The following advice relates to the questions on the application form and should be followed carefully.
The downloadable application form can be found to the right on this page.
PART ONE – GENERAL INFORMATION
1. The Applicant/The Agent
Please include the name of the person who should be contacted in connection with this application. If an agent is acting for the applicant, all correspondence, including the decision notice, will be sent to the agent.
2. Description of Proposed Development
(i) The address should be the postal address or, if none exists, then the location should be described in sufficient detail to enable it to be easily identified by reference to Ordnance Survey field numbers, road names or the name of the establishment.
(ii) The description of the proposed development should be brief and accurate. The detailed nature of the proposal should be made clear on accompanying plans.
3. Type of Application
Please specify which category your application falls within:
(i) Surface mineral extraction/mineral processing;
(ii) Mineral exploration;
(iii) Underground mining;
(iii) Siting of new plant/buildings.
(iv) Other - please give details, including variation of a condition, renewal of a temporary permission, etc.
4. Site Details
All applicants to complete this section, ensuring all information is accurate. Please provide site area in hectares or square metres.
5. Environmental Considerations
Applicants should ensure that the proposals take account of relevant statutory designations such as Conservation Areas, Sites of Special Scientific Interest etc. Information about designations can be sought from the case officer. Advice may also need to be sought from relevant statutory organisations.
Any proposed works to existing trees or hedgerows or new landscaping should be clearly shown on the submitted plans.
Where an application site includes a right of way, such as a public footpath or bridleway, this should be clearly shown on the plans. The receipt of planning permission does not give the automatic right to divert or extinguish a public right of way. This will require separate approval. Further advice on this can be sought from the council’s Rights of Way Officers (tel no 01225 477532). It is important that the site is checked for protected wildlife and plants. Further guidance on this can be sought from the Wildlife Trust on 01636 677711.
6. Traffic and Transport
6.1 It is assumed that most of the materials will be taken to/from the site by road although other modes of transport should be investigated where possible. Where other forms of transport can be used, such as rail or water, (or conveyors within the site) details should be given in a supporting statement. This should include loading and unloading arrangements.
6.2 Indicate any new access arrangements on proposed plans. Please provide details of the site access junction with the public highway, including width of road, turning radii and sight lines.
6.3 Please state the number of movements i.e. a lorry entering and leaving the site counts as two movements. Please indicate whether lorry capacities are in tonnes or cubic metres.
6.4 If more than one route is likely to be used please indicate the total number of movements that are likely to use each route. Please note that you may be asked to enter into a legal agreement specifying the routes which may be taken by lorries to and from the site.
Where there is a need for highway improvements to be undertaken as a result of your proposal, these will normally be at your expense. You are advised to contact the Highway Authority if your proposal is likely to generate significant amounts of traffic and/or heavy vehicles or likely to require a significant amount of road construction/alignment etc.
6.5 Confirm details of vehicular movements within the site and provisions for loading/unloading of vehicles. Show these areas on proposed layout plans.
6.6 Please confirm details of car parking and cycle provision for all vehicles, including existing and proposed as appropriate.
PART TWO – SPECIFIC QUESTIONS RELATING TO EXTRACTION AND WORKING OF MINERALS AND ASSOCIATED DEVELOPMENT
Minerals Extraction/Mineral Processing/Plant Capacity/Other buildings, plant and structures
Questions 1 – 14. Please complete the relevant sections
15. Environmental Effects of Development
Details should be provided relating to the proposed total anticipated hours of working for different activities taking place on the site specifying separately weekday operations and weekend operations. (Normally work should not take place on Sundays or Bank Holidays). Applicants should state whether these hours exclude or include maintenance works. Please specify separately details for:
· mineral prospecting;
· soil stripping and overburden removal;
· mineral working;
· mineral processing;
· vehicular movements.
If operations are likely to be intermittent then this should be clearly stated and the proposed periods of working given separately.
16. Applicants should refer to more detailed advice set out in Mineral Policy Statement 2 – Controlling and Mitigating the Environmental Effects of Mineral Extraction in England. Applicants should provide information on proposed noise levels through the different stages of work. Information should include the predicted or actual noise emissions from specific plant, the length of time plant will be in use, measures taken for controlling noise, (eg screening barriers or other forms of noise barrier erected) and methods of calculating noise emissions.
