While the Council welcomes the creation of additional jobs within the industrial sector of the City’s economy, it must also ensure that there is no unacceptable long-term impact on residential amenity and the environment. Mineral workings have the potential to cause problems such as noise, dust, increased traffic and visual intrusion. National Planning Policy Guideline 4: Land for Mineral Working (NPPG4) indicates the considerations that planning authorities should take into account when preparing development plans. In particular, it makes clear that local authorities, amongst other things, should ensure that areas of importance to the natural and built heritage are protected from inappropriate mineral development. In addition, it makes clear that, where permission is granted, local authorities should seek to ensure that the developer provides a high standard of restoration, aftercare and beneficial after-use. The following policy sets out the standards which the Council will apply when dealing with a planning application for mineral extraction.

1. In general, the Council will only consider granting planning permission for mineral workings where:

(i) the proposal has been justified on its merits in relation to its importance (type, quality and demand for the mineral), scale and the location of alternative sources of supply;

(ii) the site, including proposed operational works/deposits, will not adversely affect: areas identified as an environmental resource; the image of the City or the safety and amenity of the local community and will not be conspicuous when viewed from the motorway/trunk road and main rail networks or from the built-up area, (examples of factors potentially detrimental to safety/amenity include the generation of noise, dust, vibration, the impact of traffic, visual intrusion etc.);

(iii) the loss of agricultural land or the reduction in viability of a farm unit does not significantly affect important agricultural interest; and

(iv) the proposal would not compromise or conflict with another Council policy or proposal.

2. Should the Council grant planning permission for any particular application the applicant, or the operator, will, prior to commencing site works, be required to lodge a restoration bond with the Council. On successful completion of restoration works, the bond will be returned. This matter will be managed through a Section 75 Agreement.

3. Before granting planning permission for any particular application, the Council will require the applicant/operator to agree to a phasing scheme for both operational and restoration works through planning conditions reinforced by a Section 75 Agreement.

4. Any permission granted by the Council will include time limit conditions that will relate to the completion of operations and the completion of restoration works.

5. In relation to restoration works, the Council will normally insist the land is restored to either forestry, nature conservation/wildlife or recreational use to the specification of the Council.

6. Should any applicant fail to comply with any restoration conditions, the necessary works will be carried out by the Council and charged against the bond deposited in accordance with criteria 2 above.

7. Any permission granted by the Council will include planning conditions and, if necessary, an advisory note to the applicant to consult the Protective Services Department and Health and Safety Executive.