Policy MIN4 - Managing the Effects of Mineral Development

Comment

Representation ID: 15516

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: Natural England

Policy MIN4 - Managing the Effects of Mineral Development

We would strongly advise that paragraph 6 is made more robust to ensure that restoration maximises
natural capital and ecosystem services provision to: local people, by providing better facilities for public rights of way users and access to nature in general, and wildlife, by linking in with the Nature Recovery Network, existing green infrastructure and the opportunities identified on the Black Country Local Nature Recovery Opportunity Map (draft April 2021) (18 Appendix -Nature Recovery Network – page
723). Restoration proposals should aim to create high quality priority wildlife habitats. Restoration should include provision for appropriate aftercare of the site, especially where priority habitat has been
created.

We would advise some additional wording (highlighted in bold) to 9)b) “effects on natural (existing and potential components of ecological networks), built, and historic (including archaeological) environments and on public health;”

Comment

Representation ID: 22260

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: The Wildlife Trust for Birmingham and the Black Country

6
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.

Comment

Representation ID: 23095

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: Canal & River Trust

Policy MIN4 (9) lists a number of criteria that will be considered for minerals proposals and MIN4 (10) gives the impression that these are the only criteria to be used. However, the list in point 9 does not fully do justice to the requirements of policies set out elsewhere in the plan. For the avoidance of doubt, policy MIN4 or the supporting text should state that minerals proposals will also need to comply with the requirements of relevant policies in other chapters of the plan (including policy ENV7).

Comment

Representation ID: 23537

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: Historic England

Our preferred approach is for the allocation of appropriate minerals sites that are accompanied by site specific policies that detail the relevant considerations per site and any avoidance and mitigation measures based on heritage impact assessment information. Each proposed site allocation should then be accompanied with detail relating to specific and appropriate restoration principles on a site by site basis. We consider clause 9b to be insufficient.

Comment

Representation ID: 44911

Received: 10/10/2021

Respondent: Cannock Chase Council

Consideration could be given to the restoration schemes assisting in the delivery of
wider strategic objectives such as the nature recovery network.