Cornwall Waste Needs Assessment

Stage 1 – Review of Existing Evidence

• Review existing waste planning evidence, national guidance and relevant legislation.
• Review current Cornwall waste policies and any relevant neighbouring Waste Planning Authority evidence.
• Agree methodology, assumptions, datasets and forecasting approach with Cornwall Council.

Stage 2 – Assessment of Existing Waste Management Capacity

Prepare an assessment of existing waste management capacity across Cornwall including:

• Current operational waste management facilities.
• Existing Waste Planning Permissions.
• Environmental Permits/Waste Management Licences.
• Annual throughput using the Environment Agency Waste Data Interrogator.
• Survey and verification of operational waste sites.
• Existing treatment capacity by waste stream and facility type.
• Analysis of operational constraints where relevant.

Stage 3 – Assessment of Future Waste Arisings

Prepare forecasts of future waste arisings throughout the Local Plan period including:

• Local Authority Collected Waste.
• Commercial and Industrial Waste.
• Construction, Demolition and Excavation Waste.
• Hazardous Waste (where appropriate).
• Other relevant waste streams such as wastewater, agricultural waste, low level radioactive waste, clinical waste

Forecasts should consider:

• Population growth.
• Housing and employment growth.
• Economic forecasts.
• Historic waste trends.
• Recycling and composting targets.
• National policy objectives.
• Waste reduction initiatives and changes in waste composition.

Stage 4 – Assessment of Additional Waste Management Capacity Requirements

Using the findings of the previous assessments, identify:

• Existing capacity available throughout the plan period.
• Forecast demand for each waste stream.
• Capacity surpluses and deficits.
• The quantity and type of additional waste management capacity required.
• The broad timing of additional provision.
• Any implications for future waste site allocations or safeguarding policies.

The assessment should clearly identify where sufficient capacity exists and where additional facilities may be required to meet future needs.

A Cross Boundary Waste Movements paper

A separate technical paper should assess:

• Current waste imports and exports between Cornwall and neighbouring Waste Planning Authorities.
• Waste arisings within neighbouring authority areas where relevant.
• Nationally significant waste management requirements.
• Existing and future cross-boundary waste movements.
• Whether existing or planned facilities are capable of continuing to accommodate these movements.