department on request.

(2) In the event of a change of operator during the management of the waste facility it shall be ensured that there is a transfer of relevant up-to-date information and records relating to the waste facility.

(3) Where any events likely to affect the stability of the waste facility or any significant adverse environmental effects revealed by the control and monitoring procedures are identified—

(a) the Department shall be notified without undue delay and no later than 48 hours after those events or effects;

(b) the internal emergency plan shall be implemented, where applicable;

(c) any instruction from the Department as to the corrective measures to be taken shall be followed; and

(d) the operator shall be liable for the costs of the measures undertaken.

Commencement Information

I9 Reg. 9 in operation at 1.4.2010, see reg. 1

Prevention of water status deterioration, air and soil pollution N.I.

10.—(1) Documentary evidence shall be provided to the Department, both prior to the commencement of operations involving the management of extractive waste and during such operations, demonstrating, where applicable, compliance with Directive 2000/60/EC(14) through, inter alia—

(a) the evaluation of the leachate generation potential, including contaminant content of the leachate, of the deposited waste during the operational phase of the waste facility and determining the water balance of that facility;

(b) prevention or minimisation of leachate generation and surface water or groundwater and soil from being contaminated by the waste;

(c) collection and treatment of contaminated water and leachate from the waste facility to the appropriate standard required for their discharge; and

(d) the taking of adequate measures, based on best available techniques, to prevent or reduce dust and gas emissions.

(2) Where extractive waste is to be disposed of, whether in solid, slurry or liquid form, into any receiving body of water other than one constructed for the purpose of disposing of extractive waste, documentary evidence shall be submitted to the Department to demonstrate compliance with Directives 76/464/EEC, 80/68/EEC and 2000/60/EC.

(3) Where extractive waste is to be placed back into excavation voids, whether created through surface or underground extraction, which will be allowed to flood after-closure, documentary evidence shall be submitted to the Department to demonstrate—

(a) that when the extractive waste is so placed, the necessary measures shall be taken to prevent or minimise water status deterioration and soil pollution in accordance with paragraphs (1)(a), (b) and (c), insofar as applicable; and

(b) compliance with Community environmental obligations, in particular those in Directive 2000/60/EC;

(4) Where a pond involving the presence of cyanide is to be managed, documentary evidence to demonstrate—

(a) that the concentration of weak acid dissociable cyanide in the pond is or will be reduced to the lowest possible level using best available techniques; and

(b) that the concentration of weak acid dissociable cyanide at the point of discharge of the tailings from the processing plant into the pond does not exceed 10 parts per million;

shall be submitted to the Department.

(5) Upon request in writing by the Department it shall be demonstrated, through a risk assessment that takes site-specific conditions into account, that the concentration limits need not be lowered below 10 parts per million.

Commencement Information

I10 Reg. 10 in operation at 1.4.2010, see reg. 1

Closure N.I.

11.—(1) Closure of the waste facility shall not commence until the following requirements are satisfied—

(a) the conditions relating to the management of extractive waste are met; and

(b) an authorisation for closure notice is issued by the Department.

(2) The waste facility shall not be regarded as closed until the Department has issued a final closure notice.

Commencement Information

I11 Reg. 11 in operation at 1.4.2010, see reg. 1

After-closure N.I.

12.  Following closure of the waste facility, where the Department considers it necessary, and for as long as may be specified in a final closure notice—

(a) maintenance, monitoring, control and corrective measures shall be undertaken;

(b) the physical and chemical stability of the facility shall be controlled and any negative environmental effects shall be minimised in order to fulfil relevant environmental requirements as set out in Directives 76/464/EEC, 80/68/EEC and 2000/60/EC, in particular with respect to surface and groundwater, by ensuring that—

(i) all the structures pertaining to the facility are monitored and conserved, with control and measuring apparatus always ready for use; and

(ii) where applicable, overflow channels and spillways are kept clean and free;

