(If Applicable) Chapterpol Ic Ypar
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NUMBER RESPONDENT REP ID CHAPTER POLICY PARA. (YES/NO) CHALLENGED SOUNDESS TESTS OF CONTACT REPRESENTATION SUMMARY OF MAIN ISSUES PROPOSED LPA RESPONSE PROPOSED MODIFICATION TO THE MINERALS PLAN NAME ORGANISATION (IF RAISED APPLICABLE) 1 R1/1 Mervyn 8 N Copy of letter sent to Planning Control Noted None Sweet about peat working 6.2 R6.2/1 Richard Somer Valley Friends of 1 1.12 N Case not made that minerals industry It is considered that this paragraph still stands within the context quoted, and None Dixon the Earth is of considerable economic recognising that due to commercial sensitivities, it is not possible to detail exact importance in Somerset numbers. Additionally, the population figure quoted of 530, 200 is not a reflection of the number of working individuals in the county as it also includes 0-18 and over 65 age ranges. It is correct that £160m is not comparable to the sectors listed in para 1.9, but the scale of these industries are very different, as are their potential markets. 6.2 R6.2/10 Richard Somer Valley Friends of 6 6.42 N Suggests wording on the density of Somerset is one of the most rural counties in England, with average population Paragraph 1.5 Dixon the Earth population in the East Mendips density of 1.5 people per hectare less than half the England average. This West Somerset ia the most sparsely populated of the districts, with a figure takes in all of Mendip as a whole, including the main towns in the area. population density of less than 0.5 people per hectare. It is projected Text amend to place population density figures in context may help to clarify that by the year 2030, Somerset's population will increase by 16% to this area - Paragraph 1.5 608,500 Mendip, the district of Somerset where most mineral extraction is location covers approximately 74,000 hectares and has a population of 73,944. Mendip has a population density of 1.5 people per hectare, reflecting the rural nature of this district Paragraph 19.4 Mineral development can have significant impacts on local amenity, in particular where mineral resource is in close proximity to settlements and must therefore be carefully managed. Proposals should first seek to avoid adverse environmental impacts and then, if this is not possible, should identify options for mitigation of the impacts. 6.2 R6.2/11 Richard Somer Valley Friends of 7 7.1 N Suggests deletion of wording In context, building stones are a key part of the minerals sector - these small Building stones are an important resource and a key part of the Dixon the Earth regarding minerals sector - scale quarries provide a local specific source of stone for building repair. If economic minerals sector in Somerset… unsubstantiated statement. these sites don't operate, stone will have to be transported into the county, and it wouldn't match in a geological sense, and may have additional adverse impacts from additional transport etc. However, it is acknowledged that the wording here could be improved. 6.2 R6.2/12 Richard Somer Valley Friends of 7 SMP5 7.21 N Suggests additional text to support the Each planning proposal must be judged on its own merits, and as such None Dixon the Earth working of unworked permissions inserting this proposed wording is not viable; as it may prejudice other mineral above new sites proposals in the area from different parties 6.2 R6.2/13 Richard Somer Valley Friends of 7 7.35 N Suggests delete sentence "it favours Disagree. Shows sources of building stone can be reclaimed or new, None Dixon the Earth the establishment of new quarries depending on circumstances above reclamation if there is a demonstrable need for the mineral" 6.2 R6.2/14 Richard Somer Valley Friends of 7 7.38 N Not in favour of using stone for Disagree. A balance needs to be struck and the proposed wording reflects that None Dixon the Earth agricultural tracks positive use can be made of this material providing sufficient quantities are retained on site for restoration. Also note the Plan must be read as a whole, so (for example) the impacts of transporting material off site would also need to be taken into account 6.2 R6.2/15 Richard Somer Valley Friends of 9 SMP7 9.6 N Objects to fracking and states that Noted None Dixon the Earth unconventional oil and gas development should not be permitted during the plan period 6.2 R6.2/16 Richard Somer Valley Friends of 10 10.4 N Suggests rewording about afteruses Noted. Noise is dealt with in the Development Management section, under None. Dixon the Earth from "other industries uses" to "other Protecting Local Amenity. quiet afteruses" Page 1 of 70 6.2 R6.2/17 Richard Somer Valley Friends of 10 10.8 N Seeking statement on financial This is addressed in Chapter 18, Restoration and Aftercare, particularly None. Dixon the Earth guarantees to cover restoration at Torr paragraphs 18.11 and 18.12 - this deals with the financial implications of the and Whatley Quarries reclamation scheme; and also makes it clear that financial bonds or other provisions may be required in certain circumstances. 