Minerals Policies

MONITORING REPORT 2013

1 April 2012 – 31 March 2013

December 2013 Reviewed June 2014

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Contents

Page

1. Introduction……………………………………………………………………………...3 2. Background to Monitoring……………………………………………….……………3 2.1 Purpose of the Monitoring Report document………………………………….……..4 2.2 The Minerals Core Strategy …………………………………….…………………...... 4 2.3 How we have achieved the milestones set out in our programme for Preparing our Development Plan documents for minerals……………………...…..4

3. in Context…………………………………………………………………….…5 3.1 Households (need to provide for new dwellings)……………………………….…….5 3.2 Development trends……………………………………………………………….….....5 3.3 Economy…………………………………………………………………………..……...6 3.4 Minerals information……………………………………………………………..….…...6

4. Future provision of sand and gravel in the County………………………………7 4.1 East of Aggregate Working Party advice on demand for sand and gravel………………………………………………………………………………...7 4.2 Maintaining of seven-year landbank in accordance with NPPF………………...... 7 4.3 Need for a review………………………………………………………………………..8 4.4 Duty to co-operate…………………………………………………………………...... 8

5. Facilitating the sustainable use of minerals - facts and achievements……….9 5.1 The Vision set out in the Minerals Core Strategy…………………………...………..9 5.2 Performance of Minerals Core Strategy (1 April 2012 to 31 March 2013)…………………………………………………………………….………………...9 5.3 Applications coming forward for consideration and decisions taken…………...... 10

6. Monitoring………………………………………………………………………..…...…12 6.1 Monitoring of sites…………………………………………………………………...... 12

7. Conclusions…………………………...... 13

Appendix A……………………………………………………………………………...…..14

2 1. Introduction

1.1 Suffolk produces sand and g ravel and c halk. Sand and gravel underpins the construction sector and the chalk supports the agricultural sector. These mineral resources make an essential contribution to the nation’s prosperity and t o the quality of life. Sand and gravel provides the critical raw material for both economic and community infrastructure, manufacturing and for maintenance of infrastructure.

1.2 There are a number of sources supplying aggregates, which include secondary, recycled and marine sources. However, the majority of aggregate demand is met from extraction from land. There are also significant geographical imbalances in the occurrence of suitable natural aggregate resources, and the areas where they are most needed.

1.3 Suffolk County Council (SCC) has completed its original programme of Development Plan Documents (DPD) by adopting both a Minerals Core Strategy and a Minerals Specific Sites Allocation DPD.

1.4 The County Council is required to produce an annual Monitoring Report (MR). This monitors progress on the implementation of policies set out in the adopted documents. The Monitoring Report also helps to assess whether changes are required to these documents.

1.5 The County Council also surveys mineral production on an annual basis. It a lso estimates the amount of secondary or recycled aggregates produced and collates the number and scale of new planning permissions granted for mineral extraction, progress on restoration of sites and the size of the minerals landbank.

2. Background to Monitoring

2.1 Purpose of the Monitoring Report document

2.1.1 The primary purpose of the Monitoring Report (MR) is to share the performance and achievements of the planning service with the local community. To achieve this objective Suffolk County Council produces a Monitoring Report to monitor the effectiveness of Suffolk Minerals Core Strategy policies and the Minerals Specific Site Allocations document. It provides information on the need, if any, for a review of those policies. The purpose of this report is to identify an effective way to gather evidence for future policy, and support development management decisions. It also identifies areas where objectives aren’t being met and changes to policy or development management are necessary.

2.1.2 The Localism Act removed the requirement for local planning authorities to submit an Annual Monitoring Report (AMR) to Government, while retaining the overall duty to monitor implementation of the Development Plan. Because of this, authorities can now choose which targets and indicators to include in the report as long as they are in line with the relevant UK and EU legislation.

2.1.3 This Monitoring Report was prepared in accordance with the Development Plan Regulations 2012 and informed by the Planning Advisory Service (PAS)

3 document ‘Monitoring that matters – towards a better AMR’ April 2011. The MR will inform the Local Aggregate Assessment.

2.1.4 Suffolk County Council has prepared and consulted on a Local Aggregate Assessment (LAA) in 2013 and intends to prepare an updated LAA document and consult on i t in 2014. LAA is an important component for informing the Managed Aggregates Supply System and provides an assessment of the future need for aggregates and how this may be supplied. It will be pr epared in compliance with the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and the subsequent Department of Communities and Local Government guidance and be the subject of consultation with the Aggregate Working Party.

