2. Overview, Vision and Strategic Objectives

Overview of the Plan Area

2.2. Planning effectively for the future means having a good understanding of our current situation and what is likely to change. It is important to take account of environmental assets including our countryside, wildlife and heritage, as well as the quality of life and well-being of our communities.

2.2. Nottinghamshire is well known for its historic past, linked to tales of Robin Hood and its industrial heritage based on textiles and coal, but it also has an ambitious future with a growing population of over one million people and a diverse and expanding economy.

2.3. Nottinghamshire is part of the East Midlands, but also shares a boundary with South Yorkshire. Northern parts of Nottinghamshire therefore have significant employment, housing and business links with Sheffield, and the metropolitan areas of Barnsley, Rotherham and Doncaster. The more urbanised west of the County is also closely linked to neighbouring Derbyshire, with more rural eastern parts of the county having a similar character to neighbouring parts of Lincolnshire. In the south, Nottingham is a major regional centre with close physical links to the neighbouring cities of Derby and Leicester. Consequently, there is a significant overlap of housing areas; business and employment between these three cities (see Plan 1 below).

Population

2.4. Nottinghamshire has a population of over 800,000 residents. Around two thirds of the County's population live in the south of the county, or close to Nottingham. Most of the remainder live in, or close to, the other main towns of Mansfield, Kirkby-in-Ashfield, Sutton-in-Ashfield, Hucknall, Worksop, Newark and Retford. Up to 60,000 new homes are planned across Nottinghamshire over the next 10 -15 years. Although outside the plan area, significant housing and infrastructure growth is also expected in Nottingham which could affect surrounding areas.

Transport and Communications

2.5. Road and rail links to the rest of the UK are generally good, especially via the main north-south routes of the M1, A1, A46 and direct rail links to London from Retford, Newark and Nottingham. Passenger rail links between Nottinghamshire and London are set to improve with the planned introduction of the High Speed 2 (HS2) rail link. Road links to the M1 have been enhanced with the widening of the A453 into Nottingham.

2.6. Most freight, including minerals, is currently moved by road rather than rail although there is some use of the County's network of rivers and canals for transport. The River Trent, especially, is a major waterway flowing from Nottingham to Newark and then northwards to the Humber, forming part of the County's eastern boundary.

2.7. Although just outside the County, both East Midlands Airport at Castle Donnington and Robin Hood Airport near Doncaster provide national and international passenger and freight services.

Employment, Economy and Resources

2.8. This connectivity makes the County an important centre for warehousing, distribution, and other service-based industries, which are replacing the more traditional industries of coal-mining, textiles and manufacturing, especially around Mansfield, Worksop and Newark.

2.9. Here, the legacy of former coal mining and heavy industry has left a surplus of derelict land and opportunities for enterprise and redevelopment. Nottingham and its surrounds also provide a major centre for technology, financial, knowledge and science-based industries. Away from the main urban areas, agriculture and forestry are no longer major employers but still make up much of the County's rural landscape, particularly to the south and east. Minerals and energy production are important in parts of the County, especially sand and gravel extraction from the Trent and Idle Valleys and the four major power stations along the River Trent.

2.10. Nottinghamshire's economy generally compares well to the rest of the UK, with key urban areas expected to be the focus of significant housing and commercial development in future. However, there are also wide inequalities in the rates of employment, income, education and skills across the County, most notably in former mining areas.

Green Belt

2.11. In Nottinghamshire the Green Belt covers land around Greater Nottingham, Nottingham City and rural village areas. It covers more than 43,000 ha and exists to prevent towns from merging, limit urban sprawl and to safeguard the countryside (see Plan 1 below). National policy states that minerals extraction is not inappropriate in the green belt provided the openness of the green belt is preserved and where it would not conflict with the purposes of including land in the green belt.

Landscape and Countryside

2.12. The County's landscape is characterised by rich rolling farmlands to the south, with a central belt of mixed woodland and commercial forestry, giving way to heathland in the north and open, flat agricultural landscapes to the east. Although agriculture is a relatively small industry today, large parts of the County are made up of good quality agricultural land with the highest quality (Grade 1) being concentrated in the northern part of the County. The six country parks around Nottinghamshire provide valuable areas of open space.

