Issue - meetings

To consider a Discussion Paper on the key issues to be considered in planning for Minerals in Cheshire East. To approve that the Discussion Paper be published for stakeholder and general consultation.

That the Cabinet Member for Performance and Capacity approve the Minerals Issues Discussion Paper for purposes of consultation on the development of minerals planning policies in the Local Plan.

The Cabinet Member considered a report on the key issues to be considered in planning for Minerals in Cheshire East.

The Cheshire East Local Plan needed to contain strategic policies and specific site allocations in respect of minerals related developments in the Borough as it would supersede the existing Cheshire Replacement Minerals Local Plan adopted by Cheshire County Council in 1999.  The role of the Local Plan was to ensure that adequate supplies of minerals were provided to meet foreseeable needs and that known mineral reserves were safeguarded from unnecessary developments.

In order to stimulate debate and to seek the views of the mineral industry and other interested parties on the appropriate policy approach for minerals extraction, a Discussion Paper had been produced which was intended to be the subject to a period of consultation.  The copy of the Consultation Document was attached to the Report as Appendix 1. 

The document considered and asked for comment on 6 key issues:

• Securing the steady and adequate supply of minerals
• Ensuring the prudent, efficient and sustainable use of mineral resources
• Safeguarding mineral resources
• Ensuring high quality restoration and aftercare of mineral sites
• Sustainable transport of minerals
• Underground gas storage following mineral extraction

It was intended that the document would be published for consultation for a period of four weeks on the Council’s website and specific invitations to comment would be sent to existing mineral operators in the Borough, Town and Parish Councils, statutory consultees and environmental groups. 

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet Member for Performance and Capacity approve the Minerals Issues Discussion Paper for purposes of consultation on the development of minerals planning policies in the Local Plan.