Wiltshire & Swindon Aggregate Minerals Site Allocations DPD - Evidence Report

The results of a constraints sieving exercise applied to remaining sand and gravel resources in Wiltshire and Swindon

March 2010

Wiltshire & Swindon Aggregate Minerals Site Allocations DPD Evidence Report

The results of a constraints sieving exercise applied to remaining sand and gravel resources in Wiltshire and Swindon

March 2010

Alistair Cunningham Celia Carrington Director of Economy and Enterprise Director of Environment and Regeneration Wiltshire Council Swindon Borough Council County Hall Premier House Trowbridge Station Road Wiltshire Swindon BA14 8JD SN1 1TZ

© Wiltshire Council

Contents

Page

Executive Summary iii

1. Introduction/Aims and Objectives 1

2. Sieving Methodology 4

3. Results of the sieving process

The Upper Thames Valley Mineral Resource Zone 9

The Calne Area Mineral Resource Zone 13

South East of Salisbury Mineral Resource Zone 17

Salisbury Avon Mineral Resource Zone 21

Bristol Avon Mineral Resource Zone 25

4. Results overview 29

5. Next steps and further assessment 31

Appendices

Appendix 1 – Assumed Key Market Areas: Upper Thames Valley, Calne Area and 36 South East of Salisbury MRZs

Appendix 2 – Assumed Key Market Areas: Bristol Avon and Salisbury Avon MRZs 38

Appendix 3 – Upper Thames Valley MRZ Sieving Exercise Maps 40

Appendix 4 – Calne Area MRZ Sieving Exercise Maps 50

Appendix 5 – South East of Salisbury MRZ Sieving Exercise Maps 60

Appendix 6 – Salisbury Avon MRZ Sieving Exercise Maps 70

Appendix 7 – Bristol Avon MRZ Sieving Exercise Maps 80

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ii Executive Summary

Wiltshire Council and Swindon Borough Council (the Councils) have made significant progress in reviewing the former Minerals Local Plan 2001. The Minerals Core Strategy 2006 – 2026 was adopted in June 2009 and the Minerals Development Control Policies document was adopted on in September 2009. These ‘Development Plan Documents’ identify the broad locations for future minerals development in Wiltshire and Swindon and describe the criteria for determining associated planning applications.

The Councils currently have an expectation to meet a forecast sand and gravel production rate of 1.85 million tonnes (mt) per annum over the period up to 2016. To achieve this, the Councils need to identify sufficient land in aggregate mineral bearing resource areas to meet forecast expectations.

The Councils undertook the process of identifying areas of mineral resource between 2004 and 2006, resulting in a number of sites being put forward. However the combined estimated yield for these sites was insufficient to meet the full provision requirement to 2026.

In response to this, the Councils commissioned the British Geological Survey (BGS) to undertake an assessment of the remaining sand and gravel resources within the Plan area. From this information, the Councils conducted a sieving exercise (applying a number of constraints through 6 sieving stages) to determine additional areas of resource that could be worked over the period to 2026, along with those sites identified through previous exercises conducted between 2004 and 2006.

Results from the sieving exercise when combined with estimated tonnage figures from sites identified between 2004 and 2006 indicate that (using the most optimistic scenario) there are the following remaining workable reserves within the Plan area:

Mineral Resource Zone Combined (estimate) total (mt) Upper Thames Valley 22.9 Calne Area 25.4 South East of Salisbury 3.1 Salisbury Avon 2.2 Bristol Avon 6.8

Although results from this sieving exercise indicate that there is theoretically enough remaining resource in the Plan area to maintain a production rate of 1.85mt, this should only be considered as the most optimistic scenario. Planning considerations, industry appetite to develop in new resource areas, the flexibility of market forces, historical trend data, and the viability of alternative mineral reserves will ultimately determine the Councils’ ability to meet forecast provision rates.

The Councils will now undertake initial site appraisals on those sites identified through the sieving exercise before meeting with key stakeholders to discuss potential issues arising through the appraisal process. During April and May 2010, stakeholder consultation will be undertaken on an initial list of sites to help determine those to take forward into the detailed assessment stage.

Following this consultation exercise, potential sites will then be considered by the Councils in the detailed assessment stage of the Site Allocations DPD work, where they will undergo rigorous appraisal by environmental consultants and Council officers to determine their long-term suitability.

The Councils will then prepare the Aggregate Minerals Site Allocations DPD publication document underpinned with the findings of all assessment work. This draft document will be published for a minimum 6 week period of consultation before final submission of the Aggregate Minerals Site Allocations DPD to the Secretary of State for Independent Examination, timetabled for early 2011.

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iv 1. Introduction

1.1 Wiltshire and Swindon (the Councils) currently have an expectation1 to meet a forecast sand and gravel production rate of 1.85 million tonnes2 per annum over the period up to 2016. In order to achieve this, the Councils need to identify sufficient land in aggregate mineral bearing resource areas to meet forecast expectations.

1.2 South West Councils (the Regional Planning Body) are currently undertaking a review of the sub-regional apportionment in order to meet the latest revised national and regional guideline figures3 with a view to determining a realistic and sustainable provision of minerals into the long-term (until 2020). However, until new (sub-regionally apportioned) guideline figures are published, the Councils will use current forecast provision rates as a basis for planning the release of new sites and landbank maintenance up to 2026.

1.3 The Adopted Wiltshire and Swindon Minerals Core Strategy indicates that the provision requirement for sand and gravel in Wiltshire and Swindon equates to approximately 32 million tonnes (taking into account remaining undeveloped Preferred Areas and permitted reserves) for the period 2006 – 2026.

1.4 The Councils began the process of identifying sites to meet the provision requirement through circulating two ‘call for sites’ letters to mineral operators and landowners between 2004 and 2006. This resulted in a number of sites being put forward (as ‘developer proposed’) for future consideration. However, the combined estimated yield for these sites totalled approximately 11.4 million tonnes and was insufficient to meet the full provision requirement to 2026.

1.5 This insufficient yield raised obvious concerns about the capacity for Wiltshire and Swindon to meet forecast demand and in response to this, the Councils commissioned the British Geological Survey (BGS)4 to carry out a provisional assessment of the remaining sand and gravel resources within the Plan area. The results of the BGS assessment showed that, in principle, remaining resources could meet the provision requirement up to 2026 and beyond. However, the BGS assessment only considered and applied international and national environmental constraints (designations), and did not consider other planning limitations, such as local environmental constraints, residential amenity or landowner consent which will invariably result in additional areas of resource being excluded from consideration.

