Planning framework for the future of Dounreay site approved
Members of The Highland Council’s Planning, Environment and Development Committee have approved a development brief for future land use and site restoration plans at the former nuclear power research site at Dounreay, near Thurso in Caithness.
Dounreay Planning Framework 2 (DPF2) presents an up-to-date overview of the policy context, regulatory regimes, site restoration programme and decommissioning works and provides explanation of the wider context for the component developments that are anticipated to be required. It replaces the existing Dounreay Planning Framework that has been in place since 2006, as a land use development brief against which to regulate and control future decommissioning and restoration works proposed at the site. DPF2 has been prepared by the Council in partnership with Dounreay Site Restoration Limited, the site operator.
The document went out for consultation in November last year and the key issues that came forward included matters the site restoration programme and what the Council expects for the interim end state for the site, that will be delivered by Phases 2 and 3 of the programme. Key issues also included concerns around environmental protection, community benefit, end uses and developer requirements.
Once cleared by the Scottish Government DPF2 will become adopted by the Council and used to guide future planning decisions, though consideration will be given to it in any planning decisions in the meantime.
Chairman of the Planning, Environment and Development Committee, Councillor Thomas Prag said: “I want to thank everyone who has taken part in the consultation for their comments and hope they feel their points have been addressed in the revisions we have made.
“Essentially DPF2 is a land use document which presents an up-to-date overview addressing a wide number of factors and it will allow us to strategically plan for the future of this key site. Importantly, it has the flexibility to be able to give a measured response to any issues that will, no doubt, come up as work on decommissioning the site continues.”
Members of the Planning, Environment and Development Committee agreed the changes made to the draft following the consultation and DPF2 will now go forward to Scottish Ministers as part of the process of getting it adopted as Supplementary Guidance.
The draft was presented earlier this week to the Caithness and Sutherland Area Committee. Area Convener, Councillor Deirdre Mackay said: “This is a very important piece of work so I am pleased to see that the comments we made during our meeting in Golspie have been considered and on our recommendation the PED Committee have approved the revised version.”