2.2 The Minerals Core Strategy

2.2.1 The Minerals Core Strategy provides a vision for how mineral extraction should be managed in the county and identifies the social, economic and environmental objectives to achieve this vision. It also includes a Spatial Strategy indicating where new minerals development may be acceptable and identifies how much mineral extraction needs to be planned for in Suffolk up until 2021.

2.2.2 It also contains a range of Development Control policies for mineral planning proposals that will inform future planning decisions. All minerals development proposals in Suffolk should accord with the Core Strategy.

2.2.3 The MR includes information on a pplications for planning permission, active quarries and recycling operations and, during this MR year, the monitoring of the Adopted Minerals Core Strategy and M inerals Specific Site Allocations DPD where relevant or applicable. Minerals returns are provided by the Industry on a calendar year basis and unless otherwise specified, information relates to the calendar year 2012.

2.2.4 The MR continues to report on issues relating to the reserves of minerals, the uptake of sites and the application of development management policies.

2.3 How we have achieved the milestones set out in our programme for preparing our Development Plan documents for minerals

2.3.1 The milestones set out in the County Council’s most recent Development Scheme (originally approved December 2006, and published in final form August 2009) have all been met as follows (see Appendix A);

2.3.2 Minerals Core Strategy: The Minerals Core Strategy was adopted by Council on 25th September 2008.

2.3.3 Minerals Specific Site Allocation: The Minerals Specific Site Allocation DPD was adopted by Council on 24th September 2009.

4 2.3.4 Sustainability Appraisal: Alongside the development plan documents there is a requirement to produce sustainability appraisal reports on the documents. Their production ran in parallel to the preparation of the minerals and w aste development documents. Consultation on them occurred at the same time as the corresponding DPD so that their timetable for production mirrors that of these other documents.

2.3.5 Suffolk County Council is in the process of preparing a new Development Scheme and intends to publish details of this later in 2014.

3. Suffolk in Context

3.1 Households (need to provide for new dwellings)

3.1.1 Aggregate minerals underpin the construction sector and provide the critical raw material for built development and infrastructure. An important construction demand is the need to provide for new dwellings in Suffolk at an average build rate of 3211 per year. The current figure for the construction of new dwellings in 2012-2013 was around 1866 per annum (2011 figure was 1,993 source Suffolk Observatory). There has been a s ignificant decline in the number of housing completions in Suffolk in recent years and this has had an effect on the construction sector and on the minerals industry.

3.2 Development trends

3.2.1 It is expected that growth will occur in all districts within Suffolk. With a particular focus in and around , North Haverhill, North West Stowmarket and . These locations have been identified within the New Anglian Strategic Economic Plan, a l ocal enterprise partnership, as particular growth locations where significant employment, business expansion and housing provision is expected to be achieved between now and 2026.

http://www.newanglia.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/New-Anglia-Strategic- Economic-Plan-V2.pdf

3.2.2 There are also areas allocated for employment development such as East of Stowmarket, Sudbury, Adastral Park, and Suffolk Business Park that would need roads and infrastructure and these together with the growth locations would rely on, and create a demand for, aggregate provision.

3.2.3 The Suffolk Local Transport Plan 2011 -2031 identifies significant highways works either planned or potentially programmed in Suffolk within the plan period. Such works would have an impact on the demand for local minerals and include such infrastructure schemes as Haverhill Northern Bypass and the completion of the Bury St. Edmunds Eastern Relief Road.

http://www.suffolk.gov.uk/assets/suffolk.gov.uk/Environment%20and%20Transp ort/Planning/2011-07-06%20Suffolk%20Local%20Plan%20Part%201%20lr.pdf

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3.3 Economy

3.3.1 House building relies on the provision of aggregates. Like most other parts of the country, the housing market has been weak since the recession. The impact on the supply of new homes was more severe across the New Anglia area than the UK average. Current completion rates in the area are only 38% of those delivered in 2007—08, whereas the national equivalent figure is 55%. However, there are some encouraging signs the housing market has started to recover and that more and more new homes are being built, boosting the construction industry and increasing the demand for minerals and aggregates.

3.3.2 In the medium term, there are a number of potential large-scale projects that would boost the demand for minerals and aggregates including the possible construction of Sizewell C nuclear power station. Sizewell C would be one of the largest civilian construction projects in the region.

