Minerals - General Principles

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Structure Plan Chapter 3 - Caring for the Environment

3.10 - Minerals - General Principles

3.10.1: A sustainable supply of minerals is essential to a thriving economy and for the construction industry. The Structure Plan area contains minerals of potential economic significance. Currently, coal and aggregates are worked in the area, and there are important resources of coal, sand and gravel and hard rock which could be subject to future development pressure. Within Clackmannanshire there is particular pressure for opencast coal mining.
3.10.2: Mineral extraction can have serious adverse environmental or other impacts upon local communities, although long term environmental benefits can be secured through restoration and aftercare. To work towards Sustainable Development, opportunities for mineral extraction should be exploited only where there are no significant adverse environmental and community impacts or where full mitigation of any identified impacts can be achieved. In all cases, enhancement of the area following extraction will be expected. The Government advises that a hierarchy of policies should be adopted that tailors the degree of protection to the importance of the area.
3.10.3: In considering applications for mineral working it is therefore necessary to enable development in appropriate locations that contribute to the national and local economy, but only where the physical and natural environment can be suitably protected and enhanced. The nature conservation and landscape value of the area can be especially vulnerable to mineral extraction. In addition, a number of general principles over and above those for nature conservation and landscape shape how the Councils will make decisions on minerals applications.

Policy ENV10 - Minerals - General Principles

The following strategic principles will apply to all minerals development:

Economically important mineral resources will be protected from sterilisation by permanent development. Alternatively, working of minerals in advance of development will be encouraged;
Sites should be in close proximity to the strategic transport network and where possible to rail transport;
Cumulative impacts (including impacts on local communities) of proposals will require to be addressed;
Restoration proposals will require to be agreed in advance of operations and to be progressive. Preferred after-uses for all sites will be those incorporating ecological enhancement. Restoration bonds will require to be lodged;
Community and/or environmental benefits or enhancements will be sought if appropriate; and
The recycling of materials will be encouraged to help conserve mineral resources.

See also: SD 1; ENV 1; ENV 2; ENV 3; ENV 4; ENV 5; ENV 7; ENV 8; ENV 9; ENV 10; TP 1