Preston Neighbourhood Plan

I am writing in response to Preston Parish Council's application for the designation of a Neighbourhood Plan Area and provide comments in relation to minerals and waste planning matters.
With regards to planning history, records do not indicate that there are any minerals or waste planning applications within the proposed Neighbourhood Plan Area boundary. The nearest application site to be aware of is located approximately 57m east of the Neighbourhood Plan Area boundary. The site is known as Vicars Grove Pit. Records show that permission was initially granted in 1952 for the extraction of sand and gravel. Various planning applications have been received with permissions granted in relation to extraction and reclamation of landfill site with processing of buried inert waste. Further details relating to previous planning applications can be provided should this be necessary.
In terms of waste matters, there are no operating waste facilities recorded by the county council within the proposed Neighbourhood Plan Area to be aware of at this present time.
In terms of minerals matters, it should be noted that the proposed Neighbourhood Plan Area is not located within the sand and gravel belt, however it is partially covered to the west by the West of Stevenage - Preston mineral resource block, where there is potential for the extraction of sand and gravel. The extent of this mineral resource block and buffer is shown in the county council's adopted Mineral
Consultation Areas, Supplementary Planning Document. 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.
In addition, it is worth pointing out that the buffer of an adjacent mineral resource block partially falls within the Neighbourhood Plan Area on the eastern boundary. This mineral resource block is known as West of Stevenage - Langley.
It should be noted, when the Parish Council develops its vision and objectives for shaping development and growth within the neighbourhood, that minerals and waste matters will need to be taken into account as Minerals and Waste Local Plans form part of the Development Plan. These are as follows:
 Waste Core Strategy and Development Management Policies document 2011-2026, adopted November 2012;
 Waste Site Allocations document 2011-2026, adopted July 2014; &
 Minerals Local Plan 2002-2016, adopted March 2007.
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 known to be present within the Mineral Resource Block.
The county council as Minerals and Waste Planning Authority would like to be consulted at future stages in the production of the Neighbourhood Plan.