Proposed changes to Minerals and Waste Plan published for public comment
Tuesday, 16 October 2012
Local people will have the opportunity to have their say on the schedule of proposed changes to Hampshire's Minerals and Waste Plan when the consultation document is published on 22 October 2012. The eight week public consultation period ends on 17 December (at 5pm) and will provide people with an opportunity to comment on the proposed changes to the Plan.
Public hearings
Following scrutiny of the draft Minerals and Waste Plan by an independent Inspector and public examination hearings held in Winchester in June, the recommendations for changes have been made to ensure the draft Plan is 'sound' - which means it is positively prepared, justified, effective and consistent with national policy.
Protecting Hampshire's environment
Councillor Mel Kendal, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Environment and Transport at Hampshire County Council, commented:
"The Hampshire Minerals and Waste Plan will play a fundamental role in protecting Hampshire's environment over the next 20 years. With a document of this significance and complexity, some changes for improvement are to be expected following the public examination. However the vast majority of the changes included in the schedule are relatively minor. Of course, there are some which are more significant and they mostly relate to the need to ensure the Plan is in line with new national policy eg the National Planning Policy Framework or where as a result new information becoming available has required changes to the current draft plan.
Councillor Kendall added:
"All the main proposed changes will be clearly highlighted in the schedule, and the draft Plan will also be published, incorporating these changes. The evidence to support the Plan has also been updated where appropriate and this will also be available during the consultation".
Comments on proposed changes
Approval to publish the proposed changes for comment has been given by all five Minerals and Waste Planning Authorities in Hampshire. Responses to the schedule of proposed changes will be collated in a report that will be prepared and submitted to the independent Planning Inspector for his consideration. This process, and its associated timings, are governed by the independent Planning Inspector and we have to comply with it. People need to be clear, however, that the consultation is only seeking comments on the identified proposed changes and not the entirety of the whole of the draft Plan.
Supporting Hampshire's economy
The draft Hampshire Minerals and Waste Plan aims to help shape the county's future by protecting its environment, maintaining its communities and ensuring that Hampshire's economy is supported. Hampshire's draft Plan has been jointly developed by the five minerals and waste planning authorities in the County, as part of their statutory responsibility for minerals and waste planning. The effects on surrounding areas have also been considered, including liaising with the relevant councils regularly throughout the Plan's development.
Technical evidence has been used in the draft Plan, including the results of public consultations carried out over a number of years. The draft Plan, if adopted, will form the framework for assessing any future planning applications until 2030. Any land identified in the draft Plan would be released only if planning applications satisfy the stringent environmental and other tests set out by the adopted Minerals and Waste Plan. This includes measures to manage and mitigate the impact of development on the local communities and surrounding environment, not only in Hampshire but on neighbouring areas.
A copy of the schedule of proposed changes can be view online at: Hampshire Minerals and Waste Plan Examination
People can comment on the changes by email to planning.policy@hants.gov.uk
Telephone 01962 846591/845518
Writing to HMWP Proposed Changes, County Planning - ETE Department, EII Court West, Hampshire County Council, The Castle, Winchester, SO23 8UD
The draft Hampshire Minerals and Waste Plan is currently subject to a public examination by a government appointed Planning Inspector - Mr Andrew Freeman - who held a series of public hearing sessions in June 2012.
The Planning Inspector's role is to determine whether or not the Plan complies with legal requirements and is 'sound' by investigating that it:
- has complied with statutory processes
- demonstrates that thorough consultation has taken place
- meets Hampshire's need for mineral and waste development
- is based on solid and clear evidence
- has been positively prepared (that the 'big' decisions have been taken and allocated land as necessary to carry out the plans objectives)
- can be implemented, and
- is consistent with national policy.
The evidence necessary to support the draft changes to the plan is available online or by hard copy on request from planning.policy@hants.gov.uk or 0845 6035634
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