The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government has announced the decision on a planning application to develop the Pavilion End of the Oval Cricket Ground in London. The Secretary of State has accepted the Planning Inspector's recommendation that the development be given planning permission.
HSE notes the outcome of the Planning Inquiry, which we shall be studying in detail. In this case HSE has based its advice on the best assessment of risk that it could make, as it will continue to do, when giving land use planning advice on other planning applications.
HSE had advised the London Borough of Lambeth against the development (which included a new stand and hotel) due to its proximity to a gasholder. When informed that the borough was minded to grant planning permission, HSE requested the case be 'called in' by the Secretary of State for her own decision.
A public inquiry was held in October and November 2008 at which HSE gave evidence regarding the major accident risks from the gasholder.
HSE is legally required to give planning authorities advice on the nature and severity of risks presented by major hazards to people in the area surrounding proposed developments, so that those risks can be given due weight, when balanced against other relevant planning considerations, in making planning decisions. This is only the fourth time in 30 years that HSE has requested that a case be 'called in'.
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