Initial Consultation document

In order to address the Initial Conclusion that the site is unsuitable for allocation because of 'unacceptable impacts on the landscape', the area of land proposed for extraction has been reduced and a detailed specification for screen bunding and landscaping arrangements has been prepared. The scheme has been designed so that the future workings will be adequately screened whilst ensuring that all screen bunding will not in itself be intrusive in the landscape. As a consequence of reducing the area of land for extraction, a revised mineral reserve estimate has been prepared. All documents illustrating the working and restoration proposals, including screening arrangements and detailing the revised mineral reserve estimate are being submitted under separate cover.
On behalf of Frimstone Limited, I would contend that the information submitted adequately addresses the sole reason why this site has not been considered suitable for allocation and that the site should now be allocated.

Whilst the initial conclusion is supported, clarity is required concerning the dimensions of the buffer provided to protect residential amenity. Under the heading 'Amenity' the assessment states, 'the nearest residential property is 42m from the extraction area'. This is incorrect. The buffer area has been designed to ensure the limit of extraction is no closer than 150 metres from the closest residential property positioned close to the southern site boundary.

Since submitting this extension site for inclusion, my client has carried out further geological investigations on both the original site and adjoining land. These investigations have proven a more extensive deposit of Sand and Gravel than originally envisaged. Given this, the Company would wish to enlarge the size of the original extension site to 13.9ha and increase the estimated mineral reserve figure to 780,000 tonnes. A Revised Location Plan and Revised Mineral Reserve Report have been prepared to replace the original versions of these documents and are being submitted under separate cover. On behalf of my client I would ask for these revisions to be carried forward to adoption in the review of the Local Plan.