Where the proposed development is to take place in proximity to noise sensitive property, such as residential dwellings, schools, hospitals and recreation areas, applicants should provide details of noise levels at these properties or areas scheduled for such development. If no noise sensitive properties are likely to be affected then applicants should give noise levels at site boundaries. The applicant should indicate whether there will be a need for temporary raising of noise limits for activities of a temporary nature and specify what these are.
Proposed methods for noise monitoring and measures for controlling noise should also be specified. Whilst such information is best dealt with in a supporting statement, if the applicant does not intend providing such a document, then information should be specified on the form.
17. Applicants should state methods to control and suppress dust from the extraction and processing operations including the treatment of topsoil and subsoil storage heaps. They should also state the measures proposed for minimising the spread of mud, minerals or wastes onto the public highway from the transportation operation (eg wheel cleaning, sheeting of lorries etc).
18. Where relevant, applicants should provide as much detail as possible on the effects of blasting as it is helpful to the authority when determining an application.
Blasting should normally take place during the normal working day and applicants should provide details of the arrangements made for public warning and access restrictions during blasting itself.
Applicants should also provide details of the methods used for predictions of impact (eg test blasts on similar sites etc).
19. Applicants who are uncertain whether or not the materials in the proposal involves the use and storage of hazardous materials should contact the authority or Health and Safety Executive.
For materials which may create a hazard, applicants should indicate the hazardous materials, what special consideration will need to or has been given to the siting of development which involves the use of such materials, and how the material is intended to be stored.
Proposals involving hazardous substances will require the submission of an application to the Hazardous Substances Authority for Hazardous Substances Consent. The council acts as the HSA for land used for the winning in working and working of minerals.
20. Where relevant, applicants should give an outline of proposed measures to control potential pollution to protect, ground and surface water. They should give an indication of any necessary drainage and flood control measures; and proposed monitoring measures, including any requirements for the provision of settlement lagoons; the way in which surface water is to be disposed of; the avoidance of impairing drainage from adjoining areas; and the prevention of material entering open water courses.
Please indicate on the form whether a flood risk assessment has been undertaken.
21. To be completed as relevant.
22. Applicants should submit sufficient information to indicate the extent of visual impact of the proposed development and operations. Methods used may, for example, include visual envelope maps or photomontages. Applicants should also submit information to indicate the extent, nature and location of any landscaping to be undertaken during operations to screen the site from public view or otherwise to mitigate the visual impact. Applicants should distinguish between permanent and temporary features. Cross references should be made to any plans submitted.
23. Applicants should discuss the likelihood of instability of working faces, tips and associated structures with the authority. A stability report should be presented which should include a geotechnical analysis and should propose measures which will be taken to reduce the risk of instability.
24. Where landfilling using controlled waste (eg household waste etc) is to take place you must additionally make a Waste Application by completing the council’s Waste Application forms.
Additionally, operations will need to obtain a waste management licence submitted under the Environmental Protection Act, 1990. Application forms can be obtained from the Environment Agency.
25. Please complete the relevant Annex.
26. Restoration, Aftercare and Afteruse
Applicants are strongly advised to read MPG7 ‘The Reclamation of Mineral Workings’ which sets out the information normally required in support of a planning application. Aftercare conditions will normally be imposed on all mineral extraction permissions where the intended afteruse will be for agriculture, forestry or amenity purposes, and will either specify the steps to be taken or, where restoration and aftercare may not be begun for a number of years, will require an aftercare scheme to be submitted for approval at a later date. Applicants are asked to provide aftercare details to assist statutory consultations with DEFRA and the framing of aftercare conditions.
Overall, the applicant needs to demonstrate to the authority that the site can be reclaimed satisfactorily. The best way to achieve this is to prepare a separate supporting restoration plan at the outset based on detailed site investigation and fully integrated with the working programme. For afteruses which involve some form of plant growth (eg agriculture, forestry or amenity) the plan should normally involve four main stages:
(a) stripping of soils and soil making materials and either their storage or their direct replacement (ie restoration) on another part of the site;
(b) creating final landform, including filling operations (if required);
(c) restoration;
(d) aftercare.
All applicants should submit details relating to points (a), and (c) above. All applicants should also specify the proposed afteruse(s) for the site and outline proposals for aftercare (d). Details of filling proposals (b) should be submitted where relevant.
Following the workings, if the site is to be used for built development you must submit a separate application for planning permission. This will usually need to be made to the relevant council.
Where feasible, a progressive scheme of working should be prepared which minimises the amount of land taken out of agricultural or other use at any one time and which facilitates the early progressive restoration of the site. Special consideration should be given to the location and design of all soil and overburden storage mounds and the timing of their construction and removal should be indicated.