Nature

2.13. Nottinghamshire supports a wide range of important sites for nature conservation, including a Special Area of Conservation within Sherwood Forest, near Edwinstowe, that is of international importance. A large part of central Nottinghamshire is also being considered as a possible potential Special Protection Area for birds which would provide protection at the international level under European regulations. The quality of Nottinghamshire's natural environment has suffered in the past from the impacts of development and there has been a significant decline in biodiversity, with losses of ancient woodland, heathland, species-rich grassland, hedgerow and wetland habitats, as well as the species that these habitats support. Despite this decline, there remains a network of important SSSIs and Local Wildlife Sites across the county, representing a wide range of habitats found on the varying geology of the county. Some of these historic declines are now being halted, and in some cases reversed, with neglected sites brought into positive management and new areas of habitat created as a result of the activities of partner organisations in the Nottinghamshire Biodiversity Action Group, by initiatives such as Environmental Stewardship and the English Woodland Grant Scheme, and as a result of restoration schemes. This action is being co-ordinated and quantified through the Nottinghamshire Local Biodiversity Action Plan.

Heritage

2.14. Nottinghamshire's heritage is very diverse. Creswell Crags on the Nottinghamshire-Derbyshire boundary has the most northerly Ice Age cave art in the world. The historic landscape of the Trent Valley is an important area for archaeological remains of prehistoric settlement. There is important evidence of Roman field patterns in the north of the County and the modern day A1 and A46 follow the line of old Roman routes. Evidence of Viking influence is apparent in many of the County's place names. Sherwood Forest boasts a unique heritage of folklore, monasticism and large country house estates (the Dukeries). The County has a fine collection of historic market towns including Worksop, Newark, Retford, Mansfield and Southwell. They are all rich in architectural and archaeological heritage. The Rivers Trent and Idle, which historically provided important cultural and trade links and the focus of many of our early settlements, are still relied on today by industry, agriculture and the County's power stations.

2.15. For hundreds of year's coal mining and other quarrying was very significant in the west of the County. Nottingham's industrial past was dominated by the textile industry throughout the 18th, 19th into the 20th centuries and has left a rich built heritage. The majority of Nottinghamshire's conservation areas, listed buildings, historic parks, and Scheduled Ancient Monuments are in good condition, but a proportion (around 10%) are in a vulnerable condition or situation.

Water, Soil and Air

2.16. Much of Nottinghamshire is underlain by important groundwater resources (principal and secondary aquifers) used for industry, agriculture and drinking water. The Rivers Trent and Idle also provide important surface water resources. Whilst water quality is good overall, there are problems with the level of nitrates in the soil in large parts of the County which can in turn affect water quality. The whole of north Nottinghamshire is therefore designated as a nitrate vulnerable zone.

2.17. Flood risk varies across the County and, although there are several areas at risk of localised surface flooding, the main risk comes from the River Trent, especially around Nottingham and Newark and in some of the outlying villages.

2.18. Air quality is generally good across the County but several Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) have been designated around Nottinghamshire because of known traffic and congestion problems.

Health

2.19. Overall health indicators are slightly lower than both the regional and national average although life expectancy has recently grown closer to the national average. There are also wide variations in life expectancy with a twelve-year gap in average life expectancy between the least and most deprived wards. In some areas low levels of income, and high levels of unemployment and stress, are seen as having a significant impact on health and wellbeing. The main urban areas of Mansfield and Ashfield are worst affected, whilst more rural, affluent areas within Rushcliffe and Gedling generally fare far better in line with national trends. Obesity, amongst both children and adults is also a concern.

Climate

2.20. Parts of Nottinghamshire have already experienced more frequent and heavier flooding previously and, overall, this pattern is expected to continue. In common with the rest of the UK there is also an increased likelihood of higher average temperatures, drier summers, wetter winters and more frequent and extreme storms.

Plan 1: Overview of the Plan area

Nottinghamshire's mineral resource and industry

2.21. Nottinghamshire is rich in minerals and most widely known for its coal mining industry which has had a major impact on the social and economic development and environment of many parts of the County. The legacy of the coal industry is still very evident; the most visible reminders are the large spoil tips, many of which have been restored but some still present environmental issues. Most former colliery sites have now been redeveloped to provide new employment opportunities for communities that were hit hard with the closure of collieries.

2.22. Today, sand and gravel is the biggest extractive industry in the County. Most quarries work the river deposits found in the Trent and Idle valleys, although Sherwood Sandstone is also exploited. This activity has transformed large areas of the Trent and Idle Valleys into wetlands and in doing so has changed the landscape character of the area. Some former workings are now used for sports and recreation and others have become important wildlife habitats. As the County has suffered from a loss of habitats, sand and gravel restoration schemes have had a very significant role in redressing the balance.

2.23. Gypsum is another major minerals industry in Nottinghamshire, and has been extensively mined in the south of the County and quarried between Newark and Kilvington. The associated plasterboard and plaster works that these mineral operations support are important local employers although few are actually directly employed in the extractive process itself.

2.24. Other minerals worked are brick clay, silica sand, building stone, aggregate limestone, and oil. Some of these minerals also support locally important associated industries such as brick works.

