The Health and Safety Authority is seeking public feedback on new guidance that sets out the policy and practice of the Authority in the provision of technical land-use planning advice to planning authorities.
The Seveso Directive [2012/18/EU] requires that the objectives of preventing major accidents and limiting their consequences should be taken into account in land-use policy and this has been implemented by the COMAH Regulations of 2015.
The objectives are to be achieved through controls on:
- Siting and development of new establishments.
- Modifications to existing establishments.
- Development in the vicinity of establishments.
This proposed new guidance, setting out the HSA’s policy and practice in providing technical land-use planning advice to planning authorities, replaces the guidance document ‘Policy & Approach of the HSA to COMAH Risk-based Land Use Planning’ (19 March 2010).
It reflects the relevant changes in the COMAH Regulations for 2015, especially in relation to land-use planning and significant modifications at COMAH establishments. It sets out a consistent risk-based approach to generating technical LUP advice across all sectors.
New sections have been added on the LNG, Recovered Natural Gas (RNG) and Distillery/Warehouse sectors, while provision is made to slot new sections into the framework as new sectors emerge.
Many of the parameters required for risk-based modelling have been specified and a revised approach to societal risk has been set out. The Guidance has been developed with input from COMAH technical experts. The closing date for submissions is Friday 19 March.
Click here for a more detailed overview and for a copy of the Guidance on Technical Land-use Planning Advice click here.