Futures Forum: Quarrying in East Devon > inspector demands proposed quarry at Straightgate to be reduced in size
The County Council has just embarked on another series of public consultations following on from the Inspector's findings and modifications to the proposed Devon Minerals Plan:
Final chance to have say on Devon’s future quarry plans
05 August 2016 Eleanor Pipe
Straitgate quarry plans aerial view
Raft of modifications includes changes to Straitgate Farm proposals
Final proposals for future quarrying in Devon – including a controversial 100-acre site in Ottery St Mary – are now open to public scrutiny.
Residents are being urged to take this last chance to submit their views on 199 modifications to the new Devon Minerals Plan which the county council says aim to address objections and strengthen protection of communities.
Straitgate Farm is currently earmarked as suitable land for the extraction of material despite wide public opposition, but in the amended document the potential quarrying area has been reduced from 40 hectares to 34.
It has been reclassified from a ‘specific site’ to ‘preferred area’ and the widely disputed amount of sand and gravel available for extraction has been decreased in the plan, which now states ‘up to 1.2million’. Access to the site – which was specified as via Birdcage Lane - has also been amended.
Once adopted, the new Devon Minerals Plan will provide a blueprint for quarrying materials across the region and ensure adequate resources are maintained for the next 18 years and beyond.
The document has gone through a public consultation and examination process and residents are now being asked to comment on the proposed modifications alone.
Chairman of Devon County Council’s (DCC) development management committee, Councillor Jerry Brook, said: “We have worked hard with local residents, parish councils and the minerals industry to develop our minerals plan over the past few years and want to thank everyone for their input. This eight-week consultation is the final opportunity for people across the county to have their say on the proposed modifications.
“The plan has to balance the supply of the county’s natural mineral resources, while minimising the impact on Devon’s environment and local residents. We have carefully considered all feedback throughout this process and recognise that the plan requires some amendment to ensure that it meets the necessary standard for adoption.
“I therefore encourage everyone to take part in this consultation and make further comment on the proposed modifications so we can make sure we strike the right balance and secure a plan fit for our future.”
The consultation on proposed modifications will run from Monday, August 1, to Friday, September 23.
For full details visit: https://new.devon.gov.uk/haveyoursay
More information about the development of the plan is available via: https://new.devon.gov.uk/planning/planning-policies/minerals-and-waste-policy/devon-minerals-plan.
Final chance to have say on Devon’s future quarry plans - News - Sidmouth Herald
This is the view from the Straitgate Action Group:
Straitgate Action Group: Modifications Consultation
.
.
.
No comments:
Post a Comment