HL Deb 28 January 1998 vol 585 cc49-50WA
Lord Hogg of Cumbernauld

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is their policy in relation to green belt areas where local authorities receive or approve planning applications for opencast mining. [HL6]

Lord Sewel

Where planning authorities receive applications for opencast mining within designated green belt it falls to them, in the first instance, to consider such applications against the development plan and all other material planning considerations, including the Government's policy for the protection of green belt areas. Planning authorities are, also, required to notify the Secretary of State where they propose to grant permission for certain types of development, for example where they consider the development is a significant departure from the approved structure plan or affects a site of special scientific interest or certain classes of agricultural land, although there is no separate notification requirement for mineral workings in green belt areas. My right honourable friend can then consider whether or not to call in the application for his own determination.

Broadly similar planning policy and procedures apply in England and Wales.