Waste Planning
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Question 1: What is the County Council’s role in Waste Management and Planning?
Question 2: Who is responsible for the day to day collection of household waste?
Question 3: Who is responsible for the operation of recycling centres?
Question 6: What is the difference between the Waste Management Strategy and the Waste Local Plan?
Question 9: What is the current state of the Waste Local Plan?
Question 10: Where can I see a copy of the Waste Local Plan?
Question 11: What should I do if I wish to comment on the current version of the Waste Local Plan?
Question 12: How can I contact the County Council for further information or advice regarding the Waste Local Plan?
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Question 1: What is the County Council’s role in Waste Management and Planning?
Whilst the County Council is responsible for all issues regarding waste disposal and waste planning within the county, it is not responsible for waste collection – this is a responsibility of the District Councils. The County Council has produced two relevant documents: the Municipal Waste Management Strategy which sets out a framework for the management of municipal waste within the county, and the Waste Local Plan which sets out the County Council’s land use policies relating to waste management facilities, so as to ensure that sufficient facilities can be provided for the disposal of all waste produced within the County, and to provide detailed criteria against which planning applications can be assessed. The County Council deals with all planning applications for facilities for the management and disposal of waste; for example, transfer stations, recycling centres, waste processing sites and landfill sites.
Question 2: Who is responsible for the day to day collection of household waste?
The District, Borough and City Councils, together with the Unitary Authorities of Plymouth and Torbay are responsible for the collection of household waste. To contact them regarding problems or queries, please click on one of the links shown below:
- East Devon District Council
- Exeter City Council
- Mid Devon District Council
- Teignbridge District Council
- North Devon District Council
- Torridge District Council
- South Hams District Council
- West Devon Borough Council
- Plymouth City Council
- Torbay Council
Question 3: Who is responsible for the operation of recycling centres (CARC sites)?
Recycling Centres are run by the Waste Management section of Devon County Council. If you have a query regarding the operation of these sites, please click on the link below:
Question 4: Who is responsible for the waste planning, waste management and disposal of waste in Dartmoor and Exmoor National Parks?
Dartmoor and Exmoor National Parks are responsible for producing their own Waste Local Plans, although the National Parks have been consulted as part of the plan making process. Devon County Council provide recycling facilities in both National Parks, but all final disposal takes place outside the Park boundaries.
Question 5: Who is responsible for the waste planning, waste management and disposal in the Unitary Authorities of Plymouth and Torbay?
Plymouth and Torbay are responsible for producing their own Waste Local Plans, and for developing their own municipal waste management strategies, but both unitary authorities were partners in the development of Devon’s Municipal Waste Management Strategy.
Question 6: What is the difference between the Waste Management Strategy and the Waste Local Plan?
The Municipal Waste Management Strategy for Devon provides the framework for the management of municipal waste within Devon until 2035. Municipal waste is defined as all wastes collected by the Local Authorities, including that from households, some industrial and commercial waste, fly tipped waste and beach cleansing, as well as that which is taken to County Council recycling centres. The strategy details how this waste should be collected and disposed of, as well as methods to reduce the amount of waste produced.
The Waste Local Plan is essentially a land-use plan that details where waste should be disposed of, but does not identify the ways in which specific wastes should be managed. It sets out objectives and policies that will guide decisions on proposals for waste management facilities for all types of waste up to 2016, setting out the criteria against which planning applications for waste management facilities will be assessed.
Question 7: Who prepares the Municipal Waste Management Strategy which sets out the framework for the management of municipal (household) waste within the administrative area of Devon?
Devon’s Municipal Waste Management Strategy has been prepared jointly by Devon County Council’s Waste Management Team, and the District Councils as Waste Collection Authorities, together with the Unitary Councils of Plymouth and Torbay, and the Environment Agency.
Question 8: Who prepares the Devon County Waste Local Plan which sets out the County Council’s objectives and policies that will guide decisions on proposals for waste management facilities within the administrative area of Devon?
Devon’s Waste Local Plan has been prepared by the Devon County Council’s Minerals and Waste Planning Policy Team. During the preparation of the Plan, the development of policies and objectives has been guided by the Waste Management Strategy, and the District Councils in Devon have been involved and consulted throughout the process.
Question 9: What is the current state of the Waste Local Plan?
The First Deposit Version of the Devon County Waste Local Plan was published in January, 2003. Following feedback from the consultation process, this was to be replaced by a Second Deposit Version in 2004. However, under new legislation introduced as part of the Planning and Compensation Act, the document will now be re-deposited with amendments, and “saved” for a period of three years, during which time a new-style Waste Development Plan Document will be prepared. This revised version of the Waste Local Plan is due to be published in Spring 2005. The community will then have the opportunity to make representations over a minimum six week consultation period.
Question 10: Where can I see a copy of the Waste Local Plan?
The First Deposit Version may be viewed on line by following the link below:
Copies of the First Deposit Version are still available for purchase. Please click on the link below for details:
When published, the revised re-deposited version will be available to view online, and may also be viewed at the main council offices of Devon County Council. Alternatively, copies may be purchased as above.
Question 11: What should I do if I wish to comment on the current version of the Waste Local Plan?
Following the publication of the re-deposited Plan, there will be an on-line form available for representations during the consultation period of the Plan. Alternatively, comments may be sent by post to:
Waste Policy Section, Devon County Council, Room ABG Lucombe House, County Hall, Topsham Road, EXETER, EX2 4QW
Question 12: How can I contact the County Council for further information or advice regarding the Waste Local Plan?
Contact the Waste Planning Team by telephone; 01392 383280, by email to (link to online comments form), or by letter to Waste Policy Section, Devon County Council, Room ABG Lucombe House, County Hall, Topsham Road, EXETER, EX2 4QW.
We will endeavour to deal with your enquiry within the following timescales; however this may be dependent on the complexity of your query:
Telephone enquiries:48 hours if the subject cannot be dealt with immediately
Letters:10 working days
E-mails:3 working days
