HC Deb 30 April 2002 vol 384 cc678-9W
Mrs. May

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) which organisations were consulted on the decision to change the policy on mineral working in the Peak District National Park in the Regional Planning Guidance for the east midlands (RPG8); [52603]

(2) if he will define the exceptional circumstance set out in MPG6 for permission for mineral working as it applies to the Peak district; [52605]

(3) if he will list the criteria against which decisions to permit mineral working in the Peak district will be taken; [52604]

(4) on what date it was decided that the policy on mineral working in the Peak district national park set out in the Regional Planning Guidance for the east midlands (RPG8) should be changed; and when the public consultation period on the Regional Planning Guidance closed. [52602]

Mr. Byers

[holding answer 26 April 2002]: Regional Planning Guidance for the east midlands was published on 24 January 2002, following consultation that ended on 15 June 2001. The final wording was intended to be more concise than earlier versions but did not change national planning policy guidance as it applies to mineral development in the Peak district. Thus paragraphs 70 and 71 of Minerals Planning Guidance Note 6 advise that major developments should not take place in national parks, such as the Peak district, save in exceptional circumstances. All minerals applications must be subject to the most rigorous examination, and should be demonstrated to be in the public interest before being allowed to proceed. The factors to be taken into account in considering minerals applications in such areas include:

  1. a) the need for the development in terms of national considerations of mineral supply; and the impact of permitting the development, or refusing it, on the local economy;
  2. b) whether alternative supplies can be made available at reasonable cost; and the scope for meeting the need in some other way;
  3. c) any detrimental effect of the proposals on the environment and landscape and the extent to which that should be moderated; and
  4. d) in the case of extensions to existing quarries, the extent to which the proposal would achieve an enhancement to the local landscape.

Minerals policies in the RPG for the east midlands should be read within that context.