In this chapter

• Introduction to development management policy
• Housing
• Climate change
• Nature and ecosystem services
• Green Belt
• Jobs and economy
• Healthy, vibrant and inclusive communities
• Heritage and design
• Sustainable transport
• Pollution, contamination and safety
• Minerals and waste
  • Policy MIN/M: Strategic approach to minerals
  • Policy MIN/MSA: Mineral safeguarding areas
  • Policy MIN/MA: Mineral allocations
  • Policy MIN/RF: Aggregate recycling facilities
  • Policy MIN/WW: Winning and working of minerals
  • Policy MIN/MD: Minerals development: environmental enhancement through restoration
  • Policy MIN/HC: Conventional and unconventional hydrocarbons
• Waste
• Infrastructure

Policy MIN/MD: Minerals development: environmental enhancement through restoration

About this page

How this part of the Local Plan Options Document works

These Development Management policy option pages contain the following sections:

Policy background

• Relevant national policy or regulations
• National or regional trends
• Local situation and needs/li>
• How we have dealt with this issue in the past
• The thinking behind the policy

Policy options for the new Local Plan

We may suggest a variety of approaches:

• Keeping existing policy as it is
• Making small changes
• Replacing the policy with something that is substantially different
• Identifying factors or events which may affect this policy in the future

Policy option analysis

• A list of the advantages and disadvantages that we have identified for each of the policy options we are presenting.

More on this topic

View the Minerals and Waste Topic Paper and Minerals Planning Policy Advice Evidence Base for in-depth focus about this topic, and the evidence which informs our policy. Visit our library of Local Plan Options supporting documents to learn more.

Explore the policy

Select a section below to read more.

Policy background

9.492 The NPPF states that planning policies should ensure that worked land is reclaimed at the earliest opportunity, and that high quality restoration and aftercare of mineral sites takes place (para 210 h). The Ecological Emergency Action Plan and Green Infrastructure Strategy together with requirements for Biodiversity Net Gain reinforce the need to address this issue.

Policy options for the new Local Plan

9.493 A new policy is proposed which aims to ensure that minerals developments is supported by reclamation and restoration proposals that prioritise environmental enhancement seeking positive improvements and a net gain in biodiversity. This will align with the adopted and proposed policy on Biodiversity Net Gain, the WECA Local Nature Recovery Network and Joint Green Infrastructure Strategy.

Option A

New policy to ensure that minerals developments is supported by the phased restoration and aftercare of the site in order to ensure an appropriate and beneficial re-use, including recreational, leisure and other related uses that have a wider public benefit. Restoration proposals should improve the environment, with particular regard to the quality of soil, water, biodiversity and geodiversity, as well as flood risk, climate change, land stability and landscape character.

Advantages of Option A

This policy reinforces the need for phased restoration of sites and environmental benefits and aligns with the Climate and Ecological Emergency, West of England Combined Authority Local Nature Recovery Network and Joint Green Infrastructure Strategy. It also ensures mineral sites are subject to the Biodiversity Net Gain policy framework.

Disadvantages of Option A

None identified.