Buncefield aftermath to inform new planning regs
March 5, 2007
The magnitude of the Buncefield explosions and fire in December 2005 was such that it was a little short of a miracle no one was killed. Nonetheless, the incident has had serious implications for land use planning in close proximity to petrol storage sites.
Local planning authorities must first engage with the HSE over any proposed development around such sites. And it is the advice the HSE provides which is the subject of a public consultation published this week.
The HSE has always sought to help planning authorities achieve an appropriate balance between protection for individuals who live and work around sites such as Buncefield and the need to allow economic and social development.
However, the Buncefield incident has forced the safety body to re-examine the objectives, principles and outcomes of its land use planning advice and ask whether that balance is right.
The consultation document briefly describes the background to the land use planning system around major hazards sites and then considers the Buncefield incident and its implications for land use planning.
The paper sets out four options for changing HSE advice and poses a range of questions on the subject, including extending current planning development zones.
Another consultation on the societal risk associated with such installations is planned for spring. The closing date for responses to the current consultation is 22 May 2007.
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