Comment

Representation ID: 22260

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: The Wildlife Trust for Birmingham and the Black Country

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Comment: WTBBC are of the view that this point should more strongly support minerals sites restoration plans which deliver significant environmental and social benefits. Existing and proposed mineral extraction sites are located within the Walsall green belt. The Draft Black Country Local Nature Recovery Strategy identifies Core Landscapes in the Walsall green belt where the restoration and expansion of heathland is a priority. Natural England have similarly identified this area as part of their Midlands Heathland Heartland initiative. Policy MIN4 should therefore require mineral sites restoration plans to provide the creation of suitable heathland habitats as identified in the Draft LNRS.