Decision details

RESOLVED:

That:

1)    Regulation 18 consultation on the Draft West London Waste Plan attached in Appendix C be agreed;

2)    Authority be delegated to the Director of Planning and Sustainable Growth (as Chief Planning Officer) to make minor modifications to the draft Plan before consultation launch (in conjunction with other participating boroughs);

3)    the outcome of the consultation be reported back to Cabinet in 2026 with subsequent approval sought for a second round of consultation known as Regulation 19.

Reasons for decision

The Cabinet Member for Planning, Housing and Growth introduced the report on the Regulation 18 consultation for the draft West London Waste Plan. It was explained that no decision was being taken on the final content of the plan or on any individual site at this stage, as this was a statutory consultation required under national planning legislation. The Cabinet Member stressed the importance of maintaining a lawful and up-to-date development plan, noting that the current plan was ten years old and no longer reflected national policy, the 2021 London Plan, or the scale and type of waste now expected to be managed. Failure to progress the plan would leave Hillingdon and neighbouring boroughs exposed when determining applications for waste-related development.

The draft plan was said to achieve three main objectives: it set out updated waste projections for the next fifteen years, identified safeguarded sites that already provide the necessary capacity, and refreshed the policies used to assess waste development across West London. The Cabinet Member explained that no new waste sites were proposed, making clear that evidence showed West London currently had sufficient waste management capacity to meet London’s planned apportionment. With the London Plan review underway and operators potentially shifting position, a call for sites was described as best practice and routine housekeeping, consistent with the approach taken by partner boroughs.

The Cabinet Member noted that joint working arrangements on this continued to deliver substantial savings compared to the Council producing a standalone waste plan. Starting the consultation would ensure compliance with national deadlines, protect the Borough’s influence over the plan, and support Hillingdon’s commitment to maintaining a clean and well-run borough.

Cabinet agreed to undertake regulation 18 consultation on the draft West London Waste Plan alongside other participating boroughs.

Alternative options considered and rejected

None, as there was a requirement to have an up-to-date Waste Local Plan against which to determine planning applications for waste related development.