1997-2011Somerset Minerals Local Plan adopted april 2004 Somerset Mineral Local Plan 1997 - 2011 Adopted Version STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATION 20(3) OF THE TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING (DEVELOPMENT PLAN) (ENGLAND) REGULATIONS 1999 Introduction ● protect against adverse environmental impacts arising Regulation 20(3) requires that the reasoned justification of the from mineral extraction and associated activities; policies contained in the Plan shall contain a statement of the ● promote environmentally acceptable means of regard the Mineral Planning Authority (MPA) has had to the extraction and transportation of minerals; following matters; ● promote the use of non-road transport modes for the movement of minerals and mineral products, where ● Any regional or strategic planning guidance issued by economically and technically feasible and identify the Secretary of State. and safeguard appropriate infrastructure facilities. S ● Current national policies Where road transportation is the only feasible option ● Resources likely to be available. available, maximum use should be made of motorway, Plan Local Minerals omerset ● Other matters prescribed by the Secretary of State. trunk and principal roads, unless the use of other ● Economic, environmental and social considerations. roads is more acceptable environmentally; ● The National Waste Strategy and reasons for any ● promote environmentally beneficial reclamation, inconsistencies with it. including agricultural uses and afteruse of exhausted ● The objectives of preventing major accidents and mineral workings, with appropriate aftercare. limiting the consequences of such accidents; and the need in the long term to maintain appropriate National Policies distances between establishments and residential In preparing this Plan the MPA has had full regard to relevant areas, areas of public use and areas of particular national policy guidance contained in Planning Policy and sensitivity or interest; and in the case of existing Minerals Planning Guidance Notes. Where national guidance establishments, for additional technical measures is appropriate to the local circumstances of Somerset it has so as not to increase the risks to people. been incorporated into the Plan. Where national guidance ● The account the MPA has taken of any Enterprise Zone has not been followed, the reasons are set out in the relevant schemes in the Plan area and a statement of the reasoned justification. regard the MPA has had to them is set out below. Resources Available Regional Planning Guidance The policies and proposal of this Plan seek to ensure that In preparing this Plan the MPA has had full regard for RPG 10 minerals development only takes place in accordance with the Regional Planning Guidance for the South West (2001), which principles of sustainable development. A key element of this sets out the broad strategic guidance for mineral planning in is to conserve minerals as far as possible whilst ensuring an the South West. In relation to mineral working the current RPG adequate supply to meet needs. The details of what the MPA states that: regard as an adequate supply are set in the Chapters on individual minerals. MPAs should work together with mineral operators and other agencies to: Other Matters Prescribed by the Secretary of State No other matters have been prescribed by the Secretary of ● identify, in development plans, Mineral Consultation State. Areas and safeguard mineral resources to ensure that there are sufficient environmentally acceptable Economic, Environmental and Social Considerations sources to maintain an appropriate level of supplies These considerations have been taken into account in for current and future needs. They should recognise preparing all the sections of the Plan, but Chapter 3 is the key the need to provide for other land uses and have part because it sets out the strategy of the Plan which guides regard to guidance in PPG7 (The Countryside) and all the subsequent policies. PPG9 (Nature Conservation). Schemes, except those of a minor nature, should not be located in, or where “The key strategy for all forms of mineral extraction, which they might adversely affect, National Parks, AONBs, will guide all the policies within this Plan, is for Somerset to or other national or international designated sites make an appropriate contribution to the local, regional and such as SPAs, other than in exceptional circumstances national need for minerals which does not compromise the and then only where after the most rigorous achievement of a pattern of sustainable development across examination they are demonstrated to be in the the County and recognises the need to encourage the public interest; recycling of material”. This is based on the elements of sustainable development being economic opportunity, social equity and environmental conservation. April 2004 The National Waste Strategy The MPA has had regard to “Waste Strategy 2000” (May, 