Contact: Richard Read, ext 6727 email:[email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 This is seventh Annual Report on the Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton Minerals and Waste Local Plan. It covers the period 2003/04. It deals with progress on minerals and waste management development and related planning control issues. Copies on the draft report are in the Members' rooms and a summary is attached as an Appendix.

1.2 This report provides a brief commentary on the five principal issues identified in the Annual Report:

(i) Maintenance of monitoring standards relating to the development of mineral and waste sites;

(ii) Development control service performance;

(iii) The `new' planning policy arrangements;

(iv) Meeting the needs for minerals and waste management; and

(v) Planning and E-Government.

2. Site Monitoring Standards

2.1 The site monitoring standard of four visits a year is not being met. Moreover, the introduction of a strategy to remedy this situation has also been delayed. Accordingly the service has relied on a complaint response approach to site monitoring, which is not entirely satisfactory. The principal concern is ensuring proper restoration of quarries and landfill and implementation of agreed environmental gains associated with the permissions for many of these sites. It is intended that a `risk based' inspection strategy be implemented so that important sites are appropriately managed in planning terms. The implementation of this strategy will depend on adequate resources and other work priorities.

3. Development Control Service Performance

3.1 The target set by Government for determining major planning applications, and adopted by the County Council for minerals and waste applications, requires at least 60% of applications to be determined within 13 weeks. The Annual Report identifies that this target was not quite achieved in 2003/2004. However, as the regular reporting to Members has noted, the current year standards have improved considerably. There is every expectation the Government target will be met for 2004/05.

4. The `new' Planning Policy Arrangements

4.1 Under The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 the County Council is required to produce a Minerals and Waste Development Framework jointly with Southampton and Portsmouth City Councils. The Framework will consist of a suite of `Development Documents' - the Development Scheme, the Statement of Community Involvement, the Core Strategy and the Annual Monitoring Report.

4.2 The Annual Monitoring Report will replace the existing Annual Report and is required to be submitted to the Secretary of State. The format will be different to the current Annual Report with more emphasis on the progress of the Development Documents and outcomes from decisions made by the County Council.

5. Meeting the Needs for Minerals and Waste Management

5.1 The reserves of sand and gravel in Hampshire have reduced to below a five years land bank. However, sales of aggregate have gradually declined over recent years. Accordingly, the whole issue of future supply will be reviewed as part of the HMWDF.

5.2 In recent years the landfill capacity within the county has dramatically fallen. In practical terms there are only two major sites left for the disposal of `non-hazardous' waste. This decline in capacity has been somewhat offset by the new Project Integra facilities. The Marchwood and Portsmouth energy recovery plants have been, or are about to be commissioned. The Alton recycling facility is operating and the large composting extension near Basingstoke is being built. However, significant amounts of commercial and industrial waste is being exported to out of county sites. As with minerals, future needs will be considered as part of the HMWDF.

6. Planning and E-Government

6.1 By the end of this year the Government expects electronic service delivery options to be available. Arrangements are well advanced to allow planning applications to be submitted `on-line'. Likewise the public will be able to see details of applications on a `web site' and make comments via an electronic form. This will be the beginning of a range of electronic facilities related to minerals and waste planning that will support Members, the public, interested parties and applicants. Members will be kept informed on the progress of `e-services' for minerals and waste planning.

Recommendation

That the Annual Report be noted.

9249/RR