Draft Regulation 18 Sandwell Local Plan

Mineral Safeguarding

13.93 This policy sets out how mineral resources in Sandwell, and sites that are expected to be producing, processing or transporting minerals and mineral products, will be protected from other types of development that could compromise their continued operation over the plan period.

Justification

13.94 To prevent the unnecessary sterilisation of minerals resources the prior extraction of these resources is encouraged where non-mineral development is proposed (except for conversions /changes of use that do not involve any new building or excavation works).

13.95 Mineral sterilisation issues will only generally come into play when larger development sites are concerned, i.e., those generally above five hectares, and such developments should be accompanied by supporting information demonstrating that mineral resources will not be needlessly sterilised. The supporting information should include details of a prior extraction scheme or, where this is not considered feasible, evidence that:

1. mineral resources are either not present, are of no economic value or have already been extracted as a result of a previous site reclamation scheme or other development; or
2. extraction of minerals is not feasible, for example due to significant overburden or because mineral extraction would lead to or exacerbate ground instability; or
3. prior extraction of minerals would result in abnormal costs and / or delays which would jeopardise the viability of the development; or
4. there is an overriding need for the development which outweighs the need to safeguard the mineral resources present; or
5. extraction of minerals would have unacceptable impacts on neighbouring uses, the amenity of local communities or other important environmental assets.

13.96 Where prior extraction is proposed, conditions will be imposed on any grant of permission requiring applicants to provide details of the types and tonnages of minerals extracted once the scheme has been completed.

Mineral Processing Infrastructure in Sandwell

13.97 As mineral infrastructure facilities are an essential part of the total infrastructure of the area, it is not only important that they are appropriately located but also there is policy protection applied to these sites to help maintain an adequate and steady supply of minerals.

Table 16 - Key Mineral Infrastructure