Written question asked by Lord Watts (Labour) on Wednesday, 2 December 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 3 December 1998. It was answered by Richard Caborn (Labour) on Thursday, 3 December 1998 on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

Dept of the Environment Transport and the Regions

Question: Statement on what controls he envisages to give effect to the land use planning requirements of the COMAH Directive. (Further information on 07.12.1998 at 322 c50W).

Answer: Mr. Watts: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what controls he envisages to give effect to the land use planning requirements of the COMAH Directive; and if he will make a statement. [62586] Mr. Caborn: The Government have today issued draft Regulations to implement the land use requirements of Directive 96/82/EC on the Control of Major Accident Hazards. Amendments are to be made to the Planning Hazardous Substances consents procedures to implement these provisions of the Directive while maintaining existing health and safety standards where these differ from the Directive. Changes to the Development Plan Regulations will ensure that local planning authorities take account of the requirements of the Directive when drawing up their development plans.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 62586; 321 c270W
Session: 1998-99
EC documents: Dir96/82/EC
Subjects: EU law Health and safety Hazardous substances Land use Industrial accidents Planning permission