This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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New guidance planned for quarrying
25/09/2003
A review of the planning guidance which sets out the
Executive's policies on the extraction of minerals was
announced today.
The review will lead to new guidance which takes full
account of the impact of quarrying on communities and the
environment.
Mary Mulligan, Deputy Minister for Communities said:
"We want to create a Scotland where everyone has a
decent quality of life. A modern planning system is vital
if we are to improve the economy without compromising the
environment and the lives of local people. The system
must ensure that minerals are extracted without unnecessary
or unacceptable consequences for communities and the
environment. This review is an opportunity for all those
with an interest to work together - and in consultation
with local people - to ensure that we get the framework for
mineral extraction right."
The review of National Planning Policy Guideline 4
(NPPG4) will cover primary and secondary aggregates
(crushed rock, sand and gravel), marine dredged minerals,
coastal superquarries, non-aggregate construction minerals
(clay, limestone, slate), deep mined coal, peat, oil and
gas and specialised or metalliferous minerals. A decision
will be taken on whether opencast coal policies should be
reviewed after ongoing research has reported.
Ms Mulligan continued:
"Research was published last year which showed that
existing policies are generally working well. However,
these policies are nearly ten years old. The time is right
to take a close look at how we plan for minerals in
Scotland. Minerals are clearly an important national
resource but the right framework must be in place so that
extraction is undertaken in a way that is effective and
sustainable."
The main findings from the research were:
NPPG4 continues to be well received as it provides a
useful summary of all relevant mineral planning policy
considerations.
NPPG4 should continue in its present form, setting out
national minerals planning guidance for the purposes of
plan preparation and development control.
The guidance needs to be updated to take account of
post-1994 policy changes, such as the increased emphasis on
sustainable development.
A Stakeholders Group will be set up to review NPPG4 and
will include representation from the public, private and
voluntary sectors. This Group will assist in the
preparation of consultative draft guidance to be issued for
full public consultation.
National Planning Policy Guideline (NPPG) 4: Land for
Mineral Working sets out the considerations that planning
authorities should take into account in development plan
preparation and in determining planning applications for
mineral extraction.
Research undertaken by Land Use Consultants to evaluate
the relevance of NPPG 4 was published in 2002. The
research report made 26 recommendations to the Executive.
The report is available on the Executive's website at w
ww.scotland.gov.uk/library5/environment/rlmw-00.asp
In the next few weeks, the Executive will publish
research on the effectiveness of existing planning guidance
for opencast coal (NPPG16). A decision on whether opencast
policies should also be reviewed will be taken when the
research findings are complete.