§ 8 Mr. BarnesWhat representations he has recently received concerning opencast mining planning policy in England; and if he will make a statement.[14848]
§ Mr. RaynsfordMy Department has received a large number of representations in response to the consultation paper on opencast mining planning policy, which we issued on 30 July. In the light of responses to that 140 consultation, the Government will decide what changes to policy guidance could and should be implemented in interim planning guidance.
§ Mr. BarnesIs the Minister aware that we have had more than enough opencast mining in north-east Derbyshire, and that we are currently fighting off three proposals—at Avenue Cokeworks, the Breck and junction 29? Would it not help us tremendously if the planning guidance notes contained a presumption against opencast mining—as was promised in the preamble to the 10 points that Labour issued at the general election? Will we be living up to our commitment?
§ Mr. RaynsfordI can assure my hon. Friend that the Government acted very swiftly to give effect to our manifesto commitments and issued a consultation paper on possible changes to mineral planning guidance. We have had 380 responses to that consultation, and consultation in Wales is still not complete. We are therefore analysing carefully the responses before deciding what changes may be appropriate in interim planning guidance. We shall take appropriate action. I assure him that, since the Government have come to power, no further opencast mining applications have been approved.