HSE’s land use planning advice around large scale petrol storage sites

Following the explosion and fire at Buncefield Oil Storage Depot on 11 December 2005 and the consequent Buncefield Major Incident Investigation, the emerging findings from the investigation enabled HSE to review its policy for giving land use planning advice around this and other similar sites.

Earlier this year HSE carried out a public consultation on ‘Proposals for revised policies for HSE advice on development control around large-scale petrol storage sites’ (CD211).  The results of that consultation and the overlapping Societal Risk consultation will shortly be published on HSE’s website.

Following the consultation HSE has decided to implement Option 4 as set out in the consultation document.  This will increase the size of the consultation distance at most large scale petrol storage sites to 400m.  Within this a new Development Proximity Zone is introduced (an area measuring 150m radius from the petrol storage area) within which HSE would advise against new developments other than those ‘not normally occupied’.

HSE is now working to put these arrangements in place by early summer 2008. These arrangements are interim, albeit likely to last some years, until the results of research into the vapour cloud explosion mechanism may allow the adoption of a more demonstrably risk-based policy. 

In the intervening period i.e. up to summer 2008, where planning applications come forward, HSE will provide Planning Authorities with cautious advice. The Department of Communities & Local Government, Scottish Government, and Welsh Assembly have been informed of the forthcoming change.