3.4 Minerals information

3.4.1 The solid geology of Suffolk consists mostly of Cretaceous Chalk deposits, with London Clay, Reading Beds and Thanet Beds present in the east of the County. The solid geology is largely covered by glacial drift deposits of Boulder Clay and Sand and Gravel. Within the river valleys, reworked Glacial Sand and G ravel forms River Terrace deposits. In the west of the County are found Wind Blown deposits of Sand.

3.4.2 The principal mineral resource within Suffolk is sand and g ravel. Sand and gravel deposits are distributed fairly evenly across the county, although there are particular concentrations in the river valleys, especially the Gipping, Lark, Waveney and Blyth valleys.

3.4.3 Chalk extraction takes place at two quarries and s upplies principally the agricultural market with some specific industrial uses.

3.4.4 The chalk landbank is estimated to be more than 40 years supply and given the low demand for the mineral the County has not continued to measure this specific landbank.

3.4.5 Summary of quarrying facilities in Suffolk

Table M1: Active and inactive mineral workings as at 31 December 2013.

Mineral Active Inactive Total Sand and gravel 14 5 19 Chalk 2 0 2 Clay 0 0 0 Peaty/soil 0 0 0 Total 16 5 21

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4. Future provision of sand and gravel in the County

4.1 East of England Aggregate Working Party advice on de mand of sand and gravel

4.1.1 The revised national guidelines suggest an apportionment figure for Suffolk of 1.62 million tonnes (mt) per annum.

4.2 Maintaining a seven-year landbank in accordance with the NPPF

4.2.1 The Minerals Core Strategy and Minerals Specific Sites Allocations DPD seek to maintain a landbank with planning permission for mineral working of at least 7 years (NPPF para 145) based on the agreed apportionment.

4.2.2 The landbank for 2013 indicates that Suffolk has 13.7 mts of permitted reserves, giving it a landbank of 8.5 years. Minerals statistics relating to sales for January to December 2013 inclusive indicated sand and gravel sales of around 1.06 mts which is significantly below the apportionment figure.

4.2.3 Sales (Aggregate Monitoring Survey 2013) of sand and gravel for Suffolk in 2013 were recorded as 1.06mt which represents a 2.5% decrease from the previous year. Reserves of sand and gravel in the area have seen a 4.6% increase on the previous year’s figures and now stand at 13.7mt. This results in a landbank for sand and gravel of 8.5 years.

The County Council continues to maintain a landbank for sand and gravel of at least 7 years as required by the National Planning Policy Framework.

4.2.4 Table M2: Sites/areas identified in the Minerals Specific Sites Allocations DPD but not approved up to the end of the monitoring period.

DPD Site Site Name Estimated Tonnage ref: 4 Layham 0.8 mt 5A, 5B Barham 0.6 mt 6 Chilton Estate Sudbury 1.0 mt 12, 12A Timworth 2.5 mt 16 Homersfield/Flixton 0.85 mt 19, 20 Worlington Quarry 0.27mt 23 Cavenham Quarry (western extension) 0.88 mt Total All Sites 6.90 mt

7 4.2.5 The table above shows the sites allocated in the Minerals Specific Sites Allocations DPD but not yet approved. Total Reserves figure for sites identified in the MSSA DPD but not approved up to the end of the monitoring period is 6.90 mt.

4.2.6 Between 1 April 2012 and 31 March 2013 eighteen mineral related applications were determined and six Screening/Scoping Opinions issued. Of the applications two were for new sand and g ravel working, one R eview of Old Mineral Working (ROMP), one Certificate of Lawful Existing Use or Development (CLEUD) and seven applications for Variation of Conditions (VOC).

Observation: One site allocation (Flixton Quarry site ref 17) was subject to planning application during the plan period and was granted approval. A borrow pit at Elveden for provision of material to the A11 widening was also approved. Due to the downturn in the economy and the relatively long period of subdued demand for aggregates perhaps it is not surprising that not many new sites are coming forward at present.

4.3 Need for a review

4.3.1 On the 27 March 2012, the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) was published. An analysis has since concluded that both the Minerals Core Strategy and Minerals Specific Site Allocations DPD are compliant with the NPPF. However, in light of: the need to maintain a seven-year landbank, the publication of the NPPF, the revocation of the East of England Plan and the cancellation of the previous suite of Planning/Mineral Policy Statements the need to review the Minerals Core Strategy will be c onsidered during the next monitoring period.

4.3.2 The minerals resources contained within the Minerals Specific Site Allocations DPD that are yet to receive planning permission, when considered together with permitted reserves, the sub-regional apportionment and recent production levels, are considered unlikely to trigger a review of the Minerals Specific Site Allocations DPD during the period of this monitoring report.