1.6 The BGS Report did not consider the Bristol Avon, or parts of the Salisbury Avon to the north of Salisbury, as having any resource potential. In their opinion this is due to the general poor quality of deposits in the area, although it is acknowledged that within the Bristol Avon there may be pockets of viable mineral resources scattered within these areas. The Councils have previously permitted sites for minerals extraction, and considered a range of potential sites, in the Bristol Avon Valley through the preparation of the former adopted Minerals Local Plan (2001). As a result, the Bristol Avon Valley was not discounted from consideration at this stage5.

1 Based on sub-regional apportionments produced by the Regional Planning Body (2005 / 2006). 2 The annualised forecast production rate, set through the last sub-regional apportionment process (2005 / 2006). 3 Based on figures published in the ‘National and regional guidelines for aggregates provision in England 2005-2020.’ (CLG, 2009). 4 The British Geological Survey (BGS) ‘A Provisional Assessment of the Sand and Gravel Resources of Wiltshire and Swindon.’ (2007). 5 Wiltshire and Swindon Minerals and Waste Development Framework – Evidence Base. Part C: Minerals (March 2008).

1 1.7 However, due to the high level of constraints in the area and from a general lack of interest to work the resource from the minerals industry, the resource areas to the north of Salisbury, forming part of the Salisbury Avon resource zone, were discounted from further consideration.

1.8 Through this evidence, the Minerals Core Strategy identified that sand and gravel provision should be delivered through land located within the following Mineral Resource Zones (MRZs) the extent of which are illustrated in figure 16:

• The Upper Thames Valley; • The Calne Area; • Land to the south east of Salisbury; • The Salisbury Avon (south of Salisbury); and • The Bristol Avon.

Figure 1: Sand and Gravel Resources in Wiltshire Assessed by the BGS

6 Please note, the extent of previous district boundaries still remain current following Local Government re-organisation and the move to one Council in 2009. Boundaries shown on all maps in this report refer to the new development management areas of North, South, East and West Wiltshire.

2 Aims and Objectives of the sieving exercise

1.9 The main focus of the sieving exercise concerned the undertaking of a desktop study using Geographical Information Systems (GIS), the purpose of which was to assess and eliminate areas of potential resource within the MRZs that cannot be, or are unlikely to be, worked.

1.10 Given this, the main aim of the sieving process was to produce an initial list of potential areas that contained sand and gravel resource, which could be worked over the period to 2026 and carried forward into the next stage of preparing the Aggregate Minerals Site Allocations DPD, subject to further detailed assessment.

1.11 The main objectives of the study were to:

• Assess and rationalise the initial BGS data on all available sand and gravel bearing land in the Plan area; • Remove, through desktop studies, those areas of resource constrained by the exclusionary and discretionary criteria as set out in the Wiltshire and Swindon Aggregate Minerals Site Selection and Site Appraisal Methodology (2009); • Undertake initial visits to areas of resource to assess their potential suitability and to proof elements of the methodology; • Conduct a survey of landowners (of those areas considered potentially suitable) to determine the level of interest in putting forward land for sand and gravel extraction; and • Formulate a list of potential sites within the Plan area that could be taken forward for further consideration and detailed assessment.

3 2. Sieving Methodology

Resource sieving methodology overview

Minerals Resource Zones (MRZs)

2.1 The initial stage of the resource sieving exercise began with the assessment of baseline information detailing the underlying geology of Wiltshire, which was provided through the BGS. It was necessary to begin at this broad level of search in order to consider all conceivable options and locations for mineral bearing land; as well as provide information on alternative areas of mineral bearing land should there be a lack of readily available mineral resource within the Council’s identified MRZs.

2.2 Potential areas of additional resource outside of the Council’s identified MRZs were also assessed through this initial stage of the resource sieving exercise in areas where it was possible that the resource could be sterilised by planned non-mineral development. One of these areas concerned sand and gravel resources located to the east of Swindon. However, through dialogue with BGS and discussion with landowners and their representatives during sieve 5, it became apparent that the resource in this area was of poor quality. Given this, this area of resource was retrospectively removed from further consideration at sieve 1.

2.3 Through information provided by the BGS7 concerning the quality of sand and gravel deposits in various locations of Wiltshire, effort was primarily concentrated on land falling within the Council’s MRZs.

2.4 Full illustrative results of the sieving exercises for each MRZ are provided in the appendices at the back of this document.

Sieve 1

2.5 The first sieve of the desktop sieving exercise involved the assessment of overlying Ordnance Survey (OS) base maps to determine, and remove, any areas of the MRZs that lay beneath urban areas, rivers and roads8.

2.6 Resource areas that would not normally be considered as economically viable by the minerals industry due to the size, shape and/or complexity of the area were removed if they could not be merged with neighbouring areas of potentially unconstrained resource. The remaining areas of resource were then carried forward into the following sieve. This process was reapplied at the end of each subsequent sieving exercise (2-6) and resource removed/carried forward where appropriate.

Sieve 2

7 The British Geological Survey (BGS) ‘A Provisional Assessment of the Sand and Gravel Resources of Wiltshire and Swindon.’ (2007) 8 These areas were not considered from the very beginning of the sieving process and therefore do not appear on illustrative material after that of the initial BGS resource mapping.

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2.7 The second stage in the sieving process considered those areas of the MRZs that were protected by International/National designations or fall within the following exclusionary constraints (selected from the Site Appraisal Matrix and applied at desktop level)9:

• World Heritage Sites (WHS); • Special Protection Areas (SPA’s); • Special Areas of Conservation (SAC’s); • Ramsar Sites; • Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI’s); • Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB’s); • National Nature Reserves; • Historical Parks and Gardens; • Where Grade I and II listed buildings were present; • Areas of ancient woodland or where aged/veteran trees were present; • Scheduled Ancient Monuments (SAM); • Registered Battlefields; and • The New Forest National Park.

2.8 Furthermore areas of MRZs that fell within, or in close proximity10 to, the following exclusionary constraints not protected under International/National designations, but nonetheless classed as sensitive land uses, were removed during this sieving stage.

These constraints included:

• Proximity to residential areas; • Proximity to schools and associated land/playing fields; • Proximity to hospitals; • Proximity to existing urban businesses; • Proximity to concentrations of urban development; and • Proximity to active airfields.

Sieve 3

2.9 Sieve 3 removed areas of resource that were inaccessible by road. If roads, lanes or track ways were not already in place, areas were assessed for their potential to support the creation of new haul roads (at an assumed maximum length of 1km) that could be linked to main transport routes and the Wiltshire HGV Route Network11. During this stage of the sieving process, desktop surveys and site visits (to address targeted issues arising from the desktop surveys undertaken) were conducted to determine whether an area should be excluded or taken forward based on these considerations.