(c) the leachate generation potential, including contaminant content of the leachate, of the deposited waste shall be evaluated, and the water balance of the waste facility shall be determined;

(d) measures shall be taken to ensure—

(i) the prevention or minimisation of leachate generation and surface water or groundwater and soil from being contaminated by the waste; and

(ii) contaminated water and leachate from the waste facility shall be collected and treated to the appropriate standard required for their discharge;

(e) the Department shall be notified of any events or developments likely to affect the stability of the waste facility and of any significant adverse environmental effects revealed by the after-closure and monitoring procedures and where applicable—

(i) the internal emergency plan shall be implemented;

(ii) any instructions from the Department as to the corrective measures to be taken shall be followed; and

(iii) liability for the costs of implementing the internal emergency plan and taking the corrective measures shall rest with the operator;

(f) all monitoring results shall be reported to the Department on the basis of aggregated data, at a frequency to be determined by it.

Commencement Information

I12 Reg. 12 in operation at 1.4.2010, see reg. 1

PART 5 N.I. ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS FOR CATEGORY A WASTE FACILITIES

Major accident prevention policy, safety management system and internal emergency plan N.I.

13.—(1) No operations involving the management of extractive waste shall commence unless a major accident prevention policy is drawn up, a safety management system to implement that policy is put into effect, and an internal emergency plan, specifying the measures to be taken on-site in the event of an emergency is put into effect.

(2) A safety manager shall be appointed to ensure the implementation and periodic supervision of the major accident prevention policy.

(3) The major accident prevention policy and safety management system shall be proportionate to the major accident hazards presented by the waste facility and account shall be taken of the following factors—

(a) the major accident prevention policy shall include the overall aims and principles of action with respect to the control of major accident hazards;

(b) the safety management system shall include the part of the general management system which includes the organisational structure, responsibilities, practices, procedures, processes and resources for determining and implementing the major accident prevention policy;

(c) the safety management system shall address the following issues—

(i) organisation and personnel, including their roles and responsibilities in the management of major accident hazards at all levels in the organisation, identification of training needs of such personnel and the provision of the training so identified and involvement of employees and, where appropriate, subcontractors;

(ii) identification and evaluation of major accident hazards, including the adoption and implementation of procedures for systematically identifying major accident hazards arising from normal and abnormal operations and assessment of their likelihood and severity;

(iii) operational control, including the adoption and implementation of procedures and instructions for safe operation, including maintenance of plant, processes, equipment and temporary stoppages;

(iv) management of change, including the adoption and implementation of procedures for planning modifications to, or the design of, new waste facilities;

(v) planning for emergencies, including the adoption and implementation of procedures to identify foreseeable emergencies by systematic analysis and to prepare, test and review emergency plans to respond to such emergencies;

(vi) monitoring performance, including the adoption and implementation of procedures for the ongoing assessment of compliance with the objectives set by the major accident prevention policy and safety management system and the mechanisms for investigation and taking corrective action in case of non-compliance and such procedures shall cover the system for reporting major accidents or near misses, particularly those involving failure of protective measures, and their investigation and follow up on the basis of lessons learnt;

(vii) audit and review, including the adoption and implementation of procedures for periodic systematic assessment of the major accident prevention policy and the effectiveness and suitability of the safety management system and the documented review of performance of the policy and safety management system and its updating by senior management.

(4) The internal emergency plan shall include the following information—

(a) names or positions of persons authorised to set emergency procedures in motion and the person in charge of and co-ordinating the on-site mitigatory action;

(b) for foreseeable conditions or events which could be significant in bringing about an accident, a description of the action which should be taken to control the conditions or events and to limit their consequences, including a description of the safety equipment and the resources available;

(c) arrangements for limiting the risks to persons on-site including how warnings are to be given and the actions persons are expected to take on receipt of a warning;

(d) arrangements for providing early warning of the incident to the Department, the type of information which should be contained in an initial warning and the arrangements for the provision of more detailed information as it becomes available;

(e) arrangements for training staff in the duties they will be expected to perform, and where necessary, co-ordination with the emergency services;

(f) arrangements for providing assistance with off-site mitigatory action;

(g) arrangements, where appropriate, to communicate the necessary information to the public concerned and to the relevant services or authorities in the area.

