Agenda item

To seek Cabinet approval of the Draft Minerals Local Plan for Gloucestershire for public consultation.

Cllr Nigel Moor, Cabinet Member for Fire, Planning and Infrastructure, sought Cabinet approval of the Draft Minerals Local Plan for Gloucestershire for public consultation.

Having considered all of the information, including known proposals and the reasons for the recommendations, Cabinet noted the report and, 

RESOLVED to: -

Approve the Draft Minerals Local Plan for Gloucestershire, (outlined in Appendix 1 to the Cabinet report), for public consultation.

Cllr Nigel Moor, Cabinet Member for Fire, Planning and Infrastructure, sought approval of the Draft Minerals Local Plan for Gloucestershire to proceed to consultation.

Cllr Moor informed members that, as the local Mineral Planning Authority, (MPA), the County Council had a statutory responsibility for preparing the Local Minerals Development Plan. He stated that the proposed plan aimed to provide the policy framework for making decisions on planning applications for mineral development for Gloucestershire from 2018 to 2032, and bring in line the council’s proposals with the government policy outlined in the National Planning Policy Framework, (NPPF), 2012.

The existing plan, adopted in 2003, is under constant review. The aim of the new plan will be to play an important role in supporting economic growth to the minerals industry, other businesses and local communities in Gloucestershire through to 2032. Key minerals present in Gloucestershire include: sand and gravel, limestone, sandstone, clay, coal and potential oil and gas.

Seeking approval to go to public consultation before progressing to the more formal stages of adoption, (consideration by the Secretary of State and independent examination), the proposed plan includes 10 allocations for possible aggregate working, (sand & gravel or limestone), plus a suite of policies for determining future mineral-related planning applications. The 10 allocations have been published on previous occasions and have reduced from the 18 sites proposed in 2014.

A specific policy relating to oil and gas, including hydraulic fracturing (‘fracking’), was prepared in response to the Government’s decision to issue oil and gas licenses in Gloucestershire, (Policy MW06). There are no formal proposals for hydraulic fracturing at this time.

Cllr Moor believed the draft policy represented a prudent and balanced approach to updating the Minerals Local Plan, given the position of national policy and the potential environmental and amenity issues currently in existence.

Referring to the majority vote taken at the Environment and Communities Scrutiny Committee meeting on 13 July 2016, and the subsequent statement to Cabinet, (statement attached), Cllr Moor informed members that he was aware of the committee’s concerns and the proposal for a re-draft of Policy MW06 in relation to Oil and Gas.

Having sought the advice of officers, Cllr Moor advised members that, for the council to agree to such a proposal would be seen as a rejection of national policy. He explained that, one of the tests for approval of the proposed plan would be to ensure consistency with national policy. To go against government guidance could therefore render the plan ‘unsound’ by the Independent Inspector. Cllr Moor advised that, given such circumstances, the Minerals Local Plan could not be adopted, and would therefore hold very little weight in determining new mineral application proposals. Furthermore, the plan would have no weight at all in respect of matters deemed unsound, placing significant risk to the council when considering applications for hydraulic fracturing.

Cllr Moor announced he was not prepared to embark on a course of action that could result in significant abortive costs to the council. Whilst he respected views contrary to his own, he suggested anyone wishing to oppose proposed policy MW06 should do so by making individual cases to the Inspector. 

Urging cabinet colleagues to adopt the draft minerals plan for consultation before proceeding to the next stage of the adoption process, Cllr Moor assured members that there would be an opportunity for local communities to comment on the proposals. Noting that the proposed start date for the consultation was August, Cllr Moor believed this date should be deferred to the beginning of September to allow town and parish councils more time to meet after the summer recess.

Commenting on the proposals, Cllr Ray Theodoulou, Cabinet Member for Finance and Change, reflected on the impact the plan was likely to have on residents within his division, and requested that an additional drop-in session be arranged in either the Fairford or Lechlade area. Cllr Theodoulou also expressed concern about the impact of heavy goods vehicles, (HGV’s), on local highways, in particular ‘C’ and other minor roads, and suggested that the council, in association with Wiltshire Council, consider options for improving transport routes for the transportation of minerals. Another concern was the possible disturbance of the water table and the potential risk of flooding, for which it was suggested arrangements should be made to test water flows in relevant areas by persons independent to the application process. 

Having considered all of the information, including known proposals and the reasons for the recommendations, Cabinet noted the report and, 

RESOLVED to: -

Approve the Draft Minerals Local Plan for Gloucestershire, (outlined in Appendix 1 to the Cabinet report), for public consultation.