asked the Minister for the Environment the steps he will take to ensure that residents' and tenants' associations and local community councils are consulted prior to the dumping or storage of toxic substances in their areas.
Written Answers. - Toxic Waste Desposal Facilities.
47.
There is considerable provision in law for public consultation in regard to any proposal to provide toxic waste disposal facilities in a particular area. Under the European Communities (Toxic and Dangerous Waste) Regulations, 1982, each county council and county borough corporation is responsible for the planning, organisation and supervision of operations for the disposal of toxic and dangerous waste in its area and must produce a statutory plan designed to ensure that such waste is disposed of without endangering human health or harming the environment. The local authority must give public notice of the making of such a plan and arrange to have a copy available for public inspection.
In addition, under the planning code, any proposal by a person or body other then a local authority to provide such facilities is subject to the normal planning control procedure which involves the giving of public notice and allows for full public participation in the consideration of the development at planning authority level as well as in any appeal process.