To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what developments within development proximity zones surrounding (a) large-scale petrol storage depots and (b) onshore non-nuclear major hazard installations do not comply with Health and Safety Executive guidance on development within such zones; and if she will make a statement. (280695)

[holding answer 22 June 2009]: Development proximity zones (DPZs) around large-scale petrol storage depots were introduced by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in July 2008. Since then HSE has advised against the granting of planning permission on safety grounds for five planning applications which involved developments within a DPZ. In one of these cases the planning authority granted planning permission.

DPZs only apply to large-scale petrol storage depots. HSE does not record information on the number of developments within the consultation distances around other onshore non-nuclear major hazard installations where planning authorities have granted planning permission following HSE’s advice against development.