Answers to the Written Assembly Questions for answer on 10 February 2010

[R] signifies that the Member has declared an interest.
[W] signifies that the question was tabled in Welsh.

Contents

Questions to the Deputy First Minister and Minister for the Economy and Transport

Questions to the Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing

Questions to the Minister for Health and Social Services

To ask the Minister for the Economy and Transport

William Graham (South Wales East): Will the Minister outline the progress with regard to the implementation of the Newport Southern Distributor Road through the former Corus site to the M4 Motorway. (WAQ55586)

William Graham (South Wales East): Will the Minister confirm when consultation concerning the connection of the Newport Southern Distributor Road through the former Corus site to the M4 Motorway will commence. (WAQ55587)

William Graham (South Wales East): When will the Minister be able to publish an estimated cost for the connection of the Newport Southern Distribution Road through the former Corus site to the M4  Motorway. (WAQ55588)

William Graham (South Wales East): Will the Minister confirm when the plans for the connection of the Newport Southern Distributory Road through the former Corus site to the M4 Motorway will be available. (WAQ55589)

Answer issued on 02 March 2010

My officials are working closely with Newport City Council, Corus and other Stakeholders to develop the design and plan construction of the connection of the Newport Southern Distributor Road through the former Corus site to the M4 Motorway.  Construction is scheduled to commence in early 2011 and is currently estimated to cost around £20m.  Plans of the Road will be available in the summer.

To ask the Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing

Mick Bates (Montgomeryshire): What consideration has the Minister given to calculating planning fees based on the actual area of the wind turbine itself, rather than by the number of hectares covered by the site in total. (WAQ55583)

Answer issued on 12 February 2010

The planning application fees level for wind turbines was considered during preparation of the Town and Country Planning (Fees for Applications and Deemed Applications) (Amendments) (Wales) Regulations 2009. Fees for turbines submitted under Town and Country Planning legislation are calculated on the basis of the area of application site enclosing the turbines and not the sum of footprints for each turbine. This is because the turbines in windfarms are linked by service tracks and by underground cabling. Our approach is consistent with that used elsewhere in the UK.

Nerys Evans (Mid and West Wales): What assessment has the Minister made of Environment Agency Wales' ability to fulfil its function to protect the environment should there be any incidents following the establishment of Pembroke Dock Power Station. (WAQ55584)  

Nerys Evans (Mid and West Wales): What consideration has the Minister given as to where responsibility would lie for protecting the environment should there be any incidents following the establishment of Pembroke Dock Power Station, which is a matter wholly reserved to the UK Government. (WAQ55585)

Answer issued on 12 February 2010

The Environment Agency is currently anticipating the receipt of an application from RWE Npower for the operation of a gas fired power station at Pembroke. Whilst it is premature for the Agency to speculate on whether an application would be successful, it is able to respond in general terms about how it protects the environment from such permitted facilities.

The Agency’s permits have standard conditions in them to regulate emissions from point sources and to ensure management plans for fugitive emissions are in place. It also requires that management systems are in place which identify and minimises risks of pollution, including those arising from operations, maintenance, accidents, incidents, non-conformances and closure and those drawn to the attention of the operator as a result of complaints. Pollution from the authorised process would clearly fall to the Agency to regulate.

The Environment Agency is a Category 1 responder under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 and is well practised in responding to pollution incidents. The Agency regularly exercises with partners to ensure that it has a rapid response to pollution incidents around Milford Haven. Incident response would depend on the nature and severity of the event and the relevant emergency plan that may be triggered.

There are currently 5 upper tier sites around Milford Haven as defined by the Control of Major Accident and Hazard Regulations (COMAH) 1999. It is possible that the proposed power station at Pembroke may be a lower tier COMAH site.

The Agency have rehearsed several scenarios of pollution occurring as a result of an incident at the existing facilities, or a vessel approaching any jetty or port facilities within Milford Haven. The Agency has assured me that each responder’s roles are clearly understood and have been practised.

The Agency has an ongoing programme of training and exercising to ensure its response levels are maintained.

To ask the Minister for Health and Social Services

Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): When does the Minister intend to publish her latest plans for services for dementia patients. (WAQ55590)

Answer issued on 09 February 2010

I am committed to developing services for people with dementia. Last year a group, chaired by Ian Thomas, Director of the Alzheimer’s Society in Wales, was set up to oversee work on the draft National Dementia Plan, which subsequently went through public consultation.

Following this consultation, six priority areas for improvement have been identified and I have established independent, external expert groups in each of these areas. Chairs to lead these groups are being appointed and the groups will meet shortly to plan the key priorities to improve the lives of people with dementia.