Decision details

To seek approval to publish the draft Cheshire East Minerals and Waste Development Plan Document (Local Plan part 3) along with its supporting evidence for public consultation.

Stuart Penny, Planning Policy and Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Manager introduced the item to the Committee, the Minerals and Waste Plan contained strategic and non-strategic policies, that focussed on issues specific to minerals and waste matters.

The Committee was given the opportunity to ask questions, there was some discussion on:

·         Of the two identified sites for Silica sand, had any consultation taken place with neighbours, the Committee were advised that this was the first stage of the plan and consultation will follow when the proposals were released;

·         Concern in relation to the predicted shortfall in capacity to manage residual waste (black bin) and inert waste over the period to 2030 and that this was eight years away.  The Committee were advised that there were two elements to the landfill element, the Crewe site did not accept waste anymore and the council would need to call for sites for a potential operator to come forward;

·         The position in relation to mineral extraction restoration and the trend in the past to make lakes from exhausted quarries which did have some Biodiversity merit but was often not part of the original topography.  The Committee were advised that in-line with the after-care management plan, restoration must be appropriate to location and sympathetic to environment.  The Committee were reassured by this;

·         The Council position on fracking, the Committee were advised that the planning guidance states councils must plan positively with the need for resource but to balance against impacts; and

·         The importance of consultation from public on fracking proposals.  The Committee was advised that there was a set of requirements set out in the plan policy that applicants would need to evaluate impacts, including water, environment, pollution, etc. 

RESOLVED (Unanimously) That:

a) the draft version of the Minerals and Waste Plan be approved for public consultation together with its associated documents, call for sites exercise and mapping (via the Council’s website). This includes the Sustainability Assessment, Habitats Regulation Assessment and the current supporting evidence base for the MWP;

b) the Head of Planning be authorised to finalise the Sustainability Appraisal and Habitats Regulation Assessment and to make any necessary changes required to the draft Minerals and Waste Plan as a result of their findings; and

c) the Head of Planning be authorised to make any other non-material changes to the consultation documents or supporting information ahead of the consultation and prepare any additional explanatory information to support the consultation.