9 Exclusionary and Discretionary constraints employed were developed through the Wiltshire and Swindon Aggregate Minerals Site Selection and Site Appraisal Methodology (2009). 10 The word ‘proximity’ is used when assessing potential sites because it allows a greater degree of flexibility than the word ‘distance’ which assumes that there is space between objects. The term proximity in this sieving exercise includes geographical spatial area and connectivity. During this sieving exercise, officer discretion was used to determine proximity. 11 Policy MCS9 of the Adopted Wiltshire and Swindon Minerals Core Strategy DPD and policy MDC8 of the Adopted Wiltshire and Swindon Minerals Development Control Policies DPD make specific reference of the need to utilise the Wiltshire HGV Route Network and Primary Route Network where possible.

5 Sieve 4

2.10 The fourth stage of the sieving process involved applying selected discretionary constraints (those selected from the Site Appraisal Matrix that could be applied at desktop level)12 to any areas or parcels of remaining MRZs that fell within the following areas of classification:

• Regionally Important Geological and geomorphological Sites (RIGS); • County Wildlife Sites (CWS); • Local Nature Reserves (both statutory and non-statutory13); • Green Belt areas; and • Any other DPD/Local Plan Allocations.

2.11 Furthermore, officer judgement was applied to parcels of remaining MRZs that were located in proximity to the exclusionary constraints listed above, to make an initial assessment as to the likelihood of significant adverse impacts from nearby mineral activity14.

2.12 Having assessed areas of MRZ against discretionary and exclusionary constraints at the desktop level, those areas of MRZs that still remained were then assessed through additional area visits. Through these visits, officers assessed these areas against a set of further discretionary constraints. These areas of land were removed from further consideration if they fell within the following discretionary constraints:

• Land that had existing tourist and/or leisure facilities; • Areas of land that were currently in use including the discretionary constraints of public open space, existing rural businesses, active airfields and managed woodland; • Playing fields; • Areas of land that could impact on residential amenity; and • Areas of land that were currently in use but were not picked up through earlier sieving exercises including the exclusionary constraints of residential areas, schools and associated land/playing fields, hospitals, existing urban businesses, concentrations of urban development, active golf courses, active airfields and allotments.

2.13 When visiting potential areas, it was also possible to determine any issues that may not have been clear through initial desktop sieving and assessment. These included any potential issues with accessibility, potential impacts on road route networks, the topography of land and any other concerns that could have a detrimental impact on surrounding areas.

Sieve 5

2.14 Those areas of MRZs that were not excluded in the previous 4 sieves were then carried forward into sieve 5 where a survey of landowners within these areas was undertaken. The work undertaken through this sieve took the form of 6 individual stages and these are detailed below.

2.15 Stage 1 – Those remaining areas of MRZs were split into separate parcels of land following field boundaries. This was undertaken as an essential exercise in order to supply the Land Registry Office with the exact fields for which landowner information was required.

12 Exclusionary and Discretionary constraints employed were developed through the Wiltshire and Swindon Aggregate Minerals Site Selection and Site Appraisal Methodology (2009). 13 This information is not readily updatable and therefore some discrepancies may exist on the recorded desktop information held by the Councils. 14 At this stage, officers were also contacted by a landowner representative with instruction to remove an area of resource from further consideration.

6 2.16 Stage 2 – This information was forwarded to the Land Registry Office to obtain landowner information for the relevant areas15. Once these records were obtained, all landowner details were placed into a database and were separated into specific groups depending on location and corresponding to the 5 main MRZs. Those parcels of land that were classed as unregistered were highlighted and removed from further consideration. Letters were sent to individual landowners to establish whether they were considering their land for sand and gravel extraction.

2.17 Stage 3 – Landowner letters and accompanying maps of the remaining MRZ, were sent out to landowners over the period of August to December 2009. Due to unavoidable delays in obtaining landowner details from the Land Registry Office, the sending of landowner letters was staggered by MRZ. An initial deadline of 4 weeks was given for landowners to respond to the letters with either a firm yes or no response requested. Due to initial poor response rates, follow-up letters were sent to those landowners who had not replied to the original letter. Landowners were given a further 10 days to respond to the follow-up letter.

2.18 Stage 4 – Landowner responses were collated and mapped using GIS. Each response type (yes, no, maybe, unregistered/landowner unknown, no response) were assigned numbers and given an associated colour. This allowed for each type of response to be clearly mapped through illustrative techniques, giving an indicative picture of landowner consent (within each MRZ) as to whether to consider land for inclusion in further drafts of the Aggregate Minerals Site Allocations assessment work.

2.19 In some cases, the indicative tonnage and hectare figures increased or decreased between sieves as a result of landowners putting additional land forward. This additional land information was included in the landowner survey results as it was felt that landowners were likely to have a higher level of local knowledge and could provide a more comprehensive picture as to where sand and gravel bearing land was located.

2.20 Where new areas of land were put forward by the landowner, these areas were re-mapped over initial BGS information held on the extent of mineral bearing land. Estimations of potential tonnage for these additional parcels of land were then calculated. As a result of this, there are instances of discrepancy where remaining tonnage figures do not adhere to the calculation method between sieve 5 and 6. An asterisk is used to indicate where these instances occur within the sieving results tables.

2.21 Stage 5 – Those parcels of land that were registered to Wiltshire Council were also assigned a specific code, and were mapped using GIS. Maps of these specific parcels of land were created and forwarded to the Councils’ Rural Estate Management team. Following discussion with the Rural Estate Management team, land registered to Wiltshire Council was included for further consideration and future assessment at this stage.

2.22 Stage 6 – Following the collation of landowner responses, confirmation letters were sent out to those landowners who had provided an answer to the landowner survey. In recognition of the need to ensure deliverability16, only land where the landowner had specifically requested that their land be included for further consideration, was taken forward.

15 Where parcels of resource had been expanded to field boundaries – total hectare and estimated tonnage values increased and/or decreased depending on the changing mass of the parcel of land. This is reflected in some instances where the total hectare value or mineral resource of an area has increased between sieve 4 and 5 and reflected in total values carried forward into sieve 6. 16 PPS12 paragraph 4.28 highlights the need for engagement with key stakeholders early in the production of Core Strategies and to engage with major landowners and developers in the generation and consideration of options. Potential sites arising from the detailed assessment process will be expected to deliver the requirements of the Adopted Wiltshire and Swindon Minerals Core Strategy and therefore PPS12 paragraph 4.28 should be regarded as a key consideration.

