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DRAFT SCOTTISH PLANNING POLICY 16: OPENCAST COAL - DIGEST OF RESPONSES TO CONSULTATION EXERCISE
PART I: GENERAL RESPONSES
Around 220 respondents, most of them employed within the industry, raised concerns about the likely impact of a "presumption against" in Scotland. Comparisons were made with the situation in England and it was felt that a similar approach would lead to the loss of jobs in Scotland, both within the industry and with associated suppliers. This would impact on families and local communities. Many commented that the industry provides much needed employment in areas where there were few alternatives; that there were benefits in coal being sourced locally and that it is for the planning system to provide a framework for the industry to operate. Most of these responses were made using proforma letters, examples of which are given at www.scotland.gov.uk/library5/planning/spp16cr-00.asp.
Responses were received from seven individuals living in, or close to, coalfield communities. Five of them supported the proposed policies in draft SPP 16 and considered them suitable for adoption and hoped that the guidance would be rigorously applied to all forthcoming applications. Another was concerned about the impact of opencasting on quality of life, amenity and wildlife. Another believed that repeat applications should not be permitted; financial guarantees should be compulsory; and that agreements between operators and local residents should either be prohibited or subject to public scrutiny.
Falkirk Council: Supports the proposed provisions and agrees with the comments of the Scottish Society of Directors of Planning's Mineral and Waste Group.
Karen Gillon MSP: Content with the SPP (but see specific comments on paragraph 8) and believes SPP will rightly strike the balance between economic considerations, energy needs, impact on the local community and environmental justice.
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