10.2.10 Control of Major Accident Hazards Directive (Seveso II Directive)

10.2.10 Control of Major Accident Hazards Directive (Seveso II Directive)

The Major Accidents Directive[1] (known as the Seveso II Directive), seeks to reduce the risk and to limit the consequences to both man and the environment, of accidents at manufacturing and storage facilities involving dangerous substances. 

There are a total of three Upper Tier Seveso (Control of Major Accident Hazards Involving Dangerous Substances) (Revocation) Regulations 2015 (S.I. No. 208 of 2015) sites in the county; Grassland Fertilisers (Kilkenny) Ltd. Palmerstown, Tullaroan Road, Kilkenny; Nitrofert Ltd., Raheen, New Ross and Trans-Stock Warehousing and Cold Storage Ltd., Christendom, Ferrybank.  There are two Lower Tier Seveso Sites in close proximity to Co. Kilkenny. See list below. It should be noted that these are the only sites currently identified and that there may be additional sites designated in the future.

Article 12 of the Directive provides that appropriate consultation procedures must be put in place so as to ensure that, before decisions are taken, technical advice is available to Planning Authorities in respect of relevant establishments. The Health and Safety Authority (or the National Authority for Occupational Health and Safety NAOSH) provides such advice where appropriate in respect of planning applications within a certain distance of the perimeter of these sites. 

10.2.10.1 Seveso Sites

The Council will, in consultation with the Health and Safety Authority, control development with regards to SEVESO designated sites for the purposes of reducing the risk or limiting the consequences of a major accident.

Objective:

10H     It is an objective of the Council to, with due regard to the provisions of the Major Accidents Directive and Regulations, give effect to the Directive by controlling development with respect to—

• The siting of Major Accident Hazard sites

• The modification of an existing Major Accident Hazard site

• Development in the vicinity of a Major Accident Hazard site

10.2.10.2 Seveso Development Management Requirement

The Councils will consult with the Health & Safety Authority when assessing proposals for development of, in or near sites which are identified under the COMAH (Seveso II) Directive.