(5) Copies of the major accident prevention policy, the safety management system and the internal emergency plan shall be provided to the Department.

(6) In the event of a major accident, the Department shall be immediately provided with all information required to help minimise the consequences of the accident for human health and to allow the assessment and minimisation of the actual and potential extent of the environmental damage.

(7) The Department shall be provided with such further information as it requires to draw up an external emergency plan.

Commencement Information

I13 Reg. 13 in operation at 1.4.2010, see reg. 1

PART 6 N.I. DUTIES OF THE DEPARTMENT

Inspections by the Department N.I.

14.—(1) The Department shall, prior to the commencement of operations involving the management of extractive waste and thereafter at regular intervals, inspect each waste facility for which permission for relevant development has been granted to ensure that the operator is complying with the conditions imposed on that permission pursuant to these Regulations and implementing the waste management plan approved by it.

Commencement Information

I14 Reg. 14 in operation at 1.4.2010, see reg. 1

Financial guarantee N.I.

15.  Where planning permission for relevant development is subject to the condition in regulation 8(1) the Department shall—

(a) calculate the financial guarantee on the basis of—

(i) the likely environmental impact of the waste facility, taking into account in particular the classification of the waste facility, the characteristics of the waste and the future use of the rehabilitated land; and

(ii) the assumption that independent and suitably qualified third parties will assess and perform any rehabilitation work needed;

(b) determine the form of the financial guarantee and may accept the provision of a guarantee from an industry-sponsored mutual guarantee fund or equivalent; and

(c) periodically review the size of the guarantee and adjust as necessary, in accordance with any rehabilitation work which it may deem necessary on the land affected by the extractive waste, as described in the approved waste management plan prepared in accordance with regulation 6.

Commencement Information

I15 Reg. 15 in operation at 1.4.2010, see reg. 1

Construction and management N.I.

16.  Where planning permission for relevant development is subject to the condition in regulation 9(1)(d)(ii), the Department shall consider whether the monitoring report submitted to it should be validated by an independent expert.

Commencement Information

I16 Reg. 16 in operation at 1.4.2010, see reg. 1

Closure N.I.

17.—(1) Where the Department receives a request for authorisation for closure of a waste facility, it shall issue an authorisation for closure notice.

(2) The Department shall not issue an authorisation for closure notice unless it is satisfied that all conditions of the planning permission relating to the waste facility in question have been met.

(3) Prior to the issue of a final closure notice in accordance with paragraph (4), the Department shall, without undue delay—

(a) carry out a final on-site inspection of the waste facility in question; and

(b) certify that the land affected by the waste facility has been rehabilitated.

(4) Where the Department is satisfied, following its inspection and assessment pursuant to paragraph (3), that the closure procedures have been appropriately carried out, it shall issue a final closure notice in writing which—

(a) certifies that the land affected by the waste facility has been rehabilitated; and

(b) releases the operator from obligations in respect of any financial guarantee condition to which the planning permission is subject pursuant to regulation 8, except insofar as they relate to any after-closure conditions to which the permission is subject pursuant to regulation 12.

(5) The Department may, if it considers it appropriate to do so, take over responsibility for the obligations relating to a condition to which a planning permission is subject pursuant to regulation 12(a).

Commencement Information

I17 Reg. 17 in operation at 1.4.2010, see reg. 1

External emergency plan N.I.

18.—(1) Where planning permission has been granted or deemed to be granted for relevant development in respect of a Category A waste facility, the Department shall draw up an external emergency plan specifying the measures to be taken off-site in the event of an accident.

