Comment
Preferred Options consultation document
Representation ID: 94614
Received: 25/10/2019
Respondent: Longwater Gravel Co. Ltd.
Longwater Gravel has proposed that three of its mineral extraction sites, already adopted in the current Mineral Site-Specific Allocations DPD, should be included in the Norfolk Minerals and Waste Local Plan review, these are:
* MIN 64 - Horstead (extension)
* MIN 45 - Coxford Abbey (extension)
* MIN 51 - Beetley (new greenfield site)
As the review seeks to extend the plan period by a further 10 years to 2036, Longwater Gravel initially proposed that an additional site should be considered for allocation, this is:
* MIN 13 - Beetley (now combined with MIN 51)
Since MIN 45 was proposed by Longwater Gravel to be retained as an adopted site in the Norfolk Minerals and Waste Local Plan, changes have been made to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) in respect of the protection afforded to Plantations on Ancient Woodland Sites (PAWS). As part of MIN 45 is designated as a PAWS, this means that even though the woodland is a commercial conifer plantation, under the new NPPF, the PAWS designation now effectively prohibits mineral extraction. Due to this change, Norfolk County Council has concluded that MIN 45 is unsuitable for allocation and Longwater Gravel has reluctantly conceded that securing planning permission for MIN 45 is now very unlikely. Consequently, the lack of MIN 45 will result in the closure of Coxford Abbey Quarry by 2027.
Assuming that planning permission is granted for mineral extraction at MIN 51/MIN 13 and the site does become operational, as permitted mineral reserves at Coxford Abbey Quarry become exhausted, Longwater Gravel would seek to maintain continuity of sand and gravel supply to some of its existing customers from MIN 51/MIN 13. From 2027, production could potentially increase from 70,000 tonnes/year to 110,000 tonnes/year. As these sites would be extracted at a higher rate than previously planned, mineral reserves at MIN 51/MIN 13 could potentially be exhausted by 2033. This would mean that MIN 08, which Norfolk County Council has indicated would be planned as a future extension to MIN 51/MIN 13, would need to be worked during the Norfolk Minerals and Waste Local Plan period (2020-2036). The timescale for working the individual sites would be as follows:
* MIN 13: 2020 - 2027
* MIN 51: 2028 - 2032
* MIN 08: 2033 -
Longwater Gravel proposes that Norfolk County Council reconsiders its decision not to allocate MIN 08 and proposes that the site is combined with MIN 51/MIN 13 to create a new 1.85mt site. The site proposal form for MIN 08 will be resubmitted to show details of the new landowner and also to indicate Longwater Gravel as the mineral operator. A revised plan for MIN 08 showing the land owned by the Gressenhall Relief Charity excluded will also be submitted.
Summary: Due to MIN 45 not being allocated, its is likely that MIN 51/MIN 13 (assuming planning permission is granted) will be worked at a higher annual output than previously stated. If this is the case, then reserves in MIN 51/MIN 13 could be exhausted by 2032 and extraction in MIN 08 could be commence as early as 2033. We therefore request that MIN 08 is allocated.
Longwater Gravel has proposed that three of its mineral extraction sites, already adopted in the current Mineral Site-Specific Allocations DPD, should be included in the Norfolk Minerals and Waste Local Plan review, these are:
* MIN 64 - Horstead (extension)
* MIN 45 - Coxford Abbey (extension)
* MIN 51 - Beetley (new greenfield site)
As the review seeks to extend the plan period by a further 10 years to 2036, Longwater Gravel initially proposed that an additional site should be considered for allocation, this is:
* MIN 13 - Beetley (now combined with MIN 51)
Since MIN 45 was proposed by Longwater Gravel to be retained as an adopted site in the Norfolk Minerals and Waste Local Plan, changes have been made to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) in respect of the protection afforded to Plantations on Ancient Woodland Sites (PAWS). As part of MIN 45 is designated as a PAWS, this means that even though the woodland is a commercial conifer plantation, under the new NPPF, the PAWS designation now effectively prohibits mineral extraction. Due to this change, Norfolk County Council has concluded that MIN 45 is unsuitable for allocation and Longwater Gravel has reluctantly conceded that securing planning permission for MIN 45 is now very unlikely. Consequently, the lack of MIN 45 will result in the closure of Coxford Abbey Quarry by 2027.
Assuming that planning permission is granted for mineral extraction at MIN 51/MIN 13 and the site does become operational, as permitted mineral reserves at Coxford Abbey Quarry become exhausted, Longwater Gravel would seek to maintain continuity of sand and gravel supply to some of its existing customers from MIN 51/MIN 13. From 2027, production could potentially increase from 70,000 tonnes/year to 110,000 tonnes/year. As these sites would be extracted at a higher rate than previously planned, mineral reserves at MIN 51/MIN 13 could potentially be exhausted by 2033. This would mean that MIN 08, which Norfolk County Council has indicated would be planned as a future extension to MIN 51/MIN 13, would need to be worked during the Norfolk Minerals and Waste Local Plan period (2020-2036). The timescale for working the individual sites would be as follows:
* MIN 13: 2020 - 2027
* MIN 51: 2028 - 2032
* MIN 08: 2033 -
Longwater Gravel proposes that Norfolk County Council reconsiders its decision not to allocate MIN 08 and proposes that the site is combined with MIN 51/MIN 13 to create a new 1.85mt site. The site proposal form for MIN 08 will be resubmitted to show details of the new landowner and also to indicate Longwater Gravel as the mineral operator. A revised plan for MIN 08 showing the land owned by the Gressenhall Relief Charity excluded will also be submitted.