2000) in preparing Chapter 5 of the Plan which sets out the policies on the use of recycled and secondary materials and the efficient use of minerals. In addition, the strategy of the Plan seeks to ensure that primary material extraction is only undertaken where there are no practical substitute materials. The policies and proposals of the Plan are not considered S inconsistent with Government on this matter. Other aspects omerset Minerals Local Plan Local Minerals omerset of the National Waste Strategy are taken into account in the Somerset Waste Local Plan. The Objectives of Preventing Major Accidents The MPA has had regard to this objective in the preparation of the Plan but no policies or proposals were considered necessary. Enterprise Zone There are no Enterprise Zones in the Plan Area. April 2004 Contents 1. Introduction Appendix 1 Mineral Consultation Areas 41 1.1 Minerals and the Mineral Planning Authority 1 1.2 What are Minerals? 1 Appendix 2 Proposals Map and Inset Plans 42 1.3 Who should read the Deposit Plan? 1 A2.1 The Proposals Map 43 1.4 The need for a Minerals Local Plan 1 A2.2 The East Mendip Area 44 1.5 The Plan Programme 2 – Inset Plan 1. A2.3 The West Mendips Area 45 2. The Geology of Somerset 3 – Inset Plan 2. S A2.4 Peat Areas 46 3. Minerals and Sustainability – Inset Plan 3. Plan Local Minerals omerset 3.1 Introduction 5 A2.5 Framework for Reclamation 47 3.2Sustainable Minerals Development 5 – Inset Plan 4. 3.3 Monitoring 6 A2.6 The Brean and Berrow Dunes System 48 – Inset Plan 5. 4. Protecting the Environment and Local Communities A2.7 Whiteball 49 4.1 Introduction 7 – Inset Plan 6. 4.2 Landscape 7 4.3Green Belt 8 Appendix 3 Site Information 50 4.4 Nature Conservation 8 4.5 Historic Environment 9 4.6Water Environment 10 4.7Best and Most Versatile Agricultural Land 11 4.8 Public Rights of Way 11 4.9Reclamation and Aftercare 12 4.10 Dust 14 4.11 Lighting 14 4.12 Traffic 14 4.13 Noise 15 4.14 Blasting 16 4.15 Stability of Surface Mineral Workings and Tips 16 4.16 Disposal of Mineral Wastes 16 4.17 Cumulative Impact 17 4.18 General Permitted Development Order 17 4.19 Planning Obligations 17 4.20 Environmental Assessment 18 5. Mineral Resources and Secondary Aggregates 5.1New Working Areas 19 5.2 Mineral Consultation Areas 19 5.3Substitute Materials 20 5.4Efficient Use of Minerals 20 6. Strategy for Crushed Rock Aggregates 22 7. Strategy for Peat Extraction 29 8. Strategy for Building Stone Extraction 36 9. Strategy for Sand and Gravel Extraction 38 10. Strategy for Borrow Pits 39 11. Strategy for Other Minerals 40 April 2004 Chapter 1 Introduction 1.1 Minerals and the Mineral Planning Authority ● Somerset County Council; who will use the Local Plan 1.1.1 Somerset County Council is the Mineral Planning process as a means of influencing National minerals Authority (MPA) for the County with the exception of policy and the future of the local industry. Following the area of Exmoor National Park where the National adoption of the Plan, it will serve as the principal Park Authority has its own powers. means of testing the acceptability of all mineral planning proposals within the County. 1.1.2 The MPA exercises powers assigned to it under planning legislation to control mineral development in 1.3.2 The Local Plan process is an important opportunity S the County. for the County Council to bring the issues associated omerset Minerals Local Plan Local Minerals omerset with mineral working in Somerset before these parties 1.2 What are Minerals? for discussion. Within the limits imposed by present 1.2.1 Minerals, for purposes of the planning system are legislation, Government advice and planning defined as including ‘all minerals and substances in or commitments which have already been made, this under land of a kind ordinarily worked for removal by document aims to take the demand for minerals and underground or surface working, except that it does the needs of the Somerset environment towards an not include peat cut for purposes other than sale’ acceptable state of balance. (Town and Country Planning Act 1990). 1.4 The Need for a Minerals Local Plan 1.3 Who Should Read the Deposit Plan? 1.4.1 With mineral interests affecting, or having potential 1.3.1 The Somerset Minerals Local Plan will be important to affect, such large areas of the County, it is clearly to the interests of five main groups of people: important to discuss and plan for the issues associated with mineral working in Somerset. ● The Public; especially local residents but including the special interest groups, nature conservation 1.4.2 Government recognises that need and places a organisations etc. The Plan will state how the planning statutory obligation on Somerset County Council to system will aim to protect these parties’ interests prepare a Minerals Local Plan under the Town and and will be an important reference document for Country Planning Act 1990 as amended by the 1991 members of the public who are concerned about the Planning and Compensation Act.