Views wanted on proposed updated Hampshire Minerals and Waste Plan
Residents, businesses, public organisations, the voluntary sector and other stakeholders are being asked to comment on an updated Hampshire Minerals and Waste Plan – the ‘Proposed Submission Plan’ – ahead of the Plan’s examination by the Government’s Planning Inspectorate
In having a Minerals and Waste Plan in place, the five minerals and waste planning authorities are fulfilling their collective duty to ensure that the whole area can continue to provide a steady and adequate supply of minerals for building homes, schools, hospitals and roads, as well as provide sufficient waste resources and facilities.
On 9 January 2024, those authorities (Hampshire County Council, New Forest National Park Authority, Portsmouth City Council, Southampton City Council and South Downs National Park Authority) have opened an eight-week consultation.
The Proposed Submission Plan has been updated to ensure that it is in line with current legislation and has been informed by the feedback from the Draft Plan consultation in 2023 where views were sought on proposed updates to policies.
Additional local knowledge was also requested about the sites that have been identified for supplying and transporting sand and gravel, as well as for providing waste processing, recycling and disposal facilities - so that the millions of tonnes of household and commercial waste generated across the area can be dealt with as efficiently and sustainably as possible.
The Hampshire Minerals and Waste Plan is evidence-based and is in line with national planning policy. The local policies contained within the Plan guide the decisions that each of the five minerals and waste planning authorities make when determining planning applications for minerals extraction or waste infrastructure and operations.
Councillor Sarah Bogle, Cabinet Member for Economic Development at Southampton City Council, said:
“The Hampshire Minerals and Waste Plan is an important strand of our planning system, ensuring that we have both an adequate supply of minerals for building and sufficient waste and recycling facilities across the county and within Southampton and I would encourage residents and businesses to have their say on the plans and policies relevant to them.”
Why a Minerals and Waste Plan is needed for Hampshire
Having an up-to-date Plan in place is the best way to ensure that minerals and waste operations fully consider the character and special qualities of Hampshire and will not adversely impact communities or the local environment. Not having an up-to-date Plan in place would make Hampshire vulnerable to having sites imposed by Government planning inspectors, losing the opportunity to ensure locally relevant matters are considered when sites come forward for minerals or waste development.
Identified sites are subject to planning permission scrutiny on a case-by-case basis
Any site identified in the final Plan still requires operators to apply for permission in the usual way, taking account of all the environmental considerations and assessing the impact on the local community and area, including undertaking consultation with stakeholders. Land identified would be released only if it is needed, and the planning application fully satisfies the stringent criteria and other tests set out in the Hampshire Minerals and Waste Plan.
How to take part in the consultation
Before responding to the consultation, it is strongly recommended that the updated Plan and supporting evidence base, is read and considered.
Views can be submitted via the online consultation response form until the deadline of 23:59 hours (11.59 pm) on 5 March 2024. More information can be found on the Hampshire Minerals and Waste Plan webpages.
When the consultation has closed
Subject to County Council approval, the responses gathered through the consultation will be submitted to the Government Planning Inspectorate for scrutiny, alongside examination of the Proposed Submission version of the Hampshire Minerals and Waste Plan.
Having considered the consultation responses, the Planning Inspectorate will determine whether further changes need to be made to the Plan before it is approved by Government as ‘sound’ i.e. it complies with national policy and legal requirements, and can be adopted by the five authorities.
The examination is expected to take place in 2025, with the Hampshire authorities anticipating being in a position to adopt the Plan in 2026.
