Planning control of industrial hazard in a major metropolitan planning authority

Abstract

The incorporation of safety considerations into land-development control decisions associated with nonnuclear hazardous installations in a major metropolitan planning authority area in the United Kingdom is examined. The experience of the case-study authority over the last ten years is examined with reference to the operation of the consultation procedure whereby advice on safety issues is obtained from the Health and Safety Executive, and with reference to the impact that consideration of safety has had on land-use around hazardous sites. Evidence is presented of serious difficulties in planning for nonnuclear major hazard installations and of problems with past and existing consultation procedures. A further aim of the paper is to draw wider conclusions in relation to difficulties in land-use planning around hazardous installations in general. Topical and controversial planning considerations are raised within an empirical context.