2.25. Building stone was worked much more extensively in the past and has contributed towards the traditional character of many villages and historic buildings. Today extraction is limited to just one small quarry.

2.26. Nottinghamshire has potential mineral resources that have not been exploited but which could be in the future. This includes industrial dolomite found in a small area in the north west of the County and potential shale gas resources which are thought to exist in the north and the south of the County. Plan 2 illustrates the geological resource of Nottinghamshire.

2.27. Nottinghamshire has traditionally supplied large amounts of sand and gravel to neighbouring authorities. This is due both to the high-quality of the sand and gravel found in the county and a shortage of suitable mineral in other areas, particularly in the Rotherham and Doncaster areas. The trend is likely to continue in future although resource depletion in the Idle Valley (in the north of the county) could reduce the amount exported to Rotherham and Doncaster in the longer term.

2.28. Aggregate limestone (crushed rock) resources are relatively limited in the county and this combined with the large reserves found in Derbyshire and Leicestershire has resulted in the majority of limestone consumed being imported from the two adjoining authorities.

2.29. This flow of aggregate minerals both in and out of the county provides the opportunity to work with other Mineral Planning Authorities to manage these movements and minimise the environmental impacts of the extraction.

Plan 2: Nottinghamshire's mineral resources

(5) Vision

2.30. The vision for managing minerals seeks to address the issues facing the Plan Area and take into account the views of local communities and other stakeholders as well as supporting the delivery of national planning policies. The broad aims are then developed in more detail in the Strategic Objectives, the policies, and the Implementation section.

(4) Strategic Objectives

2.31. The following objectives have been identified as central to achieving the delivery of the spatial vision for future Minerals development in Nottinghamshire:

SO1: Improving the sustainability of minerals development

Ensure more efficient exploitation and use of primary mineral resources by minimising waste, increasing levels of aggregate recycling and the use of alternatives from secondary and recycled sources. Secure a spatial pattern of mineral development that efficiently delivers resources to markets within and outside Nottinghamshire. Prioritise the improved use or extension of existing sites before considering new locations. Make use of sustainable modes of transport.

SO2: Providing an adequate supply of minerals

Assist in creating a prosperous, environmentally sustainable and economically vibrant County through an adequate supply of all minerals to assist in economic growth both locally and nationally. Provide sufficient land to enable a steady and adequate supply of minerals over the plan period.

SO3: Addressing climate change

Minimise and mitigate the impact of mineral developments on climate change by encouraging efficient ways of working including reductions in transport and onsite machinery emissions. Reduce existing and future flood risks linked to, and aid in adaptation to, climate change through good quarry design and operation, water management, location of plant and appropriate restoration, particularly for quarries in the Trent Valley flood plain. Contribute to climate change adaptation by relinking fragmented habitats and creating new areas of habitat to allow the migration and dispersal of species.

SO4: Safeguarding of mineral resources and associated minerals infrastructure

Protect the County's potential mineral resources of economic importance and associated minerals infrastructure from development which would prevent or hinder their future use.

SO5: Minimising impacts on communities

Minimise the adverse impacts on Nottinghamshire's communities by protecting their quality of life and health from impacts such as traffic, visual impact, dust, water resources etc. Make sure that local people have the opportunity to be involved in decisions about new mineral developments by providing information, encouraging wider involvement and targeting key groups or individuals where appropriate. Protect and enhance rights of way and access to open space.

SO6: Protecting and enhancing natural assets

Conserve and enhance Nottinghamshire's natural environment including its distinctive landscapes, habitats, geology, wildlife species and ecological health of water bodies by avoiding, minimising and mitigating potential negative impacts.

Maximise net biodiversity gain by enhancing and re-connecting existing habitat and creating new habitat through a landscape-scale approach. Support minerals development that provides long term enhancements to landscape character and avoids damaging the highest quality landscapes.

SO7: Protecting and enhancing historic assets

Protect and where appropriate enhance Nottinghamshire's distinct historic environment. Ensure designated and non-designated heritage assets and their settings are adequately protected and where appropriate enhanced. Recognise the important role of locally sourced building stone in the repair of heritage assets and in maintaining local distinctiveness.

SO8: Protecting agricultural soils

Support minerals developments that will safeguard the long-term potential of best and most versatile agricultural soils.

(1) Key Diagram

2.32. The components of the spatial strategy are illustrated on the Key Diagram below (Plan 3). It shows the main supply sources for aggregates and the principal constraints.

2.33. The Key Diagram is intended to be a diagrammatic interpretation of the Spatial Strategy set out in this document and is not intended to portray any specific site activity or proposal with spatial accuracy.

2.34. The remaining sections of the Plan develop the Spatial Strategy's principles and objectives. Specific details relating to the policies are shown on the Policies Map.

Plan 3: Key Diagram.