Site Waste Managment Plans— its the law

In 2005, the Government published the Clean Neighbourhood and Environmental Act which included the provision for legislating for SWMPs. Following a consultation conducted by Defra in 2007 on draft SWMP regulations, as of 6 April 2008, it is a legal requirement for all construction projects in England over £300,000 to have a SWMP, with a more detailed plan required for projects over £500,000.

These plans are designed to encourage better waste management practices, improve environmental performance, reduce the cost of waste disposal and reduce waste crime such as fly-tipping. It is estimated that a fly-tipping incident occurs every 35 seconds which costs approximately £45 million to dispose and clean, £5 million in enforcement and £50 million cost to landowners per year.

Both local authorities and the Environment Agency have the power to enforce SWMP implementation and the Code for Sustainable Homes already requires the mandatory use of a SWMP.

The SWMP regulations and supporting documents can be downloaded from the Defra website

Click on the icon below for further information about these plans from Defra

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