Pirton Neighbourhood Development Plan 2011 - 2031

I am writing on behalf of the county council as the Minerals and Waste planning Authority, to make comments regarding the 'Pirton Neighbourhood Development Plan'. Further to our comments sent in May 2016, regarding the pre- submission version of the plan, the county council would like to reiterate the following:

It was previously noted that the Neighbourhood Plan Area is not located within the sand and gravel belt but is partially covered to the east by the North of Hitchin mineral resource block, where there is potential for the extraction of sand and gravel. This area is identified by the county council as a Mineral Consultation Area.

This is an area of the county where particular care is needed to prevent the unnecessary sterilisation of sand and gravel resources. In these areas, before planning applications are decided by the district or borough councils, the county council will be given the chance to consider whether the development proposed would lead to unacceptable sterilisation of mineral resources. Minerals Policy 5: Sterilisation, of the adopted Minerals Local Plan 2002-2016 addresses the need for prior extraction of minerals to ensure that the resource is not sterilised.

The mineral resource block and mineral resource block buffer is shown in the county council's adopted Mineral Consultation Areas, Supplementary Planning Document. The county council recommends viewing the Supplementary Planning Document and associated maps for future reference; please follow the link provided below: http://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/services/envplan/plan/hccdevplan/mlp/mineralsconsareas/
There are no operating waste facilities recorded by the county council within the Neighbourhood Plan Area or its immediate boundaries to be aware of at this present time.
Waste matters will need to be taken into account as the county council's Minerals and Waste Local Plans form part of the Development Plan as defined in section 38 of the Planning and Compulsory Planning Act 2004. New development and growth of an area results in the generation of waste and this will be an important aspect needing consideration in due course, in addition to the need to avoid the sterilisation of minerals.
As such the Neighbourhood Plan should refer to the following documents:
* Waste Core Strategy and Development Management Policies document 2011-2026, adopted November 2012;
* Waste Site Allocations document 2011-2026, adopted July 2014; and
* Minerals Local Plan 2002-2016, adopted March 2007.