SLP KDBH Extracts - Flipbook - Page 114
xi.
9.
Reclamation to an agreed use, which should prioritise the contribution the site
could make to green infrastructure, the conservation and enhancement of
biodiversity, including Local Biodiversity Action Plans, the enhancement and
restoration of the Arden landscape, flood risk management, appropriate
recreation uses and agriculture, as well as the availability of suitable infill
material if appropriate.
Proposals for ancillary uses will be permitted where they are located within the
extraction site, are limited to the life of the permitted reserves and minimise the
impacts on environmental assets, transport infrastructure and surrounding occupiers
and uses. The Council will support proposals for complementary recycling facilities,
which should be as close as possible to the point of extraction or disposal.
Justification
359.
The NPPF requires the Council to safeguard proven mineral resources from sterilisation by
non-mineral development, together with existing, planned and potential infrastructure
facilities. Mineral Safeguarding Areas have been defined for sand and gravel resources,
based on work undertaken in Mineral Safeguarding in Solihull. The Mineral Safeguarding
Areas include any known or anticipated sites for infrastructure including two concrete plants
and one dry silo mortar plant at Berkswell and Meriden Quarries, and sites for the production
of secondary and recycled materials at both quarries. The policy requires the prior extraction
of minerals where non-mineral development that could sterilise resources is proposed unless
justified, in accordance with national guidance.
360.
The national and local guidelines for aggregates provision in England 2005 to 2020 assume
a significant contribution from alternative materials, which reduces the requirement for the
production of primary aggregates. The policy promotes the use of alternative materials in
construction within the Borough and provides for new and expanded facilities within a
defined area of search. The co-location of primary extraction and permanent secondary
facilities is likely to bring benefits in minimising transport and environmental costs.
Temporary facilities for alternative materials will be encouraged on sites for significant
development in the Borough.
361.
The national and local guidelines for aggregates provision in England 2005 to 2020 provide a
target production figure for primary aggregates for the West Midlands, which has been
apportioned to sub-regions following advice from the West Midlands aggregates working
party (WMAWP). Whilst account still needs to be taken of the guidelines, the NPPF requires
minerals planning authorities to prepare an annual Local Aggregate Assessment (LAA) to
plan for a steady and adequate supply of aggregates. The West Midlands Metropolitan Area
LAA 2015 puts forward two scenarios based firstly on the apportioned figure of 0.55 million
tonnes per annum, and secondly on the ten year rolling average of sales data of just under
0.5 million tonnes per annum. The latter figure results in a requirement of 11.5 million tonnes
for the period 2020 to 2036, including a seven year landbank.
362.
The latest WMAWP AMR for 2017 identifies permitted reserves of 3.99 million tonnes for the
Metropolitan Area as at 31 December 2017. However, the 2018 survey indicates that this
has reduced to 3.26 million tonnes as at 31 December 2018. This would leave 8.24 million
tonnes to be provided for across the Metropolitan Area to 2035.
363.
The Borough is the main source of primary aggregate production for the Metropolitan Area,
with annual production of up to 0.5 million tonnes of sand and gravel representing over 90%
of the LAA production target. Production fell to 0.36 million tonnes in 2018, reflecting the
closure of Stonebridge Quarry, following the issue of a Stop Notice by the HS2 Company.
The contribution from Solihull reflects the relative levels of sand and gravel resources in
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