Thank for you the opportunity to comment on the Nottinghamshire Minerals Local Plan Issues and Options consultation. The following comments are submitted on behalf of Anglian Water.

I would be grateful if you could confirm that you have received this response.

Q24 Are you aware of any issues relating to hydrocarbon extraction that should be considered through the Minerals Local Plan review

Anglian Water is identified as a statutory consultee through Schedule 4 (zf) of the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015 in relation to development involving the boring for or getting of oil and natural gas from shale. Therefore it would be helpful if the Minerals Local Plan referred to early engagement with interested parties including Anglian Water in advance of a planning application(s) relating to hydrocarbon extraction being submitted to Nottinghamshire County Council for its consideration.

Reference is made to the inclusion of a criteria based policy which would ensure that a proposed development would not have an unacceptable impact on the environment. However no further guidance is provided in terms of what would constitute an unacceptable impact in this context.

The policy relating to hydrocarbon extraction should specifically refer to water resources/environment and require applicants to demonstrate that their proposals would not have an adverse impact on potable water sources in the ownership of Anglian Water. This would include providing sufficient technical detail at the planning application stage about how any risks to potable water resources will be addressed.

In addition it would be helpful if the policy referred to applicants demonstrating that there is capacity is available or could be made available within the water supply network and/or foul sewerage network to serve the site.

We would welcome the opportunity to comment further on the wording of the hydrocarbon extraction policy in advance of the publication of the Draft Local Plan.

Q25 Do you agree with the proposed development management policy areas? Are there any others that should be covered?

Reference is made to water resources and flood risk as being a development management policy area proposed for inclusion in the Minerals Local Plan.

It is essential to protect the public water supply sources from any activities that might cause pollution. It is therefore suggested that a policy or policies should be included in the Minerals Local Plan which specifically refers to ensuring that potable water sources in the ownership of Anglian Water in Nottinghamshire are not adversely affected by minerals development.

We would welcome the opportunity to comment further on the wording of relevant development management policies in advance of the publication of the Draft Local Plan.