4.4 Duty to co-operate

4.4.1 The Localism Act 2011 introduced the “Duty to Co-operate”. T his is a fundamental part of plan making and requires the continued co-operation with organisations including other Minerals Planning Authorities, the Marine Management Organisation, the Local Enterprise Partnership and Local Nature Partnership and representatives of the Minerals Industry to facilitate the Minerals Aggregates Supply System. T his work is on-going, primarily through the Aggregates Working Party.

8 5. Facilitating the sustainable use of minerals - facts and achievements

5.1 The Vision set out in the Minerals Core Strategy

5.1.1 By 2021, Suffolk will have continued to meet its obligation for the supply of aggregates in a sustainable and environmentally acceptable manner. In particular, the growth of the Haven gateway sub-region will be supported by ensuring that appropriately located sand and gravel quarries are identified in the plan within a broad belt that follows the A14 from the East of Ipswich to the Western extremity of the county. Based on historic aggregate supply figures, it is expected that approximately 70% of the County’s production of sand and gravel will be supplied from within this area. Minerals sites will, when restored, contribute positively towards the enhancement of Suffolk’s Biodiversity Action Plan species and habitats, and landscape character.

5.1.2 The implementation of this Vision is via policies included in the Minerals and Waste DPDs.

5.2 Performance of Policies (1 April 2012 to 31 March 2013)

5.2.1 The following Policies were triggered by applications determined during the period.

Table M3: Policies within the Minerals Core Strategy and Waste Core Strategy DPDs triggered by mineral applications (1 April 2012 to 31 March 2013)

Policy 1 Apportionment of sand and gravel 2 Policy 2 Location of sites with Suffolk 2 Policy 3 Cumulative environmental impacts and phasing of mineral 1 workings Policy 4 Recycled aggregates 2 Policy 5 Safeguarding mineral resources 1 Policy 7 Borrow Pits 1 Policy 8 Transport 2 Policy Protection of landform and landscape features 7 DC01 Policy Protection of Regionally and Locally Recognised Sites of 7 DC02 Ecological and Geological Interest and Promotion of Biodiversity and Protection of Priority Habitats Policy Archaeology 3 DC03 Policy Public Rights of Way 5 DC05 Policy Mud and debris on public highways 6 DC06 Policy Reclamation, restoration and after-use 5

9 DC07 Policy Progressive Working & Restoration 6 DC08 WDM2 General Considerations relevant to all Waste Management 5 Facilities WDM3 Approval of sites for disposal of inert waste by landfilling or 2 landraise WDM5 General Waste Management Facilities 2 WDM12 Proposals for recycling or transfer of inert and construction, 1 demolition and excavation waste WDM19 Design of waste management facilities 2

5.3 Applications coming forward for consideration and decisions taken

5.3.1 During 2012, two applications for minerals extraction were considered although a significant number of applications were submitted to vary the conditions of existing permissions and for ancillary development.

Table M4: Applications for extraction of new sand and gravel reserves received to 31 March 2013

Site Volume approved Volume refused Contrary (tonnes) (tonnes) to plan North Farm, Barnham, Elveden 400,000t Nil No (Borrowpit) Flixton Quarry 671,000t Nil No (Allocation site) Total: 1,071,000

Table M5: Other mineral related applications determined up to 31 March 2013.

Appl Planning Description Proposal Type Reference Sand and gravel Variation of Condition to extend time period for VOC W/11/1254 achieving extraction by 31st October 2013 and Henham restoration by 31st October 2015. Quarry Request for non-compliance with condition 22 Sand and (restoration) of planning permission C97/0568 gravel VOC C12/1471 (as previously revised by C00/0608 to amend Broom Hill final restoration contours at Fox's Carr Quarry, Quarry Nacton. Needham Variation of Condition to enable removal of part Chalk VOC MS/0145/13 of chalk face behind the laboratory building Quarry within Phase 5 of the quarry. Needham

