Appendix. A Structure Plan Policies.

Those policies contained in the minerals chapter of the adopted County Durham Structure Plan (March 1999).

Policy 72A

Land will be made available for mineral working to meet the County’s share of the regional supply of aggregates. For the period 1992-2006, provision will be made for the supply of at least 11.0 million tonnes of sand and gravel*, 51.3 million tonnes of magnesian limestone, and 19.9 million tonnes of other crushed rock, unless exceptional circumstances prevail.
*Together with Tees Valley authorities

Policy 72

All proposals for mineral working will be considered in terms of their impacts, whether individual or cumulative on:

  1. the environment;
  2. the amenity of local communities;
  3. the transport network; and
  4. the local economy.

Policy 73a

Subject to the criteria set out in Policy 72, proposals for mineral working in the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty will be subject to the most rigorous examination and will be required to conserve the special character of the area. Proposals will only be approved in very exceptional circumstances or where  there is an overriding national need for the mineral which cannot be met from alternative sources.
In considering proposals for mineral working in the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Mineral Planning Authority will take into account the impact of permitting, or refusing, the proposals on the local economy.

Policy 73b

Subject to the criteria set out in  Policy 72, proposals for mineral working in Areas of High Landscape Value will be given careful consideration. All proposals will be assessed against the following additional criteria:

  1. the impact on the special character and quality of the area’s landscape; and
  2. the availability of alternative sites or resources in less sensitive areas.

Policy 74

For the County as a whole, the following landbanks of permitted reserves will be maintained wherever possible:

  1. sand and gravel - a landbank equivalent to at least seven years production;
  2. crushed rock aggregates - a landbank equivalent to at least 10 years production;
  3. cement making raw materials - a landbank equivalent to at least 15 years production.

Policy 75

Proposals for new mineral workings or extensions to existing workings will only be approved where existing permitted reserves are insufficient to maintain an adequate landbank for the County as a whole unless specific local circumstances, as identified in the County Durham Minerals Local Plan,  justify otherwise.  This policy is not applicable to coal and other energy minerals.

Policy 76

The extraction of high grade minerals will be approved only for purposes for which their special qualities are essential.

Policy 77

Where mineral working is acceptable in principle the concurrent working of additional minerals from the same site will be approved provided that the overall impact on the environment or local community remains acceptable and it does not significantly delay the reclamation of the site.

Policy 78

Development within or adjoining areas containing minerals of economic importance should be allowed only if:

  1. it would not sterilise significant quantities of potential mineral  deposits; or
  2. it represents "infill" development within an established built-up area.

Policy 79

The extraction of minerals in advance of other approved development will be approved provided that the extraction does not prejudice or unduly impede the development and is acceptable under the terms of Policy 72.