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2.23 The following outcomes of the landowner survey resulted in parcels of land being removed from further consideration:

• Landowner Response = No; • Landowner Response = No Response; • Land Unregistered with the Land Registry Office and/or Landowner Unknown.

Sieve 6

2.24 Following the landowner survey, it was then necessary to review the results from this exercise to determine suitable areas of land to take forward for further consideration and assessment.

2.25 Sieve 6 was concerned with sieving out small parcels of land that may now have become unviable and uneconomical due to shape, size and location, and where larger areas of land had become smaller as a result of the landowner survey process. Furthermore, land submitted by landowners was re-evaluated in line with the underlying geology of the land in order to re-calculate sand and gravel tonnages in areas where clay was present.

2.26 Only land where clusters of mineral bearing fields were common, or where fields neighboured existing, or proposed, areas of mineral working, were taken forward for further consideration.

8 3. Results of sieving process

The Upper Thames Valley Minerals Resource Zone

3.1 The Upper Thames Valley has a history of mineral working that dates back to the 1920s. Sand and gravel extraction intensified during the 1950’s and 1960’s and has continued to provide a steady supply of approximately 1-2 million tonnes per annum of aggregates for the construction markets ever since.

3.2 The Upper Thames Valley area, which crosses the northern boundary of Wiltshire and Swindon into Gloucestershire and extends eastwards into Oxfordshire, currently provides a source of high quality sharp sand and gravel.

3.3 Based on the average distance of 40km for transport of aggregates by road, quarries based in the Upper Thames Valley are believed to serve the markets of Swindon, Cheltenham, Gloucester, Bath, Bristol, possibly Oxford and the market Towns of North, West, Central and East Wiltshire. See Appendix 1 for a map of the assumed key market areas.

3.4 BGS estimates for the Upper Thames Valley, of what has for several decades represented a strategically significant source of sand and gravel (over 50% of production for the south west region), show that the Wiltshire and Swindon share of the resource can theoretically continue to provide primary aggregates at current rates of supply for approximately 75 years. However, the Councils believe that it is unlikely that the remaining undeveloped resource could provide a supply of sand and gravel for this length of time, due to physical and planning related constraints.

3.5 Initial work undertaken to determine the level of resource availability in the Upper Thames Valley highlighted the fact that there could be significantly less years of production remaining in the area than previously believed. The result of this current resource sieving exercise, based on the methodology as discussed above, is expected to provide a more detailed picture of the current state of potential future workable sand and gravel resource in the area and will highlight the extent to which a land bank of resource in the Upper Thames Valley can be maintained.

3.6 Illustrative maps from each stage of the sieving process for the Upper Thames Valley MRZ are provided in Appendix 3 at the back of this document.

9 Figure 2: Upper Thames Valley Mineral Resource Zone

10 Table 1: The Upper Thames Valley: Results from the Sieving Exercises 1- 6

Sieve 1 Sieve 2 Sieve 3

Estimated total Estimated total Estimated total Estimated total Estimated total Estimated total tonnage (mt) hectares (ha) tonnage (mt) hectares (ha) tonnage (mt) hectares (ha)

Estimated total tonnage 116.4 3748.6 81.4 2324.3 74.6 2129.4 (mt) and hectares (ha) prior to sieve application Estimated total tonnage 35.0 1424.3 6.8 194.9 26.8 858.4 (mt) and hectares (ha) removed Estimated total tonnage 81.4 2324.3 74.6 2129.4 47.8 1271.0 (mt) and hectares (ha) taken forward

Sieve 4 Sieve 5 Sieve 6

Estimated total Estimated total Estimated total Estimated total Estimated total Estimated total tonnage (mt) hectares (ha) tonnage (mt) hectares (ha) tonnage (mt) hectares (ha)

Estimated total tonnage 47.8 1271.0 34.5 886.8 20.9 776.5 (mt) and hectares (ha) prior to sieve application Estimated total tonnage 13.3 384.2 22.0 541.4 5.1 36.0 (mt) and hectares (ha) removed Estimated total tonnage 34.5 886.8 20.9* 776.5* 15.8 740.5 (mt) and hectares (ha) taken forward

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Table 2: Results from Sieve 5 – The Landowner Survey

Upper Thames Valley MRZ Total Number Total Sent 56 Total Yes 23 Total No 5 Total Maybe 0 Total No Response 28

Discussion of Findings

3.7 Results from the various sieves employed through the sieving exercise indicate that there is an estimated 15.8 million tonnes of accessible sand and gravel resource remaining in the Upper Thames Valley MRZ in addition to that of the developer proposed sites already put forward.

3.8 Due to the long history of extraction within the Upper Thames Valley MRZ, results of the landowner survey, as undertaken during sieve 5, show that there is still a strong level of landowner co-operation to potential extraction in the area. This is apparent by the level of positive landowner responses received through the landowner survey.

Table 3: Combined tonnage totals (mt)

Sieving exercise approx total Developer proposed sites Combined approx tonnage (mt) approx total tonnage (mt) total tonnage (mt) 15.8 7.1 22.9

3.9 When including the developer proposed figures alongside those figures arising from the results of the sieving exercise, there is an estimated 22.9 million tonnes of potentially workable sand and gravel resource in the Upper Thames Valley MRZ.

3.10 However, as these figures are only estimated and further assessment will be required to determine the true extent of the reserves in the Upper Thames Valley MRZ, these results should only be considered as the most optimistic scenario for the area.

12 The Calne Area Mineral Resource Zone

3.11 The Calne Area, which is located broadly north of the centre of Wiltshire and in close proximity to the settlements of Swindon, Chippenham, Melksham and Trowbridge, is located within a predominantly rural area. It is situated between the soft sand bearing geological deposits of greensand to the north-east and east and sands with inter-bedded sandstones to the south-west.

3.12 To date the majority of mineral operations in this area have occurred on land to the east, between Calne and the villages of Compton Bassett and Cherhill and the resources of the Calne area are likely to serve the major markets of Swindon, Bath, Bristol and the market towns located in the North, West and Central areas of Wiltshire. See Appendix 1 for a map of the assumed key market areas.

3.13 Part of the area is served by the A4 Local Lorry Route Network connecting with the A350 Strategic Lorry Route. Access to the A4, which passes through the centre of Calne, is constrained by the areas’ rural nature and predominantly rural road network.

3.14 The mineral resources within the Calne area provide an essential supply of soft sand used by the construction industry for the creation of mortar, concrete and other industrial uses.

