Previous consultations

The Council submitted a  "Waste Core Strategy: Regulation 28 Submission Document and Proposals Map" to the Secretary of State in January 2007.  However, following advice from the Planning Inspectorate and in anticipation of emerging government guidance it was clear that it would not be found "sound".

In Summer 2008 we recommenced work on the Waste Core Strategy. The main milestones in the development of the Waste Core Strategy have been:

1. Autumn 2008: Refreshed Issues and Options Consultation
2. Winter 2009: Emerging Preferred Options Consultation
3. Autumn 2010: First Draft Submission Consultation
4. Spring 2011: Publication Document (Regulation 27) Consultation
5. Autumn 2011: Addendum to the Submission Document Consultation

Details of all the consultations are set out in the Pre-submission Consultation Statement (Regulation 30 document).

Further consultation was held in Spring 2012 on Proposed Changes following the hearing sessions of the examination in public

Refreshed Issues and Options Consultation

The Refreshed "Issues and Options" report was the first stage in re-commencing work on the Core Strategy. It brought the earlier work on the Waste Core Strategy up to date and reflected the views of the people of Worcestershire obtained through previous public consultations.

We held a public consultation on the "Refreshed Issues and Options report" from 29th September until 19th December 2008 and received over 2,000 comments from over 100 organizations and individuals. These were used to generate alternative scenarios for how we might proceed.

The Refreshed Issues and Options Report is available via the links below for your information:

• Refreshed Issues and Options Report (PDF 481KB) .
• Refreshed Issues and Options Report: Questionnaire (PDF 83KB) .

A Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report accompanied this stage in the consultation and Sustainability Appraisal of the Refreshed Issues and Options Report was undertaken.

Consultation comments

We summarised the consultation comments received and set out our initial response to them in the Summary of Consultation Responses  (PDF 613KB) . and Summary Table of Consultation Responses. (PDF 83KB) .

Emerging Preferred Options consultation

Following the Refreshed Issues and Options consultation we considered in detail the comments made in the Refreshed Issues and Options consultation, visited every known waste management operator in the County (except one who declined) and updated the evidence base and prepared background documents.

This informed our approach in the Emerging Preferred Options report.

Between 16th November 2009 and 4th February 2010 we asked for your views on the Emerging Preferred Options Consultation. This report set out our ideas about planning for waste management facilities in Worcestershire until 2027. We asked whether you thought this report addressed suitable priorities, were the plans were realistic and whether you agree with the strategy's suggestions. 

The Emerging Preferred Options Report and summary are available via the links below for your information.

• The Emerging Preferred Options fact sheet  (PDF 152KB) . (2 pages)
• Summary of Emerging Preferred Options Report (PDF 620KB) .(22 pages)
• Full Emerging Preferred Options Report (PDF 1.4MB) .(88 pages)
• Sustainability Appraisal of the Emerging Preferred Options
• Initial Habitat Regulations Assessment 

Consultation comments 

We have set out a summary (4 pages)  of the main comments received and full details of all comments and our response to them can be seen in the consultation response document (232 pages).

We received several comments after the consultation deadline and did not have time to include them in the above documents. We have however taken all comments into account and include a brief outline of late comments for information.

First Draft Submission Consultation

Following the Emerging Preferred Options consultation we considered all consultation comments made. We then set about drafting a set of policy proposals for consultation. These formed the "First Draft Submission Consultation Document".

We also undertook an assessment of over 100 locations in the County to identify potential areas of search. 

We consulted on the "First Draft Submission" document between 28th September and 9th November 2010. This document proposed a policy framework and identified "areas of search" which we considered would be suitable in principle for waste management facilities. 

The First Draft Submisssion Consultation Document and Summary are available below for your information.

• The Information Sheet (PDF 734KB) . (2 pages) (this has been amended since the version posted to members of the consultation database)
• Areas of Search map (PDF 6.12MB) .
• Summary Document (PDF 3.12MB) . (23 pages) (this has been amended since the version posted to members of the consultation database)
• First Draft Submission Full Document (PDF 3.2MB) . (118 pages)
• Consultation questionnaire PDF. (PDF 187KB) .
• A web-tool was developed to support Policy WCS 7. It maps all known waste sites in the county with a 250m buffer.

The "First Draft Submission Document" was informed by

• a portfolio of background documents
• Sustainability Appraisal
• Initial Habitat Regulations Assessment 

An Equality Impact Assessment  screening exercise has been undertaken for the Waste Core Strategy. The screening exercise found that no adverse impacts are expected to any of the six diversity strands.

We have prepared a consultation response document  (PDF 1.34MB). setting out all consultation comments received and our response to them.

Publication Document (Regulation 27) Consultation

Following the First Draft Submission consultation we considered all consultation comments made. We then set about finalising the policy proposals for consultation and submission to the Secretary of State. These were published as the "Publication Document (Regulation 27)". 

We consulted on the "soundness" and legal compliance of this document between 22nd March 2011 and 5.30pm on 4th May 2011 and we are now considering the representations received.

