Mineral Sites Selection Report
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Draft West Sussex Joint Minerals Local Plan (Regulation 18) Mineral Sites Selection Report April 2016 Contents 1. Executive Summary ....................................................................... 3 2. Introduction ................................................................................... 8 What this report includes ............................................................... 9 What this report does not include ................................................ 10 Why has this Report been published? .......................................... 11 3. The Site Identification and Selection Process .............................. 12 Stage 1: Identifying potential mineral sites and site assessment criteria ......................................................................................... 13 Stage 2: Initial publication of ‘longlist’ of potential mineral sites (MSSv1) and engagement. ........................................................... 15 Stage 3: Publication of MSSv2 (update following consultation on MSSv1)......................................................................................... 16 Stage 4: Desk based assessment: Sites assessed using RAG scoring system and recommended for further appraisal . ............ 16 Stage 5: Detailed technical assessment and Sustainability Appraisal ...................................................................................... 17 Habitats Regulations Assessment ......................................... 19 Landscape Sensitivity and Capacity Study ............................ 19 Transport Assessment .......................................................... 20 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment .......................................... 20 Sustainability Appraisal (including Ecosystem Services Assessment) ......................................................................... 21 Stage 6: Preferred Site Selection (preparing the draft Plan) ........ 22 Appendix 1: Glossary and Abbreviations ............................................... 25 Appendix 2: Key assessment information and criteria .......................... 29 Appendix 3: Sites rejected up until Stage 3 (as published in MSSv2) .... 34 Appendix 4: RAG assessment methodology........................................... 38 Appendix 5: Stage 4 RAG assessment outcomes (including summary) . 45 Appendix 6: Stage 5 RAG assessment outcomes, taking account of technical assessments (including summary) ................... 231 Appendix 7: Exceptional Circumstances and Public Interest test for Soft Sand sites within the South Downs National Park and extension to West Hoathly Brickworks in the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty ................................ 408 2 1. Executive Summary 1.1 There are many sources of minerals which have an important part to play in the prosperity of the nation and the quality of life of residents. West Sussex County Council (WSCC) and the South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA) (the Authorities) are required to plan for a steady and adequate supply of minerals as required by the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). 1.2 To do this, the Authorities are preparing a Joint Minerals Local Plan (hereinafter known as “the Plan”) which identifies sites suitable for contributing to minerals supply requirements. The Authorities have identified and assessed potential mineral sites and, from a list of potential options, identified those which are preferred for allocation. Broadly, the preferred sites are those considered most suitable to meet an identified need. 1.3 In the case of sand and gravel, an assessment of the need for supplies of this mineral is set out in the Authorities’ Local Aggregate Assessment (LAA). The need for supplies of other minerals is considered in the Background Document published alongside the Draft Plan. 1.4 The main purpose of this Mineral Sites Selection Report (“the Report”) is to support the development of the Plan by setting out in detail how the sites proposed for allocation in the Plan (and include in the draft Plan) were identified. 1.5 The LAA concluded that additional sites would be needed to supply soft sand, although earlier site assessment work had also considered whether there were any sites suitable for the supply of sharp sand and gravel. There is also a need to ensure that at least 25 years of provision is made for brick clay (NPPF Para 146) to supply existing brickworks. 1.6 The Report therefore shows how sites suitable for supplying the following mineral types were selected in the draft Plan: • Soft sand; and • Brickmaking clay. 1.7 The development of the draft Plan’s vision and strategic objectives was informed by five ‘guiding principles’ for the future of minerals development in West Sussex and these have influenced the identification of the most 3 suitable sites. This was set out in Background Paper 1 (version 2) which is available on our website (www.westsussex.gov.uk/mwdf). 