I'm doing a bit of research into biomass generation and I'm struggling to understand where it fits in terms of the division of responsibilities between Local Planning Authority and Minerals and Waste Planning Authority. My understanding is; If a biomass plant burns waste wood and timber, agricultural waste and biodegradable waste such as sewage sludge, animal manure, waste wood from construction, and food waste, it constitutes a waste treatment use and any planning application would be a County Matter. Conversely, if it burns energy crops or clean timber, it would not involve waste disposal and any proposal would be determined by the LPA. The difficulty exists with plants capable of either or both. Operators will clearly prefer maximum flexibility. If an LPA seeks to control the fuel source by condition, what happens if the operator seeks a variation?. Does anyone have any experience of this?
