Draft Regulation 18 Sandwell Local Plan
Managing the Effects of Mineral Development
13.98 This policy sets out the requirements that planning applications for potential mineral working and minerals infrastructure will be expected to address. The policy identifies some general requirements that any potential mineral development proposals will need to satisfy, and then lists several additional criteria against which such proposals will be further assessed. The policy applies to both proposals at existing sites and those at new ones.
Policy SMI2 - Managing the Effects of Mineral Development
General Requirements for Minerals Developments
- When working ceases, all plant and equipment should be removed, and sites should be restored as soon as possible.
- The working, processing or recycling of minerals must accord with all other policies in relation to the protection of the environment, public amenity and health, and surrounding land uses as set out in this plan or in any other adopted development plan – or otherwise demonstrate that other material considerations outweigh any policy conflict.
- Subject to other policies within the Plan, planning permission will be granted for built development within the Consideration Zones around Coneygre Mine and Blackham Mine, where the applicant is able to demonstrate that a collapse in the mine would not prejudice public safety or compromise the structural integrity of the proposed structures.
- Proposals should address the impact of transporting minerals and mineral products on the highway network and should be accompanied by a Transport Assessment if generating a significant number of vehicle movements.
Additional Assessment Criteria for Minerals Developments
- In addition to the general requirements set out above, proposals for mineral working or mineral-related infrastructure at both new and existing sites will be further assessed in terms of:
- minimising any adverse visual impacts;
- effects on natural, built, and historic (including archaeological) environments and on public health;
- generation of noise, dust, vibration, lighting, and excessive vehicle movements;
- compatibility with neighbouring uses – taking into account the nature of the operations, hours of working, the timing and duration of operations and any cumulative effects;
- harm to water quality and resources and flood risk management;
- ground conditions and land stability;
- land use conflict – proposals should demonstrate compatibility with the uses already present within the surrounding area;
- impacts on the highway, transport, and drainage network;
- where necessary, mitigation measures should be identified to reduce any adverse effects to an acceptable level.
Justification
General Requirements for Mineral Developments
13.99 This policy sets out the general requirements that will apply to all proposals involving the development of mineral infrastructure and mineral working.
13.100 Mineral infrastructure proposals are defined as storage, handling, and processing facilities (such as depots and recycling facilities) and transportation facilities (such as rail sidings, rail heads and canal wharves). Mineral working proposals (of which there are currently none in Sandwell) include activities such as prior extraction in advance of a redevelopment scheme, extensions to existing quarries, new quarries, borrow pits, stockpiles, and exploitation of coal bed methane.
13.101 Mineral developments differ and early discussion with the Council is recommended to clarify the scope and detail of information that will be required. It will be important that the applicant demonstrates the proposal to be consistent with national policy guidance and the overall Spatial Strategy.
Environment and Amenity
13.102 Impacts need to be carefully managed, to maintain the environmental quality and amenity of neighbouring uses. For example, proposals should consider the potential:
- impacts on air quality arising from the transportation of material or dust and particles from excavation and processing;
- impacts on important environmental assets such as sites designated for their importance for biodiversity / geodiversity, historic buildings, conservation areas, and important archaeological remains;
- visual impacts on the local landscape, particularly on prominent and highly visible sites;
- impacts on local communities (including their health) near to mineral handling or production sites.
Cumulative Impacts
13.103 The cumulative impact on the amenity of local communities already affected by quarrying is also an important issue. One of the main sources of complaint is noise and dust from heavy goods vehicles, so haulage routes should minimise these impacts where possible. Without proper management and mitigation, a concentration of quarries and related activities may make particular areas less attractive to live in.
Transportation
13.104 There is little scope for the transportation of minerals by modes other than road in the Black Country, as the rail network does not reach the main mineral resource areas, and the canal network is generally not considered suitable for transporting minerals other than on a short-term temporary basis. Nevertheless, and in the interests of moving towards more sustainable transport, proposals should consider the potential for moving mineral products by rail or inland waterways where feasible.