National Waste Management Plan pushed back to 2013

Industry officials have voiced concern that waste projects could face major delays after the announcement that the publication of a National Waste Management Plan (NWMP) is to be pushed back to the end of 2013.

The announcement coincided with planning minister Greg Clark's statement that he will not be including specific waste policies in new planning guidelines because they would be addressed in the NWMP. The release of the publication was set for spring this year, but this has been set back until the end of 2013, according to an updated progress report.

The delay has been met with concern from environmental commentators, many of whom believe that pushing plans back will lead to a hiatus in waste planning approvals.

Environmental Services Association policy director Matthew Farrow said: “ESA is concerned that Defra has not met planned timeframes in some important areas, such as development of the NWMP and a guide for energy-from-waste, which could have a significant impact on creating a more efficient and sustainable waste management industry.”

The progress report has also unveiled that several other deadlines have been missed, such as last year's Waste Review and the publication of an energy-from-waste guide.

Published by Claire Manning