§ Mr. Masonasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what steps he is taking to ensure that land being used for the stocking of opencast and deep-mined coals conforms to his standards of good planning; and what requirements he makes regarding the restoration of such land when the coal has been lifted.
Dr. Hill:Proposals to use land for stocking coal are subject to development control under the Planning Acts. It is the responsibility of local planning authorities to impose such conditions as they think fit when giving planning permission, including conditions to secure the proper restoration of the land. Advice on conditions, some of which may be appropriate for coal stocking sites, is given in my Department's memorandum on The Control of Mineral Working.
§ Mr. Masonasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs to what extent his Department is consulted on the layout of coal stocking sites, and on the 19W subsequent layout after lifting and clearance of the site.
Dr. Hill:The layout of coal stocking sites, and their restoration for agricultural or other uses afterwards, are primarily matters for the developer and the local planning authority when dealing with applications for planning permission. My Department is thus not normally consulted.
§ Mr. Masonasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what objections he has received from farmers, local authorities, or other bodies, about the planning aspects of the stocking of coal.
Dr. Hill:I have received no objections recently. Since the Town and Country Planning Act, 1947, came into force objections, mostly based on damage to amenity have been made on seven applications which have come before the Minister.