3.15 Through work undertaken by the BGS, it is estimated that the soft sand deposits in the Calne area represent the most significant amount of remaining resource, in terms of volume, within Wiltshire and Swindon and therefore could potentially continue to provide a supply of soft sand in the longer term. However, the rural character of the area and the presence of high quality agricultural land, could dictate that mineral activity in the area may only be suitable to accommodate small scale working facilities. There are also significant planning constraints which will determine how much of the remaining resource can be considered as a potential reserve for the period up to 2026.

3.16 The following sieving exercise considers the resource potential in the area and applies potential planning constraints to this resource.

3.17 Illustrative maps from each stage of the sieving process for the Calne area MRZ are provided in Appendix 4 at the back of this document.

13 Figure 3: Calne Area Mineral Resource Zone

14 Table 4: The Calne Area: Results from the Sieving Exercises 1- 6

Sieve 1 Sieve 2 Sieve 3

Estimated total Estimated total Estimated total Estimated total Estimated total Estimated total tonnage (mt) hectares (ha) tonnage (mt) hectares (ha) tonnage (mt) hectares (ha)

Estimated total tonnage 318.2 3379.8 287.8 3049.0 224.9 2394.1 (mt) and hectares (ha) prior to sieve application Estimated total tonnage 30.4 330.8 62.9 654.9 107.1 1044.1 (mt) and hectares (ha) removed Estimated total tonnage 287.8 3049.0 224.9 2394.1 117.8 1350.0 (mt) and hectares (ha) taken forward

Sieve 4 Sieve 5 Sieve 6

Estimated total Estimated total Estimated total Estimated total Estimated total Estimated total tonnage (mt) hectares (ha) tonnage (mt) hectares (ha) tonnage (mt) hectares (ha)

Estimated total tonnage 117.8 1350.0 92.8 1076.4 31.8 354.4 (mt) and hectares (ha) prior to sieve application Estimated total tonnage 25.0 273.6 60.3 666.1 6.9 9.1 (mt) and hectares (ha) removed Estimated total tonnage 92.8 1076.4 31.8* 354.4* 24.9 345.3 (mt) and hectares (ha) taken forward

15 Table 5: Results from Sieve 5 – The Landowner Survey

Calne MRZ Total Number Total Sent 69 Total Yes 14 Total No 17 Total Maybe 2 Total No Response 36

Discussion of Findings

3.18 Results from the various sieves employed through the sieving exercise indicate that there is an estimated 24.9 million tonnes of potentially accessible sand resource within the Calne MRZ in addition to that of the developer proposed sites already put forward.

3.19 The Calne MRZ has a low level of historical mineral working around the Bromham, Rowde and Derry Hill areas with the majority of working concentrated around Compton Bassett. There was a low overall response rate to the landowner survey undertaken during sieve 5. Of the responses received, the majority of landowners indicated that they would not be willing to put forward land for consideration. This was particularly apparent in the Compton Bassett area where only a handful of landowners wished to have their land considered.

Table 6: Combined tonnage totals (mt)

Sieving exercise approx total Developer proposed sites Combined approx tonnage (mt) approx total tonnage (mt) total tonnage (mt) 24.9 0.5 25.4

3.20 When including the developer proposed figures alongside those figures arising from the results of the sieving exercise, there is a total of 25.4 million tonnes of sand resource that could still potentially be worked in the Calne MRZ.

3.21 The high quality agricultural land located in and around the Bromham area should be treated as a potential constraint to sand and gravel working. Further assessment of the resource in this area will be required to determine whether it is viable to work the sand in this location. If it is deemed to be unsuitable to work, then a large proportion of the estimated resource in the Bromham area could potentially be discounted from further consideration.

3.22 The results of the sieving exercise undertaken are estimated and further assessment will be required to determine the true extent of the reserves in the Calne MRZ and the potential scope for working areas of land with a high agricultural value. These results should therefore only be considered as the most optimistic scenario for the area.

16 South East of Salisbury Mineral Resource Zone

3.23 The land forming the South East of Salisbury MRZ is located on the south eastern boundary of Wiltshire and is within a relatively short distance of the city of Salisbury to the north west. The area is predominantly rural in nature with a number of villages (Redlynch, Whiteparish and Downton) situated in the locale.

3.24 The land to the south east of Salisbury encompass deposits of clay and sands overlying chalk, with the winning and working of aggregates occurring on a relatively small scale17, recently near to the village of Whiteparish.

3.25 The mineral resources associated with the land to the south east of Salisbury provide a supply of soft sand in the use of mortars, concreting and other industrial uses within the construction industry.

3.26 These deposits are likely to serve, based on an assumed economically viable road distance of 40km, the markets of Salisbury, Bournemouth, Poole, Southampton and parts of Dorset and Hampshire. The area is served by the A36 Local Lorry Route Network. See Appendix 1 for a map of the assumed key market areas.

3.27 Through initial work undertaken by the BGS, it is estimated that there is a sufficient level of resource to last for several years beyond 2026 – based on a small scale level of working. However, as with all previous estimates, a number of factors and constraints need to be considered when determining the workable level of resource in the area. The sieving exercise undertaken seeks to consider these constraints to build up a more comprehensive and realistic picture of the resource potential in this area.

3.28 Illustrative maps from each stage of the sieving process for the South East of Salisbury MRZ are provided in Appendix 5 at the back of this document.

17 In this case small scale means output of up to 150,000 tonnes per annum.

17 Figure 4: South East of Salisbury Mineral Resource Zone

18 Table 7: SE of Salisbury: Results from the Sieving Exercises 1- 6

Sieve 1 Sieve 2 Sieve 3

Estimated total Estimated total Estimated total Estimated total Estimated total Estimated total tonnage (mt) hectares (ha) tonnage (mt) hectares (ha) tonnage (mt) hectares (ha)

Estimated total tonnage 46.6 582.3 35.9 449.1 32.0 400.9 (mt) and hectares (ha) prior to sieve application

Estimated total tonnage 10.7 133.2 3.9 48.2 27.0 337.8 (mt) and hectares (ha) removed Estimated total tonnage 35.9 449.1 32.0 400.9 5.0 63.1 (mt) and hectares (ha) taken forward

Sieve 4 Sieve 5 Sieve 6

Estimated total Estimated total Estimated total Estimated total Estimated total Estimated total tonnage (mt) hectares (ha) tonnage (mt) hectares (ha) tonnage (mt) hectares (ha)

Estimated total tonnage 5.0 63.1 2.5 31.9 1.3 15.9 (mt) and hectares (ha) prior to sieve application Estimated total tonnage 2.5 31.2 2.7 33.6 0 0 (mt) and hectares (ha) removed Estimated total tonnage 2.5 31.9 1.3* 15.9* 1.3 15.9 (mt) and hectares (ha) taken forward

19 Table 8: Results from Sieve 5 – The Landowner Survey

SE Salisbury MRZ Total Number Total Sent 5 Total Yes 1 Total No 0 Total Maybe 0 Total No Response 4

Discussion of Findings

3.29 Results from the various sieves employed through the sieving exercise indicate that there is an estimated 1.3 million tonnes of potentially accessible sand resource within the South East of Salisbury MRZ in addition to that of the developer proposed sites already put forward.