1.8 The report shows how site selection considerations were identified which were taken into account when assessing potential sites. This report builds on, and updates information that was published in the Mineral Sites Study (version 2) and sets out the findings of the subsequent detailed technical assessment and Sustainability Appraisal of potential sites. It includes an audit trail of the site selection process, setting out how potential sites were initially identified (included in an initial long list of sites as presented in MSSv1 September 2014) and then how they were assessed to establish their suitability for allocation in the Plan. 1.9 The following summary table sets out the assessment stages and the outcomes of each stage. Further detailed information concerning each stage is set out within the main body of this report. Table 1: Site assessment summary Initial sites MSSv1 MSSv2 Desk Technical Preferred identified based assessment site (Stage (Stage assessme and SA selection (Stage 1) 2) 3) nt (RAG) outcome (‘acceptable (Stage 6) (Stage 4) in principle’) (Appendi (Stage 5) x 5) (Appendix 6) Soft Sand Buncton Manor - - Farm* East of West Heath Common Minsted West Severals East Severals West Hawkhurst Farm Duncton Common Coopers Moor Chantry Lane Extension Ham Farm Rock Common West Buncton Crossways 4 Burton East Burton West Dunford Rough Lower Chancton Farm Minsted East Ridlington Farm Rock Common South Wiggonholt Silica Sand Horncroft Land at Wickford Bridge Sharp Sand & Gravel Land at Redvins Woodmancote Common Road West Common Road East Slades Field Densworth North West Stoke Road East West Stoke Road West Huntersrace Lane North Madam Green Farm Brick Kiln Farm Funtington West Copse Farm Downs Road East Downs Road West Ell Bridge Funtington East Huntersrace Lane South Lavant West Shopwyke North Madams Green Farm East 5 Withies Farm East Oving West Park Lane Pulborough Racton Park Stoney Meadow Other Land Adj. to West Hoathley Brickworks Shoreham Cement Works (Chalk) Philpots Quarry Northern Extension (Stone) Note: This table only presents whether or not a stage has been passed by a site. Because a site has passed a stage, it does not mean that it’s acceptable for extraction. At stage 5, sites which have passed are considered “acceptable in principle” and would still require consideration of key issues. *The Buncton Manor Farm site was proposed after MSSv2 was published. It was still subject to the same assessment and stages that all other sites were subject to. = passed assessment stage = failed assessment stage Greyed out = was not assessed at relevant stage. 1.10 There are two sites, as set out in Table 2 below, put forward for allocation in the draft Plan, taking account of the suitability of the site following assessments, and taking into account the need for mineral and, for sites within the National Park and the AONB results of the exceptional circumstances and public interest tests1. Comments received on the proposed allocation of these sites in the Plan will be taken into account when preparing the final Plan that the authorities will propose for submission to the Planning Inspectorate for examination. 1 Tests apply to major development within national parks and AONB and are set out in the para 116 of the NPPF 6 Table 2: Sites which are allocated in the draft Plan Yield SDNPA/ Mineral (tonnage and Proposal/Site Code District WSCC Proposed estimated life) 850,000 Ham Farm M/HO/4A Horsham WSCC Soft Sand tonnes Land Adjacent to 2-3 years Mid Wadhurst West Hoathly M/MS/1 WSCC supply Sussex Clay Brickworks 1.11 The site selection process has involved consideration of a substantial evidence base. This evidence is summarised in this report and is available in full on our website: www.westsussex.gov.uk/mwdf. 7 2. Introduction Background 2.1 Minerals are essential to the nation’s prosperity, and are required to support growth and development. It is important that there is an adequate and steady supply of minerals to provide the infrastructure, buildings and goods that society, industry and the economy needs. It is also important that this provision is made in accordance with the principles of sustainable development. 2.2 Paragraph 157 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)2 requires that Local Plans should allocate sites to promote development and flexible use of land. Specifically in relation to planning for aggregate minerals, paragraph 145 of the NPPF states that Mineral Planning Authorities should plan for a steady and adequate supply by, amongst other things, identifying specific sites, preferred areas and/or areas of search