Meeting documents

Prior to consideration by Cabinet on 18 October 2017, to consider a report by the Corporate Director for Environment and Economy.

The Committee considered a report by the Service Director – Economy to recommend that Cabinet agree to the publication, consultation and submission - to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government - of the Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole Mineral Sites Plan and Waste Plan, together with the necessary associated amendment of the Minerals and Waste Development Scheme milestones. This agreement would form part of the overall agreement necessary from all three constituent authorities. The plans had been progressed in accordance with the Minerals and Waste Development Schemewhich set out key stages of plan preparation so that stakeholders were aware of when these were likely to occur.

In addition, the report sought Cabinet’s endorsement of a key evidence document -Residual Waste Management in the South West - which provided evidence of engagement by between Waste Planning Authorities across the South West in accordance with the statutory duty to cooperate.

As part of the recommendation, agreement was also being sought for authority to be delegated to officers to be able to make modifications throughout the Plans’ examination process so that it was able to be managed as effectively and practicably as possible.

With the aid of a visual presentation, the Committee were informed about the processes necessary for the development and delivery of both Plans and what these entailed, in that:-

·           The Waste Plan would establish the vision, objectives and spatial strategy for the development of waste management facilities in Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole up until 2033, including specific sites.

·           The Mineral Sites Plan would identify specific sites and areas for mineral development needed to deliver the adopted Minerals Strategy which was adopted in May 2014.

What waste management facilities were proposed and why these were necessary was explained in detail by officers, including where these were to be situated; what needs these would meet and how this would be done.  Similarly, proposals for the extraction of minerals – aggregates, clays and building stone - was detailed for members understanding, including what the process entailed; the means by which it would be achieved; the need for the minerals; where the sites were; how and why they had been chosen; and why there was a need for a ‘landbank’ of minerals to be maintained; and how the winning and working of minerals could be best managed. 

Subject to the agreement of Cabinet and the relevant committees for Bournemouth and Poole, it was anticipated that consultation would begin during early December 2017 and last for a minimum of eight weeks. How the consultation would be conducted and the arrangements for this was explained by officers and detailed in their report.

The Committee heard from Mr Len Mann who expressed concern at the inclusion of a particular site, at Gallows Gore (PK-21) identified within the Minerals Plan for future extraction. He considered that this would adversely impact the visual amenity of the area, given that it was within the Dorset AONB, could adversely affect the quality of the water supply in the adjoining reservoirs and would undoubtedly be detrimental to the amenity of the properties in the vicinity of the proposed site.

Whilst he recognised the need for Purbeck Stone extraction, he considered that, in these circumstances, re-consideration should be given what adverse impact this would have on the local properties and potentially blighting the prospects of their future value, especially given that, in his view, what was able to be extracted was limited in scope. Accordingly he asked that consideration be given to the removal of PK-21 from the Draft Plan.

The Chairman thanked Mr Mann for his observations and ensured that these would be made known to the Cabinet.

Members were then provided with the an opportunity to ask questions of the officer’s presentation, to which clarification was provided in respect of certain points raised. Officers clarified what relationship there was between these two plans and district local plans and what bearing these had on each other.  Likewise, the means by which minerals were transported from source was raised and how this could be better managed with the improved use of rail infrastructure, where practicable. Members recognised the benefits of this, especially given the limitations of the highway network in the face of ever increasing transportation needs and hoped that this could be encouraged if at all possible. 

The Committee acknowledged what both plans were designed to achieve: in meeting the mineral and waste needs within Dorset and in providing an equitable means of doing this. Having taken into account the officer’s report and presentation, what they had heard at the meeting and having had an opportunity to assess the Plans before them and comment on these as they considered necessary, the Committee considered that a recommendation should be made to Cabinet on the basis of the proposals set out in the Service Director’s report - and in taking into account the views raised at the meeting - so as to ensure that minerals and waste could be planned and managed in a deliverable and sustainable way for the long term. 

Recommended

That the Cabinet be asked to:

1.            agree to the publication of the Waste Plan and Mineral Sites Plan, subject to any amendments arising from the three Authorities, as the most up-to-date expressions of policy on behalf of the Minerals and Waste Planning Authorities, to be followed by an eight week consultation, anticipated to begin in early December 2017;

2.            note and acknowledge the comments made to the additional consultation on waste site options in Blandford and Purbeck (2017) and officer responses/ recommendations (referred to in Appendix A of the Service Director’s report);

3.            agree that the published version of the plans can be submitted to the Secretary of State, alongside any representations that are received on the plans, following the consultation, to begin the examination process;

4.            authorise officers to make minor amendments, factual updates and editorial changes to both plans prior to submission and during the examination;

5.            delegate authority to the Service Director for Economy, after consultation with the lead Cabinet Member for the Natural and Built Environment, to agree any  main (non-minor) modifications arising during the plan’s examination and to consult upon these in accordance with the Local Plan Regulations;

6.            delegate authority to the Service Director for Economy, after consultation with the lead Cabinet Member for the Natural and Built Environment, to confirm the Local Development Scheme milestones to take account of any changes needed to reflect programming arrangements; and,

7.            endorse the South West Technical Advisory Board’s ‘Residual Waste Management in the South West’ as a useful evidence base that supports the duty to co-operate.

Reason for Recommendations

To progress the preparation of local plans in the Minerals and Waste Development Scheme; and,

To support the Corporate Plan focus of enabling economic growth, in particular:

·      work together with our partners to plan for business growth and maximise funding and investment

·      work in partnership to ensure the good management of our natural and historic environment promote waste reduction, increase recycling rates and manage residual waste effectively.