6.2 R6.2/18 Richard Somer Valley Friends of 18 18.17, N Suggests add tick for aggregates to Relates to restoration policy Revised wording: "Where relevant, proposals for all minerals sites Dixon the Earth Table 7 Row 9 must:" Check-boxes deleted. 6.2 R6.2/2 Richard Somer Valley Friends of 3 3.7 N Challenges assertion that building Building stones are a key part of the minerals sector - these small scale Building stone is an important resource and a key part of the Dixon the Earth stone is a key part of the economic quarries provide a local specific source of stone for building repair. If these economic minerals sector in Somerset… minerals sector in Somerset sites don't operate, stone will have to be transported into the county, and it wouldn't match in a geological sense, and may have additional adverse impacts from additional transport etc. However, it is acknowledged that the wording here could be improved. 6.2 R6.2/3 Richard Somer Valley Friends of 3 3.10 N Suggests rewording to recognise the This wording does not preclude the re-opening of an existing quarry, but will be Para 3.10 Dixon the Earth role of existing unworked quarries clarified to make this clearer. clarify what information is required if potential applicants wish to propose a new building stone quarry, including re-opening of existing inactive or dormant building stone sites 6.2 R6.2/4 Richard Somer Valley Friends of 11 SMP9 Y Safeguarding maps/plans not high Appreciate that maps that encompass entire county are difficult to display in a p136 Dixon the Earth enough quality maximum A3 format. Amend text to signpost larger (A1) version available on website or on request. Larger format maps are available from www.somerset.gov.uk/mineralsandwaste or available on request from the Planning Policy team. 6.2 R6.2/5 Richard Somer Valley Friends of 4 4.2 N Suggests rewording to acknowledge The SMP needs to read as whole, and as part of the development plan. This None Dixon the Earth the role of central government in development plan document is the Somerset interpretation of national supply of aggregates legislation, and needs to project Somerset context. This current Government very strongely advocates localism, and as such a mention of central government is contrary to this. 6.2 R6.2/6 Richard Somer Valley Friends of 6 6.3 N Challenges the objectivity that Disgaree. Reference can be added to verify this statement The Carboniferous Limestone deposit in the Mendips Hills is a Dixon the Earth Carboniferous Limestone deposit in nationally and locally important aggregate resource (see map 3).16 the Mendip Hills is a nationally and locally important aggregate resource Insert NEW footnote: 16 British Geological Survey mineral resource information in support of national regional and local planning: Somerset, 2005 6.2 R6.2/7 Richard Somer Valley Friends of 6 6.15 N Suggests wording on the impact of the It is considered that this paragraph still stands within the context quoted, and None Dixon the Earth aggregate levy recognising that due to commercial sensitivities, and an ever changing assessment of the secondary aggregate market (in turn influenced by a great many external factors), it is difficult to obtain a full picture. It is likely that over the Plan Period, this figure will vary widely, and as such is included in annual monitoring. The SMP does not influence the pricing of aggregates, or the amount and type of aggregate levy, and it is inappropriate for the Plan to comment on this. 6.2 R6.2/8 Richard Somer Valley Friends of 6 6.33 N States that distance to market is Minerals can only be worked where they occur, so there will nearly always be a None Dixon the Earth irrelevant in the context of a free transport element involved in mineral extraction. It is appropriate to make market reference to this, and also to evolution of working practices - given the length of the Plan period. 6.2 R6.2/9 Richard Somer Valley Friends of 6 SMP2 6.39 N Suggests Somerset adopt 10 year Maintaining a 15 year landbank is felt appropriate taking on board the None Dixon the Earth supply provision rather than 15 years significance of Somerset as a supplier of crushed rock.