Agenda item - Review of the Waste & Minerals Local Plan

Report of the Executive Director for Economy, Environment & Culture (copy attached).

(1) That the purpose and proposed timetable for the review of the Waste and Minerals Local Plan be noted; and

            (2) Agree that a review may be initiated, to commence with a consultation inviting representations about its scope and a “call for mineral sites.”

8.1       The Committee considered a report of The Executive Director, Economy, Environment and Culture seeking approval of the Committee to commence a review of policies in the adopted East Sussex, South Downs and Brighton & Hove Waste and Minerals Local Plan.

8.2       It was explained that this process was primarily intended to address a specific identified issue relating to the supply of minerals needed to support new development and economic growth in the Plan area. By so doing it was intended that this would ensure that the planning policy framework for waste and minerals remained up to date and was compliant with national policy as set out in National Planning Policy Framework. It was also necessary for a partial review of the Plan to take place in order to determine how the Plan could continue to provide for a steady and adequate supply of aggregates taking into account future demand and the contribution of different supply options.

8.3       Councillor O’Quinn referred to the relative speed with which the supplies of certain aggregates appeared to have run down agreeing that in the light of that a review would be timely.

8.4       Councillor Nemeth referred to the use of Marine aggregates and the need to maintain close liaison with Shoreham Port Authority in order to ensure that its supplies were maintained. Councillor Mac Cafferty confirmed in his capacity as the council’s representative on that body that he was aware that robust mechanisms were in place both to ensure the integrity of the port and to ensure that sensitive areas of the seabed were not dredged. He was aware that activities carried out were licensed and that the appropriate safeguards were in place.

8.5       RESOLVED – (1) That the purpose and proposed timetable for the review of the Waste and Minerals Local Plan be noted; and

            (2) Agree that a review may be initiated, to commence with a consultation inviting representations about its scope and a “call for mineral sites.”