The Planning Policy Advisory Panel met to discuss the proposed submission version of the West London Waste Plan (WLWP) and its next steps. The panel noted the report and appendices, the recommendations made to Cabinet and Council, the responses to the Regulation 18 version of the WLWP, and the proposed publication arrangements.

Proposed Submission Version of the West London Waste Plan ('Regulation 19') and Next Steps

The panel received an update on the West London Waste Plan (WLWP), a joint plan being prepared by seven West London authorities to manage waste-related development. The current WLWP, adopted in 2015, is considered out of date and requires updating to align with national and regional planning policies. The Regulation 19 version of the plan, which has been informed by consultation responses to the Regulation 18 draft, was presented. This version meets all legislative requirements and will be published for an eight-week public comment period. Following this, the plan will be submitted to the government for independent examination by a planning inspector.

Key points discussed included:

• Consultation Process: The Regulation 18 version of the plan was consulted on between December 2025 and February 2026, with 77 comments received. Notably, none of these comments directly related to Harrow.
• Mayor of London's Concerns: The Mayor of London raised concerns about the plan's general conformity with the London Plan, particularly regarding the capacity calculations for safeguarded sites and the release of safeguarded waste sites without compensatory capacity. Discussions with the Mayor's office are ongoing to resolve these issues.
• Safeguarded Sites in Harrow: The two safeguarded sites in Harrow, Forward Drive Council depot and 151 Pinner View, remain unchanged in the Regulation 19 version.
• Impact on Infrastructure: It was clarified that the plan does not propose new sites, so it is not expected to result in increased waste movements or impact local infrastructure.
• Policy WLWP7 (Wastewater Treatment Infrastructure): This policy was introduced at the request of Thames Water Utilities to safeguard existing wastewater infrastructure and provide criteria for assessing new proposals.
• Public Consultation for Regulation 19: In-person drop-in events will not be held for this stage due to limited attendance previously and a desire for a consistent approach across the seven authorities. Information will be available in libraries and online.
• Capacity Sharing: Discussions are ongoing with other London boroughs, including Westminster, Tower Hamlets, and Lambeth, regarding the potential to share surplus waste management capacity. The suitability of West London as a location for managing waste from these boroughs is being assessed.
• Single Point of Failure: Concerns were raised about Harrow's Forward Drive site being the only operational waste facility, potentially representing a single point of failure. Officers responded that the plan's approach is to safeguard existing sites, and the resilience of Forward Drive is an operational matter outside the scope of the plan's policies.
• Respondents to Consultation: The majority of the 77 comments received were from individuals and residents, with a mix of responses from businesses and organisations.

The panel was asked to note the report and appendices, the recommendations made to Cabinet and Council, the responses to the Regulation 18 consultation, and the proposed publication arrangements for the Regulation 19 version. The panel agreed to note these items.