Previous months' headlines/back
Issues
Subscription
details
here
Got a story? email the
editor rob.bell @ empublishing.org.uk
Free trial and sample
copies?
Contact
enquiries @ empublishing.org.uk
June 2008 headlines
(issue 20)
UK under fire as Soil Directive rears its head
The European Commission has kick-started further debate on the proposed
Soil Framework Directive by holding a “high-level conference on soil and
climate change”, at which environment commissioner Stavros Dimas made his
displeasure with the Environment Council’s blocking motion at the end of
last year extremely clear.
l
Visit
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/soil/index.htm
Model conditions
CLG has circulated a new set of model conditions for use by local
planning authorities during development of contaminated land.
Protest at Torbay gasworks
A protest has taken place against Torbay Council’s conditional planning
approval for 185 flats on the former Hollicombe gasworks, which borders
Preston Primary School.
Groundwater regs to change – a little
A consultation on proposed amendments to the Groundwater Regulations
1998 has been published by Defra.
York landfill – further tests
City of York Council has voted to accept a grant of £38,634 from Defra
to carry out site investigation of a former landfill at Fulford.
Violet Bank garden clean-up complete
Scottish Borders Council has completed remediation of contaminated
gardens at Violet Bank in Peebles, a report to its cabinet has said.
Asbestos dumped on closed landfill
A serious waste incident has led to a fine for a waste company.
Sheep fertility under the spotlight
University of Nottingham researchers will investigate the impact of
chemicals found in human sewage sludge on sheep foetuses in the womb.
Longbridge plans hit BCC desk
Regeneration specialist St Modwen and Advantage West Midlands have
submitted four major planning applications relating to the redevelopment of
the former Longbridge works.
Stop and seize fly-tipping powers
Local authorities will gain the power to stop, search and instantly
seize vehicles suspected of being involved in fly-tipping and other waste
offences under Defra plans.
l
www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/waste-controls
Part 2A and soils talent on the move
Keith Davidson,a Part 2A specialist, has joined Pannone in Manchester to
head its environment team.
Askew joins Environ
Environ has announced the appointment of environmental impact assessment
expert and soils specialist Rob Askew.
ELD warning
The Environmental Industries Commission has warned that the government
is “at risk of creating further confusion over environmental liability” in
its implementation of the Environmental Liability Directive.
Leachate treatment
The Environment Agency has approved the use of an innovative leachate
treatment system invented by WRG.
GMPPP ground gas guidance
Greater Manchester has produced a briefing note, Development on Land
Potentially Affected by Hazardous Ground Gas, to “improve the service
delivery and technical consistency between member authorities of the Greater
Manchester Public Protection Partnership”.
Tree planting on closed landfills
Forestry Commission research has been published which demonstrates it is
safe to plant trees on capped landfill sites, the government has claimed.
Considering wildlife
Planners and landowners who ignore the potential for land contamination
to affect wildlife may risk having their applications rejected unless they
follow guidance introduced to help protect wildlife on or near land
earmarked for development, according to Environ expert Samantha Deacon.
Croda Doncaster site
St Paul’s Developments has bought a 13 acre brownfield site from
occupier Croda Chemicals and then leased back 50,000 square feet of
warehouse space to the company to continue to use for one year.
Going down the garden...
CLB reports on genetic research into earthworms’ response to
contamination
Leinster CBE
Acting Environment Agency chief executive Paul Leinster has been awarded
a CBE for public and voluntary service.
Future land use
Foresight, the government’s “futures think tank”, will examine land use
in the UK in its next report.
Waste arrests
Officers from Environment Agency Wales, assisted by Gwent Police, have
arrested two directors and the previous company secretary of a Newport-based
company as part of a major investigation into the illegal handling of waste.
Land use statistics
Seventy five percent of dwellings were built on previously developed
land in 2007, down from 76% in 2006, according the CLG’s provisional
estimates for Land Use Statistics (England) 2007.
US brownfield funding
Sixteen state or local governments are to receive brownfield remediation
grants from the US Environmental Protection.
Chief planner
Steve Quartermain has been appointed chief planner by communities
secretary Hazel Blears.
back to top
Download our handy
wallchart
|
