Proposals to require minimum distances between hazardous sites and other buildings have been introduced in parliament. The Planning (Location of Hazardous Sites) was introduced in January 2008 by Bob Spink, MP for Castle Point.
It seeks to lay down ‘binding guidance’ on minimum distances from those classified as Control of Major Accident Hazard sites, in order to protect businesses and the pubic from the threat of fire, explosion and contamination from potentially hazardous industrial sites.
Mr Spink introduced the Private Member’s Bill to help avoid a repeat of the devastating fire at the Buncefield oil depot two years ago, and against the potential dangers from proposed developments of Liquefied Natural Gas plants in his constituency and elsewhere. He warned that the consequences of an LNG explosion would be catastrophic. “A similar fire, but with LNG rather than petrol, would make Buncefield look like a village bonfire night party,” he told MPs.
The bill received its first reading unopposed and is scheduled to receive a second reading in the Commons on 6 June.
