‘Show you’re complying with new legislation’
WALES’ environmental body has been asked if it is complying with new legislation on how it approves developments – with Barry’s controversial incinerator cited as an example.
Future Generations Commissioner for Wales Sophie Howe has written to Natural Resources Wales (NRW) asking it to show how the Well-being of Future Generations Act is being applied during the environmental permitting process.
Ms Howe said a number of people had contacted her with concerns about various schemes, including the Barry Biomass plant.
Campaign groups and local residents have argued against the incinerator, claiming it could be dangerous to people’s health.
NRW said it had met with the commissioner’s office to discuss the issue.
The Future Generations Act means ministers and public bodies must take into account how a policy decision could have an impact on economic, environmental, cultural and social factors.
Ms Howe said: “Over the last few months I have been contacted by a number of people who have expressed concern about a range of developments across Wales, in particular the Barry Biomass Scheme and Hazrem waste treatment facility in Cwmfelinfach.”
She added: “The approach NRW takes in their environmental permitting decisions has emerged as a common thread in the concerns raised to me by the public and local representatives.
“As the Future Generations Commissioner I am keen to ensure that the Well-being of Future Generations Act is embedded in the work of public bodies and in particular that the process that is followed by NRW in respect of their whole approach to environmental permitting and licensing is consistent with the Act and that generally the Well-being of Future Generations Act is embedded in the work of public bodies.”
Ms Howe said she had formally requested information from NRW on how the act has been applied.
The request was made prior to the recent decision on the Barry site by NRW to grant Biomass UK No 2 Ltd a permit to start operating.
Ms Howe said NRW was “willing to cooperate” in providing the information.
The Docks Incinerator Action Group said it welcomed the commissioner’s statement.
NRW chairwoman Diane McCrea said: “We have met with the commissioner’s office on a number of occasions to discuss how the Well-being of Future Generations Act is applied in our duties, including our permitting processes. We are committed to ongoing discussions on this matter.
“Our decision documents set out how we reach our conclusions, which involves extensive public consultation including with external bodies. This is all publicly available.
“We are happy to consider further how we apply the Wales legislation to our permitting processes and would welcome the commissioner’s advice and guidance in doing this.”