If amenity afteruse is proposed then the applicant should indicate whether a part(s) or whole of the site is intended for nature conservation, informal recreation or sports. If water areas are to be created, then the applicant should seek to estimate the intended depths and areas of water; hydrology and water quality. Proposed profiles of banks; creation of islands; preservation and use of soil and the treatment and planting of water and land margins; and proposals for subsequent management should be submitted if they are part of the overall restoration scheme.
27-28 To be completed by all applicants as relevant.
29. Where restoration of the site or part of the site is likely to take place within 12 months of the commencement of working, applicants should submit a summary of the items proposed for inclusion in an aftercare scheme, to be agreed at a late date, including land management during the aftercare period and intended arrangements in the longer term.
Applicants should give details of arrangements for longer-term management of the restored site. This should include any other party who will or may be responsible for the site during the aftercare period (eg if a former tenant, farmer or landowner); and particularly sites to be used for nature conservation or recreation; what arrangements are likely for management of the land in the longer term. Applicants should also indicate if these matters are the subject of a proposed planning obligation/voluntary agreement.
30. Benefits of the Development
This question is intended to give an opportunity for applicants to demonstrate the benefits of the proposed development. Mineral workings invariably have some environmental effects and it is therefore often necessary to take account of employment, economic and environmental factors in assessing proposals when considering your application.
Applicants should also demonstrate the need for the proposed development in terms of national guidance or relationship of the proposals to relevant development plan policies.
31. Plans and Drawings
All plans should preferably be on an Ordnance Survey base, clearly titled, and given a unique number. Please read the Validation Checklist for Mineral Development prior to submission of the application.
32. Please confirm whether an Environmental Statement has been submitted.
33. Certification and Fees
Please complete the relevant certificate and indicate on the form which one has been submitted.
Any person who issues a Certificate which contains a statement which he/she knows to be false or recklessly issues a Certificate which contains a statement which is false or misleading, shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction, as specified in the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, as amended by the Planning and Compensation Act 1991.
‘Owner’ means a person having a freehold interest or a leasehold interest, the unexpired term of which is not less than 7 years, or, in the case of development consisting of the winning and working of minerals, a person entitled to an interest in a mineral in the land (other than oil, gas, coal, gold or silver).
All planning applications must be accompanied by the correct fee, unless they are exempt. The fees are fixed by the Government and are revised periodically. Please refer to the fee sheet for the relevant fee level. Cheques should be made payable to Bath & N E Somerset Council.
34. Declaration
All applications must be signed and dated.
The Decision
Your application will be acknowledged giving the name of the case officer and an indication of a target date for a decision will be given. Statutory and non-statutory consultations will be undertaken on your application, as well as publicity in the form of neighbour notification and press and site notices depending on the nature of your proposal. Your proposal will be assessed against planning policies and relevant guidance. Any response from consultees and representations received (ie objections) will be taken into account. It may be necessary to amend the scheme as a consequence of consultation responses. Minor and straightforward applications will be dealt with under delegated powers; major and more contentious proposals will probably need to be reported to the Planning Committee for a decision.
Further information about the Development Control Service can be found in the council’s Development Control Customer Charter.
Monitoring and Enforcement
Once planning permission has been granted, sites are regularly visited by officers from the council to provide advice and assistance to operators and the public and to ensure that planning permissions are complied with. Any breaches of planning control, such as failure to comply with conditions, may result in enforcement action.
Other Approvals
These may include:
Building Regulations
This application relates only to matters falling within Town and Country Planning legislation. If your proposals include building works you may also need to apply for approval under the Building Regulations. Such applications are dealt with by the relevant council.
Waste Management Licence
Applicants should note that development involving waste will probably require a Waste Management Licence. Application forms and advice can be obtained from the Environment Agency on 08708 506506.
Hazardous Substances Consent:- see Section 19 above.
Other Formats
This form is available in other formats on request, please contact 01225 394041 for further information.
Further Advice
Useful advice on Minerals development can also be found on the websites of various organisations including DCLG, Environment Agency, Planning Officers Society, etc and the Planning Portal. These Mineral Development application forms are available on the internet at http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/ and follow the Planning links. The forms may be completed electronically, downloaded and sent to Planning Services, PO Box 5006, Bath BA1 1JG. Please ensure that the form and certificates signed and dated.