3.30 Current quarrying activity is centred around the Brickworth quarry located off the designated Local Lorry Route of the A36. Given the area’s proximity to the New Forest National Park18 and the constraints of the local road network, a large proportion of the resource in this MRZ was removed from further consideration through sieves 1-4.

3.31 Due to the local constraints of the area, only small pockets of resource remained prior to the landowner survey of sieve 5. As a result, only a handful of landowners were contacted through the survey with only 1 landowner responding and wishing for their land to be considered.

Table 9: Combined tonnage totals (mt)

Sieving exercise approx total Developer proposed sites Combined approx tonnage (mt) approx total tonnage (mt) total tonnage (mt) 1.3 1.8 3.1

3.32 When including the developer proposed figures alongside those figures arising from the results of the sieving exercise, there is an estimated 3.1 million tonnes of sand resource that could still potentially be worked in the South East of Salisbury MRZ. However, this figure should only be considered as the most optimistic picture for the area.

18 Para 1.2 of the Adopted Wiltshire and Swindon Minerals Core Strategy DPD recognises the need for all Minerals and Waste development, in proximity to the New Forest National Park, to consider potential impacts on the Park’s primary purpose and designated status.

20 Salisbury Avon Mineral Resource Zone

3.33 The sand and gravel resources within the Salisbury Avon MRZ are a product of fluvial systems associated with the River Avon and run the length of the river course from the north of the MRZ at Salisbury to the south at Downton. The area is characterised by terrace gravel deposits primarily formed in the Quaternary period19.

3.34 A number of settlements are located within the Salisbury Avon MRZ – these being Salisbury, Charlton All Saints, Downton, Alderbury and Odstock.

3.35 The sand and gravel deposits of the Salisbury Avon MRZ are likely to serve, based on an assumed economically viable distance by road of 40km, the markets of Salisbury (and South Wiltshire), Bournemouth/ Poole, Southampton and parts of Dorset and Hampshire. As a shortfall Authority in terms of coarse aggregate, Dorset could represent an area of high demand for aggregates from the Salisbury Avon towards the end of the Plan period. The area is served by the A36 Local Lorry Route Network. See Appendix 2 for a map of the assumed key market areas.

3.36 The records held by the BGS indicate that only the deposits of sand and gravel south of Salisbury should be considered as a resource and this has been reflected in the delineation of the Council’s preferred MRZ. The following sieving exercise considers the resource potential in the area and applies potential planning constraints to this resource.

3.37 Illustrative maps from each stage of the sieving process for the Salisbury Avon MRZ are provided in Appendix 6 at the back of this document.

19 The sand and gravel deposits associated with the River Avon extend south beyond Wiltshire and into the New Forest National Park and beyond to Southampton. Extensive mineral workings can be found around the Blashford Lakes area.

21 Figure 5: Salisbury Avon Mineral Resource Zone

22 Table 10: Salisbury Avon: Results from the Sieving Exercises 1- 6

Sieve 1 Sieve 2 Sieve 3

Estimated total Estimated total Estimated total Estimated total Estimated total Estimated total tonnage (mt) hectares (ha) tonnage (mt) hectares (ha) tonnage (mt) hectares (ha)

Estimated total tonnage 85.7 1223.7 70.9 1012.5 53.8 769.1 (mt) and hectares (ha) prior to sieve application Estimated total tonnage 14.8 211.2 17.0 243.4 28.2 403.3 (mt) and hectares (ha) removed Estimated total tonnage 70.9 1012.5 53.9 769.1 25.6 365.8 (mt) and hectares (ha) taken forward

Sieve 4 Sieve 5 Sieve 6

Estimated total Estimated total Estimated total Estimated total Estimated total Estimated total tonnage (mt) hectares (ha) tonnage (mt) hectares (ha) tonnage (mt) hectares (ha)

Estimated total tonnage 25.6 365.8 23.0 328.2 0.4 5.8 (mt) and hectares (ha) prior to sieve application Estimated total tonnage 2.6 37.6 22.6 322.4 0.2 2.6 (mt) and hectares (ha) removed Estimated total tonnage 23.0 328.2 0.4* 5.8* 0.2 3.2 (mt) and hectares (ha) taken forward

23 Table 11: Results from Sieve 5 – The Landowner Survey

Salisbury Avon MRZ Total Number Total Sent 8 Total Yes 1 Total No 3 Total Maybe 0 Total No Response 4

Discussion of Findings

3.38 Results from the various sieves indicate that there is an estimated 0.2 million tonnes of potentially accessible sand and gravel resource within the Salisbury Avon MRZ in addition to that of the developer proposed sites already put forward.

3.39 The Salisbury Avon MRZ does not have a strong history of sand and gravel extraction. The area is characterised by a linear resource of sand and gravel that predominantly follows the route of the River Avon (designated as an SAC) and is dominated by a heavily constrained road network. Access to a number of potential areas of workable resource is difficult due to these factors and this led to a large proportion of the resource area being excluded between sieves 1-4.

3.40 Of the remaining resource area taken forward into the landowner survey exercise of sieve 5, a large proportion was listed as unregistered or ownership details were not available, whilst the number of landowners willing to put land forward for further consideration was small. The lack of a strong history of mineral working in the area could well have influenced the level of landowner response.

Table 12: Combined tonnage totals (mt) Sieving exercise approx total Developer proposed sites Combined approx tonnage (mt) approx total tonnage (mt) total tonnage (mt) 0.2 2.0 2.2

3.41 When including the developer proposed figures alongside those figures arising from the results of the sieving exercise, there is an estimated 2.2 million tonnes of potentially workable sand and gravel resource remaining in the Salisbury Avon MRZ. Again, it should be considered that this figure is the most optimistic picture for the area.

24

Bristol Avon Mineral Resource Zone

3.42 The Bristol Avon MRZ is located in the west of the county and is characterised by sharp sand and gravel deposits laid in Pleistocene times (within approximately the last two million years).

