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Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton Minerals and Waste
Local Plan: |
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Borrow Pits
Policy 29: The Mineral Planning Authorities will not permit the extraction of minerals from borrow pits associated with specific major construction projects, unless they are satisfied that:
(i) there is a clearly identified need for the mineral which cannot reasonably and satisfactorily be met from existing mineral supply sources and which outweighs any adverse environmental impact or other detrimental effect that the development would be likely to cause; and
(ii) the material extracted from the borrow pit is only to be used in connection with the specific construction project with which it is associated; and
(iii) either the site is within the 'area of disturbance' created by the construction project or it can be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Mineral Planning Authority that supplying the mineral needs of the construction project from a borrow pit would result in less environmental disturbance and traffic impact and less impact on natural resources than if the mineral were supplied from an existing source or from one of the preferred areas in Policy 19; and
(iv) the routeing of lorries between the borrow pit and the construction project minimises the use of public highways and undue interference with footpaths and bridleways; and
(v) the borrow pit is sited so as to minimise visual and noise intrusion and other environmental disturbance; and
(vi) the development provides for a phased programme of working and restoration, using only materials derived from elsewhere on the construction site, such that the site is restored to a satisfactory landform suitable for an agreed beneficial after-use prior to the completion of the construction project.
5.65 County Structure Plan policy MW11 provides for the extraction of minerals from borrow pits where they are necessary to supply the aggregate needs of major construction projects. However, the Councils are generally opposed to the extraction of minerals from borrow pits. Nevertheless, it is recognised that there are circumstances where the use of borrow pits is the most appropriate way of providing material for specific major construction projects like new roads. This is particularly likely to be the case where: it minimises the number of people, buildings, settlements and public roads affected by the concentration of lorry movements; minimises the distance involved in moving aggregates from the extraction point to the construction project; and where bulk material requirements are met from lower grade mineral resources, without eating into the County's stock of permitted reserves of higher grade sand and gravel. The Councils believe that the provision of aggregates for major construction projects like new roads should be planned as part of the scheme's design. The formulation of proposals and submission of applications for borrow pits at the contract tender stage is considered to be unsatisfactory as it often provides insufficient time for proposals and possible alternatives to be fully evaluated. Notwithstanding this, any proposals that arise will be considered in relation to the criteria in Policy 29. The Mineral Planning Authorities will have regard to the advice contained in DoE Circular 20/87 'Use of Waste Material for Road Fill' (1987) in considering proposals for borrow pits. The County Planning Officers' and County Surveyors' Societies Code of Practice - 'Disposal of Spoil from Major Highway Construction Schemes' (1990) gives guidance on the timing and content of applications for the disposal of surplus waste which is also of relevance to proposals for borrow pits.
5.66 The 'area of disturbance' referred to in Policy 29(iii) comprises the land surrounding a construction project within which there is significant environmental impact by reason of noise, dust, vibration and visual disturbance arising from the construction activities.
