Hansard

Waste Management: North Yorkshire

Volume 698: debated on Wednesday 23 January 2008

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Baroness Harris of Richmond

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have received representations from residents of Melmerby, North Yorkshire about the decision of Harrogate Borough Council to allow the storage of hazardous, toxic and flammable materials within 400 metres of their homes; and [HL1272]

What assessment has been made of the suitability of the storage of hazardous, toxic and flammable materials between a timber yard and a fireworks plant following a decision taken by Harrogate Borough Council. [HL1273]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government
(Baroness Andrews)

Decisions on whether consent should be granted for the storage of certain types of hazardous substances above specified levels are matters for local authorities following consultation with the Health and Safety Executive and the Environment Agency. The Health and Safety Executive provides advice on the risk that would be presented to people in the surrounding area; the Environment Agency on the risk to the environment.

In respect of a proposal for the storage of hazardous substances by the Potter Group at Green Lane, Melmerby, the Health and Safety Executive was consulted in February 2007. It advised that, subject to compliance with the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, and with specific conditions relating to the storage of hazardous substances on site, the risks to the surrounding population from the proposed operation(s) were so small that there was no significant reason on safety grounds for refusing hazardous substances consent.

The local authority resolved at a meeting on 28 August to grant the Potter Group consent for the storage of specified hazardous substances subject to conditions as to storage specified by the Health and Safety Executive, and to voluntary revocation by the Potter Group of an existing hazardous substances consent relating to the storage of ammonium nitrate fertiliser.

Representations have been made by a local residents group to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and to the Health and Safety Executive. However, as I have explained, this is a matter for the relevant local authority.