This is the introduction to the Minorca Opencast Protest Group's Briefing Note “Energy Policy and the proposed National Planning Policy Framework” (E2) which was published on 7/3/11
“Up until the debate on the 2nd Reading of Andrew Bridgen’s 500m Buffer Zone Bill, the indication from the Coalition Government had been that the Government intended to maintain a degree of distance between Planning Policy and Energy Policy. However, statements made by the Minister during that debate indicated that this may not be the Government’s policy in the longer term. He confirmed that minerals planning policy was not to be part of the ‘Localism’ Bill and that determining opencast coal mining applications would remain the responsibility of Mineral Planning Authorities.
These would be subject to meeting the policy statements contained in the new National Policy Planning Framework. This Briefing Note argues that this new policy development might lead to communities having less chance of successfully objecting to future opencast mine applications as a review of the evidence suggests that those organisations who have so far lobbied for a change in Minerals Planning Policy are seeking the removal of the presumption against opencast clauses in current guidance.
In addition, they are seeking to have coal classified as a ‘strategic mineral’ which could allow the Secretary of State to specify a level of production necessary to meet national strategic requirements. If this occurred, ‘need for coal’ arguments put forwards by coal operators, will become a significant factor in determining all future English opencast planning applications and significantly weaken the chance of successfully challenging opencast mine applications in the future. “
The full Briefing note can be downloaded free from:
http://www.leicestershirevilla…..eries.html
Our press release which accompanied the publication of E2 “Are we the next to be labelled as a “Barrier to Enterprise” (PR101) linked the findings of the research in E2 to the statements the Prime Minikster made in his speech to the Conservative Spring Forum Conference the day before (6/3/11) which MOPG argue reinfoce the arguments made in “Energy Policy and the proposed National Planning Policy Framework”. The press release can be downloaded from:
http://www.leicestershirevilla…..ca-op.html
Update added on 7/6/11
A draft of the proposed National Planning Policy Framework document has now been published. It does mention coal. The author's, the Practioners Advisory Group acting on behalf of Greg Clark, the Minister for Decentalisation and Planning are now inviting comments. This now gives you a chance to lobby for the inclusion of a 500m Buffer Zone. For more information follow this link:
http://www.leicestershirevilla…..amewo.html
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