Changes have been made to the West London Waste Plan (WLWP) following concerns raised by the Mayor of London regarding its general conformity with the London Plan. The plan, which covers seven west London authorities – Brent, Ealing, Harrow, Hillingdon, Hounslow, and Richmond upon Thames, and also relates to parts of Brent and Ealing covered by the Old Oak/Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC) – aims to manage waste-related development and update the current WLWP adopted in 2015.

Map showing the West London Boroughs, the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation area, and surrounding Waste Planning Authorities.
Map showing the West London Boroughs, the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation area, and surrounding Waste Planning Authorities.

The Planning Policy Advisory Panel in Harrow met on Wednesday 15 July 2026 to discuss the proposed submission version of the WLWP. This new plan is being prepared to cover the period up to 2041 and will update policies to align with national and regional planning policies. Key differences from the current WLWP, adopted in 2015 and now considered out of date, include updated waste apportionment targets, an updated list of safeguarded existing waste sites, and revised policies against which planning applications for waste-related development will be determined. Specifically, Part G of policy WLWP 1 has been deleted in the Regulation 19 version in response to comments from the Mayor of London regarding the loss of safeguarded sites.

Map showing existing waste sites within the West London Waste Plan area, highlighting different boroughs and their respective sites.
Map showing existing waste sites within the West London Waste Plan area, highlighting different boroughs and their respective sites.

Key discussions at the meeting centred on the Mayor of London's concerns regarding waste capacity calculations and the release of safeguarded waste sites without compensatory provision. The Mayor raised concerns that the draft WLWP, as drafted, supported the release of safeguarded waste sites for other land uses without requiring alternative waste management provision elsewhere to compensate for the capacity loss. This was considered by the Mayor to conflict with London Plan policy SI9, which requires the release of safeguarded waste sites to be undertaken through a plan-led process, and could amount to a general conformity issue.

Furthermore, the Mayor expressed concerns regarding the identified capacity of safeguarded sites. The approach of using capacity values other than the maximum throughput of waste in the last five years (as favoured by the London Plan) means the WLWP may not have sufficient capacity to meet the apportionment set out in the London Plan, which would amount to a general conformity issue if unresolved. Additionally, the Mayor noted discrepancies between the definition of an existing waste site in the draft WLWP and that in the current London Plan, suggesting the WLWP's broader definition (including sites lawful through passage of time or ancillary uses) should be amended to fully align with the London Plan. Within the London Plan framework, sites are identified for safeguarding if they meet the following criteria: sites with extant planning consents for a waste use; sites with a waste use that is subject to a Certificate of Lawful Existing Use or Development (CLEUD); and sites with a waste use that is deemed to be lawful over time or ancillary to another lawful use.

A bar chart illustrating the management of different types of waste in West London, showing quantities managed inside and outside the region, as well as waste imported into West London.
A bar chart illustrating the management of different types of waste in West London, showing quantities managed inside and outside the region, as well as waste imported into West London.

Ongoing discussions with the Mayor's office are underway to resolve these issues. The outcome of these discussions will continue up to the point the plan is submitted for examination, and subject to their resolution, it may be for the inspector to ultimately take a view on these issues.

The plan's Regulation 19 version will be published for an eight-week public comment period from August to September 2026. This version of the plan meets all the requirements of planning legislation and guidance and represents the proposed submission version intended for independent examination by the Planning Inspectorate. It is the final opportunity to submit feedback on the emerging WLWP as it is the version the participating authorities intend to see adopted.

Safeguarded waste sites in Harrow, specifically Forward Drive Council depot and 151 Pinner View, remain unchanged in the Regulation 19 version. The panel agreed to note the report and appendices, recommendations to Cabinet and Council, and proposed publication arrangements, as detailed in the Public reports pack Wednesday 15 July 2026 Planning Policy Advisory Panel.

Diagram illustrating the concept of a circular economy, showing the flow from raw materials to consumption and use, and then to resource recovery and recycled materials.
Diagram illustrating the concept of a circular economy, showing the flow from raw materials to consumption and use, and then to resource recovery and recycled materials.

The participating authorities aim to submit the plan for independent examination by the end of December 2026.

A diagram illustrating the waste hierarchy, showing stages from prevention to disposal with corresponding descriptions.
A diagram illustrating the waste hierarchy, showing stages from prevention to disposal with corresponding descriptions.

Diagram illustrating the hierarchy of planning policies for waste management in West London, from national frameworks to local plans.
Diagram illustrating the hierarchy of planning policies for waste management in West London, from national frameworks to local plans.