Issues and Options for Waste Planning

Somerset County Council is currently considering the “Issues and Options” for a strategy that will set out how and where waste will be managed in Somerset for the next 20 years .

With a variety of waste to consider, including household, industrial, commercial, construction and sewage treatment waste, we need to look for more sustainable methods than landfill. Alternative methods for dealing with our waste must be found as we begin to run out of landfill space in the County. Also, the financial cost of waste management to Somerset’s residents and businesses will increase if we do not change how we manage our waste.

“Issues and Options” is a key stage in a formal consultation process that gives a wide range of people the opportunity to input their views on waste management. At the moment Somerset County Council is not proposing any sites or policies that will be part of the waste planning strategy. The Issues and Options stage is intended to stimulate debate and gather information that we can then use to develop policies and proposals about where and how our waste will be managed in the future.

The key issues that need to be considered are:

What is the best strategy for the management of Somerset’s waste?
Where should waste management sites be located in Somerset?
What are the most appropriate ways of managing waste at different sites?

After the formal consultation has taken place, Somerset County Council will examine the feedback and the views received. These, together with government and regional policy, will form the basis on which site locations and waste management types are selected. It is important that you have your say now so that the right decisions are made for Somerset. “Preferred Options” will be identified in May next year and published for consultation.

Future Waste Planning In Somerset Booklet - Full PDF Version of this document. [ 721.0k]

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