 There should be no presumption that prospecting for minerals will lead to favourable consideration of an application for mineral extraction. 15.1 Large areas of Sandwell have in the past been subject to extensive mineral working. It is possible that reserves of some types of minerals may remain unworked. It is almost certain that these are sterilised by built developments. The densely developed nature of the area makes the impact of mineral workings more acute than might be experienced in isolated locations. Therefore, there can be no assumption that if mineral deposits exist they can be worked in an environmentally acceptable manner. 15.2 Whilst the scope for additional mineral workings in Sandwell is clearly very limited, the Council is prepared to co-operate as far as possible with the other West Midlands Metropolitan Borough Councils to endeavour to maintain a landbank of reserves of sand and gravel in order to meet the demand in the region, as advised by the West Midlands Regional Aggregates Working Party.  
In considering proposals for new, or for extensions to existing, mineral workings, account will be taken of the following: - The latest available estimates of demand and permitted reserves, where appropriate;
- The impact of the proposals on the environment and measures included in the application to minimise the environmental impact;
- The need for an Environmental Impact Assessment to be submitted with the proposals, in line with Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, 1999;
- The need and opportunity to retain, conserve and enhance areas of geological, ecological, archaeological and scientific interest within, or adjacent to, the proposal site;
- Measures to be taken to prevent any loss of amenity attributable to a temporary cessation of working;
- Whether the proposal would assist in achieving the reclamation of derelict and contaminated land;
- The need to protect areas of open space, agricultural land and sensitive uses;
- Measures to achieve the restoration of the site to an appropriate after use;
- Whether the minerals would otherwise be sterilised by built development;
- Measures to achieve the restoration of the site to an appropriate after use, including satisfactory schemes of working, landscaping, restoration and aftercare providing, where appropriate, for progressive working and reclamation.
- The impact of traffic generated on the adjoining area.
15.3 The need to protect the environment during the life of a mineral working and to provide for the satisfactory restoration of the site is considered to be of paramount importance. However, it has to be recognised that minerals can only be worked where they occur. 15.4 Mineral workings can have a severe impact on their surroundings in terms of visual impact, noise, dust, traffic, and from blasting. The fact that it is one of the few forms of development, which involves the destruction of sites, makes the potential impact more acute for neighbouring uses since they may obtain no immediate benefit from the development. The policy is intended to minimise the effects of any proposal on the surrounding land uses and what is required to restore the land to a viable use. Failure to restore the land would leave sites derelict and in a hazardous condition, and incapable of being used effectively. It is also the intention that, where possible, the transportation of waste materials and their after products is by a means other than road.
Where necessary, buffer zones will be defined around existing and approved future workings where sensitive developments, notably residential uses, will not be permitted. 15.5 The juxtaposition of mineral workings and residential development and any other sensitive uses can lead to conflict between the two uses. Where there is land with development potential adjacent to mineral working sites or land with permission for mineral working, it may be necessary to prevent further conflict by defining buffer zones in which development of a sensitive nature would not be permitted. Failure to do this is likely to lead to pressure to curtail mineral extraction. The extent of any buffer zone will reflect the nature of the mineral working, the siting of plant and machinery and local topography. Such a zone will be defined in consultation with operators, landowners, the relevant statutory agencies and, where appropriate, local residents. The buffer zone will be retained until the restoration of the working is completed, and will be subject to review and, where necessary, amended to accommodate changing circumstances. 15.6 The only active quarry in the Borough is Hailstone/Edwin Richards in the Rowley Hills. A buffer zone of 250 metres from the edge of the site will be used as a basis for considering proposals for development. Within this zone, sensitive developments will not be permitted.
Unless located within an established industrial area, new development ancillary to mineral working will be confined to a location within an area covered by planning permission for mineral extraction, or to ancillary mining land, and limited to the life of the permitted reserves to which it relates. 15.7 Many mineral workings have associated with them other industrial uses that require the minerals for their products. Where there is a proven need to establish a use or industry ancillary to a mineral working, it is intended that this should be within the area of the mineral permission in order to minimise any impact on the environment. The ancillary development would normally be limited to the life of the mineral working with which it is associated, being removed on the cessation of mineral extraction. This would prevent the permanent establishment of what would be non-conforming and in some aspects unpleasant industrial uses.
Planning permission for open cast coal workings will not be granted unless it can be demonstrated that the proposal is environmentally acceptable, or can be made so by planning conditions or obligations. When considering proposals for the open cast working of coal, (in addition to the other factors outlined in Policy M2), particular emphasis will be given to the following: - Whether the coal working can be phased with other key land use requirements;
- The impact of the proposal on the amenities of local residents, other sensitive uses and the wider area;
- Whether the coal working would assist in the reclamation of derelict and contaminated land.
If not environmentally acceptable, the proposal will need to demonstrate that it provides local or community benefits which clearly outweigh the likely adverse impacts of the proposal. Proposals for open cast coal working within the Green Belt will need to be tested against the highest environmental standards. If permission is granted, stringent conditions will be attached to ensure that the site is well operated and will be restored to the highest standards. 15.8 A large area of the borough contains coal deposits at shallow depths, which have in the past been subject to extensive working. Reserves of economic importance may remain beneath vacant sites as well as those that are built on. The effect of the long history of coal working can leave land derelict and unsuitable for any form of built development. Reclamation of this land may require extensive engineering works and thus extraction of coal, as part of these works, can assist in meeting a need for the mineral and recouping some of the reclamation costs. 15.9 The pressures for development within the conurbation are such that the time taken for coal extraction may hinder other key development. Accordingly, there will be a need to ensure that if open cast coal workings are permitted, this does not sterilise or otherwise defer other developments. However, it is acknowledged that in some instances open cast extraction can assist development rather than hinder it. 15.10 The impact of open cast coal working on surrounding areas can be more severe than other mineral workings. It is, therefore, of vital importance that full consideration is given to the level of impact of any proposal. For this reason, submission of an Environmental Assessment with any application to work coal will be required.
Proposals for new or extensions to existing mineral workings in the Sandwell Valley and Rowley Hills will not be permitted, unless it can be shown that the need for mineral extraction overrides environmental considerations. 15.11 Certain areas may, because of their sensitive nature, justify particular protection from the adverse impact of mineral working. The Sandwell Valley is the largest single area of open space in the Borough and forms a unique habitat for wildlife within the conurbation. It also contains significant archaeological remains. The sensitivity of this area is such that it is considered that any form of mineral working is likely to be environmentally unacceptable. 15.12 The Rowley Hills contain the other concentrations of large areas of open space in the Borough, and have been subject to extensive mineral workings with subsequent dereliction in the past. The existing mineral extraction site at Hailstone Quarry is also being used for Waste Disposal. 15.13 The unique elevated position of the hills and their landscape and wildlife value are such that further destruction and degradation through mineral workings is unlikely to be acceptable.
Where appropriate, potential reserves of minerals and aggregates forming part of the West Midlands Aggregates Landbank will be protected from sterilisation by other development. 15.14 It is acknowledged that minerals may only be worked where they exist. However, Sandwell is a heavily urbanised area. Therefore, where possible mineral reserves remain, their working is likely to be constrained by existing development, current land-use policies and proposals, or environmental concerns. Where workable reserves are identified which are not subject to these issues, they will be protected from sterilisation as far as possible. 15.15 The Council, in conjunction with other West Midlands Metropolitan Borough Councils, will endeavour to maintain a landbank of permitted reserves of sand and gravel equivalent to at least 10 years production in accordance with national and regional guidance. It will also endeavour to maintain its contribution to meeting regional demand for aggregates.
|
