In this chapter

• Introduction to development management policy
• Housing
• Climate change
• Nature and ecosystem services
• Green Belt
• Jobs and economy
• Healthy, vibrant and inclusive communities
• Heritage and design
• Sustainable transport
• Pollution, contamination and safety
• Minerals and waste
  • Policy MIN/M: Strategic approach to minerals
  • Policy MIN/MSA: Mineral safeguarding areas
  • Policy MIN/MA: Mineral allocations
  • Policy MIN/RF: Aggregate recycling facilities
  • Policy MIN/WW: Winning and working of minerals
  • Policy MIN/MD: Minerals development: environmental enhancement through restoration
  • Policy MIN/HC: Conventional and unconventional hydrocarbons
• Waste
• Infrastructure

Policy MIN/MA: Mineral allocations

About this page

How this part of the Local Plan Options Document works

These Development Management policy option pages contain the following sections:

Policy background

• Relevant national policy or regulations
• National or regional trends
• Local situation and needs/li>
• How we have dealt with this issue in the past
• The thinking behind the policy

Policy options for the new Local Plan

We may suggest a variety of approaches:

• Keeping existing policy as it is
• Making small changes
• Replacing the policy with something that is substantially different
• Identifying factors or events which may affect this policy in the future

Policy option analysis

• A list of the advantages and disadvantages that we have identified for each of the policy options we are presenting.

More on this topic

View the Minerals and Waste Topic Paper and Minerals Planning Policy Advice Evidence Base for in-depth focus about this topic, and the evidence which informs our policy. Visit our library of Local Plan Options supporting documents to learn more.

Explore the policy

Select a section below to read more.

Policy background

9.478 Active mineral working continues at both Upper Lawn Quarry and Stoke Hill Mine. However, Stowey Quarry, previously identified for future extraction, has now been worked to its maximum extent and the current planning permission for mineral extraction has expired.

9.479 The Upper Lawn Quarry has been extended since the Placemaking Plan was adopted under planning permission reference 16/05548/MINW. This covers a period of working up to 2035, therefore within the plan period. There have been no issues raised regarding the Preferred Area designation which covers a larger area than the permission site, within the MSA. Preferred Areas are defined in the NPPG as areas of known resources where planning permission might reasonably be anticipated. Such areas may also include essential operations associated with mineral extraction.

9.480 The Stoke Hill mine is subject to a small allocation to cover the operational area above ground (as shown in the plan above of the MSA). The current site is subject to planning permission area 04/03910/MINW which was to “Extend the planning boundary to 70ha and the end date of the existing permission (ref: 96/02045/FUL) to 2042.”

9.481 The Stoke Hill Mine / Hayes Wood to Hog Wood MSA covers 175ha and aligns with an Area of Search. Areas of Search are defined as an area where knowledge of mineral resources may be less certain but within which planning permission may be granted, particularly if there is a potential shortfall in supply. There remains therefore a substantial area identified for potential future working and this is considered likely to be adequate for the Local Plan period and should therefore be retained.

Policy options for the new Local Plan

9.482 It is proposed that the current policy text is retained.

9.483 The Upper Lawn Quarry allocation on the Policies Map is proposed to be amended to include the quarry extension area as approved and implemented. No changes are recommended to the Preferred Area designation.

9.484 No changes are proposed for the Stoke Hill mine allocation which covers the above ground operations of the permitted site. No changes are currently proposed for the Area of Search, which is significantly larger in extent than the permission site, which allows operations to 2042.

Option A

Amend Upper Lawn Quarry allocation to take into account 2016 permission site area.

Advantages of Option A

• To reflect the current workings and permittedcsite area.

Disadvantages of Option A

• None identified.

Option B

Retain Upper Lawn Quarry Preferred Area.

Advantages of Option B

• No issues have been raised with the Preferred Area as designated.

Disadvantages of Option B

• None identified.

Option C

Retain Stoke Hill Mine Allocation.

Advantages of Option C

• No issues have been raised with the allocation.

Disadvantages of Option C

• None identified.

Option D

Retain the Stoke Hill Mine Area of Search to align with the current Mineral Safeguarding Area

Advantages of Option D

• This allows for a potential expansion within the Area of Search should there be a potential shortfall in supply subject to planning framework.

Disadvantages of Option D

• This is an existing allocation. None identified.