The Publication Document and supporting documents are available via the links below for your information:

• Waste Core Strategy Publication Document (Regulation 27) (PDF 5.85MB) . (appendix 3 plans corrected)
• Information sheet  (PDF 450KB) . 
• Sustainability Appraisal of the Publication Document
• Habitats Regulations Assessment
• Response form (printable copy) (PDF 106KB) . and guidance notes 
• Statutory notice. (PDF 86KB).

Consultation comments

We have prepared a document which records all representations received and sets out the Council's initial response (updated 11th July 2011).

All representations have been submitted to the Secretary of State alongside the Waste Core Strategy documents for consideration by the Planning Inspector.  

Addendum to the Submission Document consultation 

On 30th June 2011, Council resolved that the Waste Core Strategy and supporting documents be approved for formal submission to the Secretary of State for independent examination. Since this time we have been negotiating with a number of consultees who submitted representations on the soundness and legal compliance of the Waste Core Strategy during the Publication Document (Regulation 27) consultation (which was held from March to May 2011).

These negotiations revealed that further Habitats Regulations Assessment of the Waste Core Strategy was required to ensure that the Waste Core Strategy complies with the requirements of The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010. This work was completed and is set out in an Addendum to the Habitats Regulations Assesment. As the Addendum to the Habitats Regulations Assessment forms new evidence, the Planning Inspectorate was clear that it was necessary to consult the public on this document and the changes to the Waste Core Strategy which are required in light of it. This gave the Council an opportunity to make a number of other changes which address the majority of the representations which were received. Many of these are small, such as correcting grammar or for clarification, but some are more substantial.

The changes were set out in the Addendum to the Waste Core Strategy and were accompanied by a Sustainability Appraisal.  Consultation on the Addendum ran from 3rd October to 5.30pm on 15th November 2011.

The Addendum to the Submission Document and supporting documents are available via the links below:

• Addendum to the Waste Core Strategy Submission Document. 
  (PDF 4.7MB)
• The addendum should be read in conjunction with the Waste Core Strategy Submission Document  (PDF 9.4MB) 
  (a web-tool has been developed to support Policy WCS 13. It maps all known waste sites in the county with a 250m buffer).
• The main changes are summarised in a two-page Information Sheet  (PDF 114KB) .
• Addendum to the Habitats Regulations Assessment.
• Sustainability Appraisal of Waste Core Strategy Submission Document Addendum.

At this stage we requested comments on the 'soundness' of the Waste Core Strategy Submission Document incorporating the Addendum. All representations on the Publication Document (Regulation 27) consultation and the Addendum to the Submission Document Consultation will be submitted to the Secretary of State on 28th November 2011 alongside the Waste Core Strategy documents for consideration by the Planning Inspector.  

For further information regarding the examination of the Waste Core Strategy please see the Examination page

Proposed Changes consultation

                                                                                                                  The Worcestershire Waste Core Strategy Development Plan Document was submitted to the Secretary of State on 28th November 2011. The Secretary of State appointed Mr. Andrew S Freeman to undertake an independent examination into the soundness of the Waste Core Strategy. As part of the Examination, hearing sessions were held from 13^th to 16^th March 2012 to discuss the principal matters identified by the Inspector.

In response to the Inspector's questions and the debate in the hearing sessions, the Council proposed a number of changes to the Waste Core Strategy.

Comments were invited on the proposed "Main" and "Additional" changes to the submitted Waste Core Strategy for Worcestershire. Following the hearing sessions the Government published the National Planning Policy Framework and we welcomed comments on our interpretation of the implications of this for the Waste Core Strategy.

The consultation commenced on 5^th April 2012 and closed at 5.30pm on 21^st May 2012.

On 20^th April 2012 the Inspector advised us to consider including a policy in the Waste Core Strategy regarding the application of the "Presumption in Favour of Sustainable Development" as set out in the National Planning Policy Framework.

In response to this we proposed a new policy and minor changes to other sections of the Waste Core Strategy for clarity and consistency.

We consulted on the addition of this policy alongside the original proposed changes and the closing date for comments on both aspects remained 5.30pm on 21^st May 2012.

• **UPDATED** Schedule of Proposed Changes 23^rdApril 2012  (PDF 2MB) 
• Review of Sustainability of Proposed Changes to the Worcestershire Waste Core Strategy  (PDF 402 KB) 
• The updated Habitats Regulations Assessment Screening Decision
• A statement on any implications of the new National Planning Policy Framework  (PDF 338KB) 
• **NEW** Statement on the proposed inclusion of an additional policy in the Waste Core Strategy to address the "Presumption in favour of sustainable development - 23^rd April 2012  (PDF 145KB)
• **NEW** Statement on implications of "Policy WCS Additional: Presumption in favour of sustainable development" on Sustainability Appraisal and Habitats Regulations Assessment  - 23^rd April 2012 (PDF 155KB)

A web-tool has been developed to support Policy WCS 13. It maps all known waste sites in the county with a 250m buffer.

Responses were invited using an online form, or by post or email.

For further information regarding the examination of the Waste Core Strategy please see the Examination page.