Hazard planning shake-up urged

A major review of the planning regime around major hazard sites has been urged by the independent panel set up in the wake of the explosions and fires at the fuel storage complex at Buncefield, Hertfordshire in 2005.

The panel, known as the Buncefield Major Incident Investigation Board (MIIB), has produced a report which has called for the system to be updated to take account of the "societal risk" posed by facilities like giant oil storage sites.

The MIIB has recommended a wide-ranging review of the entire system for land-use planning around hazard sites. Such a review would consider the granting of consents to site operators as well as the development control of off-site developments.

Crucially the MIIB has argued that the total population at risk should be considered for each new application. Currently the regime does not factor in the cumulative effect of new development, termed the societal risk. Such a change will involve greater use of techniques like qualified risk assessment (QRA).

The board has made it clear it wants to see the review carried out and changes to legislation and regulations introduced within five years.

The board has endorsed the principle that the local planning authority should be responsible for planning decisions but argued that the respective roles of the Health and Safety Executive, the Environment Agency and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and the site operators requires greater clarity. It also needs realignment with the parallel regulatory systems for ensuring safety and environmental protection at major hazard sites, the report argued.

Lord Tony Newton, a former Conservative Cabinet Minister and chair of the MIIB, said: "We believe there are important benefits to be secured. A more cohesive system, greater collaboration between interested parties and more refined risk assessment tools can enable industry to provide the products we need while maintaining the levels of safety that everyone expects and avoiding the unnecessary blighting of development opportunities."

Download the Buncefield Major Incident Investigation Board report. (PDF)

Roger Milne

17 July 2008