Consultations pending

• Code of Practice for the Sustainable Use of Soils on Construction Sites(20/10/08)
• Environmental Liability Directive (27/05/08)
• Consultation on the Draft Soil Strategy for England (23/06/08)
• Planning for Sustainable Economic Development (17/03/08)

Code of Practice for the Sustainable Use of Soils on Construction Sites

I am pleased to announce that Defra has today issued a consultation on a draft Code of Practice for the sustainable use of soils on construction sites.

The purpose of the Code of Practice is to provide a practical guide to assist anyone involved in the construction industry to protect the soil resources with which they work. As well as providing environmental benefits, by following the guidance, firms could also save money.

The draft Code outlines current guidance and legislation concerning the use of soil in construction projects, before offering stage by stage guidance on the use, management and movement of soil on site. Each section explains the need for the advice and makes recommendations for good practice, including method statements, illustrations and a list of Do’s and Don’ts.

The Code is complemented by Case Studies to demonstrate both good and poor practice, as well as a range of toolbox talks for use on site.

The consultation closes on 20 October 2008. Full details, including consultation questions, can be found at:

http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/sustainable-soil-construction/index.htm

Environmental Liability Directive

Consultation on draft regulations and guidance implementing the Environmental Liability Directive 2004/35/EC with regard to the prevention and remedying of environmental damage.

The Government, in collaboration with the Welsh Assembly Government, has launched a joint consultation on separate draft Regulations on the Environmental Liability Directive (ELD).

This is a consultation on the draft regulations for England and Wales to implement Directive 2004/35

http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/env-liability-regs/

The consultation closes on 27 May 2008 .

Consultation on the Draft Soil Strategy for England

This consultation invites your views on a draft Soil Strategy for England.

The purpose of the document is to provide a sound framework for policy making and delivery with the aim of ensuring the sustainable management of England’s soils.

The draft Strategy sets out the pressures on our soils and the priority work areas that we have identified on the basis of these pressures. It explains current policy measures which are in place to achieve sustainable soil management and then sets out in broad terms what it is that we hope to achieve and some initial steps we intend to undertake in the next few years. 

The draft document can be viewed at http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/soilstrategy/consultation.pdf

The consultation closes on 23 June 2008 .

Planning for Sustainable Economic Development

This new PPS on Planning for Sustainable Economic Development sets out how planning bodies should, in the wider context of delivering sustainable development, positively plan for sustainable economic growth and respond to the challenges of the global economy, in their plan policies and planning decisions.  

A copy of the document Consultation Paper on a new Planning Policy Statement 4: Planning for Sustainable Economic Development is available on this website, or alternatively on the Department for Communities and Local Government website at

http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planningandbuilding/consultationeconomicdevelopment

The consultation closes on 17 March 2008 .