(2) The external emergency plan shall have the following objectives—

(a) to contain and control major accidents and other incidents so as to minimise their effects, and in particular to limit damage to human health and the environment;

(b) to implement the measures necessary to protect human health and the environment from the effects of major accidents and other incidents;

(c) to communicate the necessary information to the public and to the relevant services or authorities in the area; and

(d) to provide for the rehabilitation, restoration and clean-up of the environment following a major accident.

(3) The public concerned will be provided with early and effective opportunities to participate in the preparation and review of the external emergency plan referred to in paragraph (1) and the Department shall make arrangements to inform the public concerned of proposals to prepare and review the plan, including information about the right to participate in that process and how to do so.

(4) The Department shall afford the public concerned a reasonable timescale to express comments and shall have due account to the comments received in reaching its decision on the preparation or review of the plan.

(5) Information on safety measures and the action required in the event of an accident at the site shall be provided by the Department to the public concerned, free of charge.

(6) The information referred to in paragraph (5) shall contain at least all matters specified in Schedule 4.

(7) The information referred to in paragraph (5) shall be reviewed by the Department at least every three years and updated as necessary.

(8) Where the Department becomes aware of an accident involving a Category A waste facility which is likely to have significant adverse effects on the environment of, and any resultant risks to human health in, another Member State, the Department shall forward the information provided to it pursuant to a condition imposed by virtue of paragraph regulation 13(6) to the other Member State concerned.

Commencement Information

I18 Reg. 18 in operation at 1.4.2010, see reg. 1

Co operation with other Member States N.I.

19.—(1) Where it appears to the Department that proposed relevant development which is the subject of an application for planning permission or a waste management plan, as the case may be, is likely to have significant adverse effects on the environment of, and any resultant risks to human health in, another Member State or where another Member State likely to be thus affected so requests, the Department shall—

(a) forward a copy of the application or waste management plan, as the case may be, and all related material to the other Member State at the same time as it makes such documents available to the public in Northern Ireland;

(b) give the Member State a reasonable time in which to consult its own nationals and allow them to submit representations before the Department decides whether or not to grant the application or approve the waste management plan, as the case may be.

(2) This regulation shall not apply to those applications or waste management plans, as the case may be, in respect of planning permission for relevant development which constitutes “EIA development” within the meaning of the Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999(15).

Commencement Information

I19 Reg. 19 in operation at 1.4.2010, see reg. 1

Inventory of closed waste facilities N.I.

20.—(1) The Department shall prepare and maintain an inventory of closed waste facilities, including abandoned waste facilities, which cause serious negative environmental impacts or have the potential of becoming, in the short or medium term, a serious threat to human health or the environment.

(2) The inventory shall be available for inspection by the public at all reasonable hours.

(3) On request by any member of the public and on payment of a reasonable fee, the Department shall provide a copy of any item entered in the inventory.

(4) The inventory shall be prepared by 1st May 2012 and shall take into account the methodologies referred to in Article 21 of the Directive, where available.

Commencement Information

I20 Reg. 20 in operation at 1.4.2010, see reg. 1

Review N.I.

21.—(1) The Department shall review the conditions imposed pursuant to these Regulations on a planning permission for relevant development—

(a) where there are substantial changes in the operation of the waste facility or the waste deposited;

(b) on the basis of monitoring results reported by the operator pursuant to regulation 9(3) or inspections carried out pursuant to regulation 9(1)(d) or 14(1); or

(c) in the light of substantial changes in best available techniques.

(2) Where the Department undertakes a review in accordance with paragraph (1), it shall inform the public concerned and give them an opportunity to make comment before the Department completes its review.

(3) A review undertaken in consequence of paragraph (1) may add to, reduce or update the conditions attached to that permission in pursuance of these Regulations.

Commencement Information

I21 Reg. 21 in operation at 1.4.2010, see reg. 1

Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department of Environment on 5th March 2010

Marianne Fleming

A senior officer of the

Department of Environment