3.43 Based on an average distance of 40km for transport of aggregates by road, quarries based in the Bristol Avon Mineral Resource Zone could serve the market Towns of West Wiltshire (Chippenham, Trowbridge, Warminster, Melksham, Bradford on Avon and Westbury), Bristol, Bath, Swindon and parts of East Wiltshire. The Strategic Lorry Route (A350) runs broadly in line with the extent of the Resource Zone from Melksham to Chippenham. See Appendix 2 for a map of the assumed key market areas.

3.44 Previous work undertaken by the BGS has highlighted that the resource in this area is of generally poor quality, but does contain isolated pockets of viable mineral. As a result, this would suggest that the Bristol Avon MRZ should not be considered as an alternative long- term strategic source of sand and gravel to that of the Upper Thames Valley.

3.45 The result of this current resource sieving exercise, is expected to provide a more improved picture of the potential future workable sand and gravel resource in the Bristol Avon area. It should be noted however, that at this stage the Councils do not know whether the areas taken forward contain any viable minerals. Further dialogue with the minerals industry will be required in order to properly assess the suitability of the local resources for use in construction projects.

3.46 Illustrative maps from each stage of the sieving process for the Bristol Avon MRZ are provided in Appendix 7 at the back of this document.

25 Figure 6: Bristol Avon Mineral Resource Zone

26 Table 13: Bristol Avon: Results from the Sieving Exercises 1- 6

Sieve 1 Sieve 2 Sieve 3

Estimated total Estimated total Estimated total Estimated total Estimated total Estimated total tonnage (mt) hectares (ha) tonnage (mt) hectares (ha) tonnage (mt) hectares (ha)

Estimated total tonnage 56.6 3761.6 42.0 2794.9 40.3 2681.8 (mt) and hectares (ha) prior to sieve application Estimated total tonnage 14.6 966.7 1.7 113.1 25.8 1711.8 (mt) and hectares (ha) removed Estimated total tonnage 42.0 2794.9 40.3 2681.8 14.5 970.0 (mt) and hectares (ha) taken forward

Sieve 4 Sieve 5 Sieve 6

Estimated total Estimated total Estimated total Estimated total Estimated total Estimated total tonnage (mt) hectares (ha) tonnage (mt) hectares (ha) tonnage (mt) hectares (ha)

Estimated total tonnage 14.5 970.0 12.8 856.0 7.4 494.0 (mt) and hectares (ha) prior to sieve application Estimated total tonnage 1.7 114.0 6.4 427.9 0.5 33.0 (mt) and hectares (ha) removed Estimated total tonnage 12.8 856.0 7.4* 494.0* 6.8* 449.6* (mt) and hectares (ha) taken forward

27 Table 14: Results from Sieve 5 – The Landowner Survey

Bristol Avon MRZ Total Number Total Sent 84 Total Yes 30 Total No 14 Total Maybe 0 Total No Response 40

Discussion of Findings

3.47 Results from the various sieves employed through the sieving exercise indicate that there is an estimated 6.8 million tonnes of potentially accessible sand and gravel resource within the Bristol Avon MRZ.

3.48 There are currently no known developer proposed sites within the Bristol Avon area and there is a lack of current extraction. This can be attributed to the uncertainty surrounding the quality and depth of the sand and gravel in the area. Previous data from work undertaken by the BGS highlighted that the resource in this area is of generally poor quality interspersed with isolated pockets of potentially viable mineral reserves.

3.49 Given this, the total figure of 6.8 million tonnes of sand and gravel for the area should only be treated as the most optimistic figure. In reality, it is a strong possibility that through further detailed assessment of the remaining resource, a lower tonnage figure for the area may arise.

Table 15: Combined tonnage totals (mt)

Sieving exercise approx total Developer proposed sites Combined approx tonnage (mt) approx total tonnage (mt) total tonnage (mt) 6.8 0 6.8

3.50 Future sand and gravel working in the area could be further constrained due to the resource location and extent lying in proximity to several major urban areas. Furthermore, the proposed future development and expansion of Chippenham could result in sterilisation of potentially viable mineral unless a joined-up approach to development is adopted.

3.51 There are potential opportunities to work sand and gravel resources prior to development commencing and this could provide materials for local use in development projects whilst also creating opportunities to enhance flood storage capacity/protection and water management.

28 4. Results overview

4.1 The sieving exercise undertaken, which consisted of desktop analysis, area visits and landowner surveys, has been used to determine the estimated level of accessible and economically viable remaining sand and gravel resource in the Plan area. The sieving exercise has taken into account numerous environmental, historical, social, cultural and economic considerations as detailed in section 2 of this report.

4.2 Those sites where minerals operators have already put forward land to be worked as developer proposed sites have also been added to the results of the sieving exercise undertaken. A summary of these totals can be viewed in table 16 below.

Table 16: Final tonnage totals (mt)

Mineral Resource Zone Sieving exercise Developer Combined approx total tonnage proposed sites approx total (mt) approx total tonnage (mt) tonnage (mt) Upper Thames Valley 15.8 7.1 22.9 Calne Area 24.9 0.5 25.4 South East Salisbury 1.3 1.8 3.1 Salisbury Avon 0.2 2.0 2.2 Bristol Avon 6.8 0 6.8 Approx total tonnage (mt) 49.0 11.4 60.4

4.3 The results of the sieving exercise should only be used as an estimated figure of remaining resource, further detailed assessment of this resource will be required to determine the true extent and depth in the areas that remain after the sieving exercise.

4.4 Given that the final totals (from the resource sieving exercise and from developer proposed sites) for each Mineral Resource Zone are estimated and therefore can only realistically give the most optimistic picture of remaining sand and gravel resource in the Plan area, the requirement of maintaining a production rate of 1.85mt to the Plan period of 2026, at first sight, looks to be achievable. However, the Upper Thames Valley has historically provided about 75% of the total sand and gravel produced each year for Wiltshire and Swindon. With no realistic alternatives for supply within the plan area (the Calne Area only provides soft sand and the Bristol Avon could not match the quality and quantity required), the Upper Thames Valley would ultimately be expected to continue this trend. The likelihood for the Upper Thames Valley to realise this expectation can be calculated as follows:

Time remaining for plan period (2009 – 2026) = 17 years a) Provision requirement 2009 – 2026 = 17 x 1.85 mt = 31.45 mt b) Landbank shortfall as at Jan 2009 = 7.94 mt Total provision requirement 2009 – 2026 (a+b) = 39.39 mt Contribution from Upper Thames Valley (at 75% of total) = 29.5 mt

4.5 The calculation above shows that it is unlikely that the Upper Thames Valley will be able to meet existing expectations. However, this situation may change as a result of the revised sub-regional apportionment due to be published in the summer of 2010.