10 Market

To vary conditions relating to various planning Sand and permission, namely: Condition 3 (Duration of gravel permission) of MS/0446/05 (Extraction of sand MINS VOC MS/3611/11 and gravel by way of extension to existing Shrubland quarry) to allow mineral extraction to continue Quarry until 31 October 2014 and restoration by 31 October 2018. Sand and To vary conditions relating to various planning gravel permission, namely: Condition 2 (Duration of MINS VOC MS/3609/11 permission) of MS/693/96 (Erection and Shrubland operation of concrete batching plant) to allow Quarry use until 31 October 2018. To vary conditions relating to various planning Sand and permission, namely: Condition 3 (Period of gravel Permission) of Planning Permission MS/591/95 MINS VOC MS/3137/11 (Extraction of sand and gravel followed by Shrubland restoration using inert material) to allow Quarry excavations until 31 October 2014 and restoration by 31 October 2018. To vary conditions relating to various planning permission, namely: Condition 3 (Duration of permission) of MS/1153/00 & Sand and MS/622/01(combined) (Use of land for gravel recovery and storage of soils and aggregate MINS VOC MS/3610/11 and for sorting and treatment of inert and, Shrubland commercial and industrial wastes) to enable Quarry activities to continue until 31 October 2016 and the site restored by 31 October 2018.

Barton Mills Use of storage building for the relocation of Chalk F/2012/0368/ chalk processing plant including revised MINS FULL Quarry, CCA internal layout and modification to the building Barton Mills to accommodate chimney.

Masons Proposed development for the extraction and Landfill, Stockpiling of sand and overburden material MINS FULL MS/3484/11 Great required in connection with and engineering Blakenham and restoration works at Masons Landfill Site.

Use of part of workshop building for the Waldringfiel bagging of aggregates and use of adjoining d Quarry, MINS FULL C12/0462 land for the storage of processed aggregates Waldringfiel and the bagging and storage of bagged d aggregates.

Submission of details to very Condition 2 of Art30- Thoringto Article C05/1583AR Planning Permission C05/1583 -Revised Mins n Quarry 30 T30c2 Restoration details.

11 Cavenham Art30- Article F/2011/0243A Submission of Condition 4.(Scheme of Quarry Mins 30 RT30c4 archaeology) Cavenham Lawn Farm ART 30 - Submission of details of Condition 8 Art30- Quarry Article MS/0414/09A (Advance Warning Signs) and 9 (Vehicle Mins 30 RTc8&9 Routing Sign) of Planning Permission Wetherde MS/0414/09. n A Lawful Development Certificate for an Barton existing use or operation at the above Chalk Quarry being Use of land serving as the Mills Chalk operational area for the chalk quarry involving CLU Quarry, CLEUD F/2012/0277 the Stockpiling of Chalk, Weighting of Chalk, Barton Loading of Vehicles and Administration and Mills Sale of Chalk with associated Parking of Vehicles. Hadleigh Quarry, B/12/01244/C ROMP Peyton ROMP Review of Mineral Permission. MA Hall, Hadleigh

5.3.2 No agreements, made pursuant to Section 106 o f the Town and C ountry Planning Act 1990, were sealed during this monitoring period.

6. Monitoring

6.1 Monitoring of sites

6.1.1 Once planning permission has been granted sites are monitored to ensure compliance with planning conditions as well as there being no unauthorised activity. There has been no requirement to pursue formal enforcement proceedings during the monitoring period.

6.1.2 The Monitoring statistics show that during the financial year 2012/2013, 56 visits were conducted to active sand and gravel workings sites comprising 45 chargeable visits, and 16 non-chargeable visits. 9 v isits were conducted to inactive sites comprising 5 c hargeable visits, and 4 non-chargeable visits. 39 visits were conducted to the secondary aggregates sites and another 31 visits were made to other sites with a connection to minerals.

6.1.3 The Monitoring and Enforcement Plan can be found at: http://www.suffolk.gov.uk/assets/suffolk.gov.uk/Environment%20and%20Transp ort/Planning%20and%20Building/Development%20Management%20Enforceme nt%20Plan.pdf

6.1.4 The Monitoring and Enforcement Plan deals with breaches (and alleged breaches) of planning control, e.g. where development is taking place without the benefit of planning permission or where it is being carried out contrary to a condition of planning permission.

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7. Conclusions

7.1 The MR indicates that a l andbank of at least a 7 years based on the agreed apportionment of 1.62mts has been maintained. The landbank for 2013 indicates that Suffolk has 13.7 mts of permitted reserves, giving it a landbank of 8.5 years.

7.2 The findings of this report suggest that policies are being triggered and were effective. Environmental benefits have therefore been achieved in line with the Vision of the Minerals Core Strategy and none of the applications were approved contrary to policy.

7.3 SCC continues to monitor minerals sites on a r egular basis but no formal enforcement activity was required.

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Appendix A

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