Archived decisions

Introduction

A number of new minerals and waste sites will be required to meet the requirements of the `core' Strategy. Site identification will inevitably give rise to be controversial issues locally. An outline of the proposed approach is included in the Strategy but a more detailed version will need to be finalised before work begins on the site identification process.

Sites to meet the requirements of the Strategy will be included within two site allocation documents - the Hampshire Minerals Plan and Hampshire Waste Management Plans - being prepared jointly by the County Council, Portsmouth and Southampton City Councils and the New Forest National Park Authority, as part of the overall local development framework.

Methodology

The methodology will be used to identify specific sites for minerals and waste uses that are large-scale, strategic, specialist and potentially controversial, eg landfills, quarries, treatment plants, etc. It will also identify generic sites, such as employment land or agricultural buildings, which would be suitable for smaller, less controversial uses.

A review of all existing sites, including 'time-limited' recycling and composting permissions, operational minerals and waste sites, wharves and rail depots, will also be carried out. This review will consider suitability for expansion of capacity, permanency of operation and future safeguarding.

A four stage methodology is proposed:

Stage 1 - Preparation

Develop a long-list of potential sites, through inviting the minerals and waste industry, landowners, local authorities and stakeholders to identify and nominate potential sites. Agree the appraisal method and factors to be considered when evaluating sites.

Stage 2 - Issues and Options

A two-step appraisal process to both eliminate unsuitable sites and identify potential sites for further assessment.

Step 1: desktop study to evaluate potential sites and determine potential uses of these sites. Sites will be compared to a series of factors, which include both negative constraints and positive opportunities.

Step 2: eliminate sites affected by primary constraints or with unacceptable cumulative impacts. Remaining sites to form a short-list of potential sites.

After this step, a limited `Issues and Options' consultation will be carried out to gain initial feedback on the suitability of the process and the decisions made.

Stage 3 - Preferred Options

This is a three step process, taking into account feedback from the previous stage.

Step 3: carry out site inspections to confirm the findings of the desktop study at Stage 2.

Step 4: collate the results of the evaluation and prioritise the sites to (as far as possible) balance the outcome of evaluation with the requirements of the Strategy, and national and regional policy. If there are insufficient sites available at this stage it will be necessary to go back and reconsider some of the sites discarded at Step 2.

Step 5: informally present the findings to statutory consultees and a 'sounding board' of interested stakeholders and consider the feedback received.

This will be followed by a `Preferred Option' formal consultation for the Minerals and Waste Management Sites Plans, the target date for which is October 2006.

Stage 4 - Submission

This is the final stage and includes:

(i) considering feedback from the final stage and the Inspector's binding report on the Strategy and amending/revising the process and outcomes accordingly;

(ii) drafting the Hampshire Minerals and Waste Management Plans;

(iii) completing a Sustainability Report, including consideration of cumulative impacts, reviewing the sustainability of the proposals; and

(iv) subject to Members' approval, the Hampshire Minerals and Waste Management Plans will then be submitted to the First Secretary of State in October 2007.

Factors for Evaluation

The following are the evaluative factors, as referred to in Step 1 of Stage 2, that will be used to assess and consider the proposed sites:

* These evaluation factors include consideration of international, national and locally designated sites, including the New Forest National Park.

Contact: Jeremy Smith, ext 6730

email: [email protected]

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