29 4.6 In addition to the factors considered through the sieving exercise, further planning considerations, industry appetite to develop in new resource areas, the flexibility of market forces, and the viability of alternative mineral reserves will ultimately determine the Councils’ ability to meet forecast provision rates. In addition, the Councils’ historical trend data indicates that the likelihood of consistently meeting the forecast provision rate of 1.85mt per annum, or meeting this figure at all, is questionable.

4.7 The initial list of sites remaining from the sieving exercise can be viewed in the appendices at the back of this document.

30 5. Next Steps and Further Assessment

5.1 The Councils will meet with key stakeholders following the site identification sieving exercise to discuss potential issues that have been identified through initial site appraisals carried out by Council officers. These key stakeholders involved will include, but are not exclusive to, the following organisations/individuals:

• The Environment Agency; • Natural England; • English Heritage; • Highways Agency; • Water and sewerage infrastructure companies; • Landowners; • Mineral Operators; • In-house specialist advisors (Wiltshire Council and Swindon Borough Council); • SA/SEA Consultants; • Local Parish/Town Councils; • Representatives of local communities; and • Adjacent local planning authorities.

5.2 Stakeholder consultation on the initial list of sites (as identified through the site sieving exercise), including developer proposed sites, will be undertaken in April/ May 2010 to assist Council officers in identifying site specific issues and in selecting which sites should be included as part of an initial list of potential sites to take forward into the detailed assessment stage.

5.3 Following this consultation exercise, potential sites will then be taken forward by the Councils into the detailed assessment stage of the Site Allocations DPD work where they will undergo rigorous assessment by environmental consultants (yet to be appointed) and/or in- house experts to determine their suitability. The rigorous site assessment process will build on work undertaken by the Councils and will ensure that the Councils have a robust and credible evidence base to support the case for inclusion or exclusion of each site in the Minerals Site Allocation DPD. This criteria can be broadly categorised as20:

• Transport Assessments; • Contaminated Land; • Ecological surveys; • Landscape and Visual Impact Assessments; • Historic Landscape Character Assessments; • Cultural Heritage; • Flood Risk Assessments; • Air Quality Assessments; and • Noise Surveys.

5.4 Once additional assessment work has been completed and the findings reported to the Councils, all evidence collected through the site selection sieving exercise and the site appraisal process, including comments received through consultation, will be brought together and analysed. The Councils will then prepare the Aggregate Minerals Site Allocations DPD publication document underpinned with this information.

20 Please note that the list is not intended to be exhaustive

31 5.5 In light of all the available evidence collected, the Aggregate Minerals Site Allocations DPD will reflect where the Councils believe the most sustainable options for sand and gravel extraction and processing are situated in Wiltshire and Swindon, having considered all other reasonable alternatives.

5.6 The draft DPD will be published for a minimum 6 week period of consultation and comments received during this consultation stage will be collated and submitted (along with the draft DPD and evidence base) to the Secretary of State for independent examination.

32 Appendices

34 35 Appendix 1 – Assumed Key Market Areas: Upper Thames Valley, Calne Area and South East of Salisbury MRZs

36 37 Appendix 2 – Assumed Key Market Areas: Bristol Avon and Salisbury Avon MRZs

38 39 Appendix 3 – Upper Thames Valley MRZ Sieving Exercise Maps

40

Appendix 3a – Starting Resource (Baseline BGS information)

41 Appendix 3b – Sieve 1: Urban areas, rivers, roads

42 Appendix 3c – Sieve 2: Application of Exclusionary Constraints and within close proximity to

43 Appendix 3d – Sieve 3: Assessment of accessibility

44 Appendix 3e – Sieve 4: Application of Discretionary Constraints and within close proximity to

45 Appendix 3f – Sieve 5: Landowner survey exercise results

46 Appendix 3g – Sieve 6: Removal of remaining small parcels of unviable/uneconomical resource

47 Appendix 3h – Resulting initial list of sites

48 49 Appendix 4 – Calne MRZ Sieving Exercise Maps

50 Appendix 4a – Starting Resource (Baseline BGS information)

51 Appendix 4b – Sieve 1: Urban areas, rivers, roads

52 Appendix 4c – Sieve 2: Application of Exclusionary Constraints and within close proximity to

53 Appendix 4d – Sieve 3: Assessment of accessibility

54 Appendix 4e – Sieve 4: Application of Discretionary Constraints and within close proximity to

55 Appendix 4f – Sieve 5: Landowner survey exercise results

56 Appendix 4g – Sieve 6: Removal of remaining small parcels of unviable/uneconomical resource

57 Appendix 4h – Resulting initial list of sites

58 Appendix 5 – South East of Salisbury MRZ Sieving Exercise Maps

60 Appendix 5a – Starting Resource (Baseline BGS information)

61 Appendix 5b – Sieve 1: Urban areas, rivers, roads

62 Appendix 5c – Sieve 2: Application of Exclusionary Constraints and within close proximity to

63 Appendix 5d – Sieve 3: Assessment of accessibility

64 Appendix 5e – Sieve 4: Application of Discretionary Constraints and within close proximity to

65 Appendix 5f – Sieve 5: Landowner survey exercise results

66 Appendix 5g – Sieve 6: Removal of remaining small parcels of unviable/uneconomical resource

67 Appendix 5h – Resulting initial list of sites

68 Appendix 6 – Salisbury Avon MRZ Sieving Exercise Maps

70 Appendix 6a – Starting Resource (Baseline BGS information)

71 Appendix 6b – Sieve 1: Urban areas, rivers, roads

72 Appendix 6c – Sieve 2: Application of Exclusionary Constraints and within close proximity to

73 Appendix 6d – Sieve 3: Assessment of accessibility

74 Appendix 6e – Sieve 4: Application of Discretionary Constraints and within close proximity to

75 Appendix 6f – Sieve 5: Landowner survey exercise results

76 Appendix 6g – Sieve 6: Removal of remaining small parcels of unviable/uneconomical resource

77 Appendix 6h – Resulting initial list of sites

78 Appendix 7 – Bristol Avon MRZ Sieving Exercise Maps

80 Appendix 7a – Starting Resource (Baseline BGS information)

81 Appendix 7b – Sieve 1: Urban areas, rivers, roads

82 Appendix 7c – Sieve 2: Application of Exclusionary Constraints and within close proximity to

83 Appendix 7d – Sieve 3: Assessment of accessibility

84 Appendix 7e – Sieve 4: Application of Discretionary Constraints and within close proximity to

85 Appendix 7f – Sieve 5: Landowner survey exercise results

86 Appendix 7g – Sieve 6: Removal of remaining small parcels of unviable/uneconomical resource

87 Appendix 7h – Resulting initial list of sites

88