MP7: Gypsum Provision
Object
Nottinghamshire Minerals Local Plan Publication Version
Representation ID: 98
Received: 11/10/2019
Respondent: Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust
Legally compliant? No
Sound? No
Duty to co-operate? Yes
NWT do not consider this policy to be sound because of the inherent contradiction between the Plan-led approach whilst simultaneously making specific provision for development on non-allocated sites within Policy MP7. If the plan-making process has been robust and based on good data, then there should be no need for development on non-allocated sites. A robust plan review progress at fixed intervals may identify the need to bring new sites forward for further allocations in a proper manner, where the need has changed, in which case they can be compared to other potential sites in a rigorous way. It is not a rigorous process for a single operator’s proposal to be brought forward at a particular point in time, and therefore not be subject to a proper comparative test against others prospective sites, including an SA.
By undermining the plan-led approach, it is possible that this policy could inadvertently breach the requirements of the NPPF and so may not be legally compliant.
In addition, NWT object to this Policy because we do not agree MP7c Bantycock Quarry South should be allocated as currently shown on the Plan, as the proposed site boundary includes an LWS and another lies immediately adjacent, which could be subject to damaging indirect impacts. This is recognised in the SA and is a significant reason for the -7, -1 score. Were the LWS to be removed from the proposed site allocation and the boundary moved further away from the adjacent LWS, then NWT could support this allocation.
See attachments
Support
Nottinghamshire Minerals Local Plan Publication Version
Representation ID: 157
Received: 10/10/2019
Respondent: Newark & Sherwood District Council
The Council is also supportive of this approach in relation to the expansion of gypsum workings to the south of Newark.
Nottinghamshire Minerals Local Plan – Publication Version
The District Council considered the Nottinghamshire Minerals Local Plan at the Economic Development Committee on the 11th October 2019 and agreed the response contained within this letter.
The District Council welcomes the publication of the Nottinghamshire Minerals Local Plan which provides a long term sustainable plan to deliver the necessary minerals to support new development in the County.
The Council is supportive of the strategic approach that the County Council has set out in the Plan in particular the approach to calculating minerals provision. The Council is also supportive of the Biodiversity – Led approach to restoration of minerals workings and the policies ensuring that minerals extraction addresses the impact of climate change and protects residents from unnecessary traffic movements.
The Council is supportive of the approach which allows for the expansion of existing sand and gravel quarries in the District rather than the development of new ones, this is a more sustainable approach and means that existing strategies for mitigating the impact of the minerals workings can be maintained. The Council is also supportive of this approach in relation to the expansion of gypsum workings to the south of Newark.
Support
Nottinghamshire Minerals Local Plan Publication Version
Representation ID: 221
Received: 11/10/2019
Respondent: British Gypsum
In relation to the Minerals Local Plan Publication Version consultation document, we would like to make the following comments:
1) Policy MP7: Gypsum Provision
We are supportive of the approach that has been taken for future gypsum provision in terms of:
a) A southern extension to the existing quarry has been proposed for allocation (MP7c)
A southern extension of Bantycock Quarry is required for a continued supply of high purity gypsum for high value speciality products made by Saint-Gobain Formula at its Jericho Works. Bantycock gypsum is also an essential raw material for British Gypsum’s manufacturing sites in Nottinghamshire (East Leake), Leicestershire (Barrow) and Staffordshire (Fauld).
b) A criteria based policy is also proposed, which is supportive of proposals for gypsum extraction outside the permitted sites (Marblaegis Mine and Bantycock Quarry), where a need can be demonstrated.
Nottinghamshire and the East Midlands is an important centre for the manufacture of gypsum plaster and plasterboard products for use in construction products. Given the importance of the Industry, it is considered that a broad area of search for gypsum for use in construction products is needed.
The options for identifying gypsum deposits in the UK are limited and Nottinghamshire is one of the counties in which it may be possible to identify and develop gypsum mining / quarrying operations that could supply the UK construction product market.
2) Page 68 – paragraph 4.73
This paragraph states that permitted reserves at Marblaegis Mine are sufficient until at least 2026.
Planning permission has been granted to extend the life of the mine until February 2042 (see application no. 8/16/01430/CMA).
In relation to the Minerals Local Plan Publication Version consultation document, we would like to make the following comments:
1) Policy MP7: Gypsum Provision
We are supportive of the approach that has been taken for future gypsum provision in terms of:
a) A southern extension to the existing quarry has been proposed for allocation (MP7c)
A southern extension of Bantycock Quarry is required for a continued supply of high purity gypsum for high value speciality products made by Saint-Gobain Formula at its Jericho Works. Bantycock gypsum is also an essential raw material for British Gypsum’s manufacturing sites in Nottinghamshire (East Leake), Leicestershire (Barrow) and Staffordshire (Fauld).
b) A criteria based policy is also proposed, which is supportive of proposals for gypsum extraction outside the permitted sites (Marblaegis Mine and Bantycock Quarry), where a need can be demonstrated.
Nottinghamshire and the East Midlands is an important centre for the manufacture of gypsum plaster and plasterboard products for use in construction products. Given the importance of the Industry, it is considered that a broad area of search for gypsum for use in construction products is needed.
The options for identifying gypsum deposits in the UK are limited and Nottinghamshire is one of the counties in which it may be possible to identify and develop gypsum mining / quarrying operations that could supply the UK construction product market.
2) Page 68 – paragraph 4.73
This paragraph states that permitted reserves at Marblaegis Mine are sufficient until at least 2026.
Planning permission has been granted to extend the life of the mine until February 2042 (see application no. 8/16/01430/CMA).