A Bill to require planning authorities to impose a minimum distance between opencast mining developments and residential properties; and for connected purposes.
The Bill would require the Secretary of State to publish guidance on opencast mining policy in England. The guidance must include a specific policy requiring a 500-metre separation zone to be maintained between opencast mining sites and the nearest residential premises, unless the circumstances are exceptional.It would require that mineral planning authorities in England must have regard to any such guidance issued when fulfilling their functions.The Bill would bring the guidance on opencast mining in England more closely into line with the guidance that applies in Scotland and Wales.
House of Commons
1 May 2012
May contain errors — check source documents for definitive information.
The Bill would require planning authorities in England to impose a minimum distance between opencast mining sites and nearby homes. It would oblige the Secretary of State to publish guidance that includes a 500-metre separation zone, unless there are exceptional circumstances, and planning authorities would have to take that guidance into account. The aim is to align England’s approach with Scotland and Wales on opencast mining policy.
The bill is at the second reading stage in the House of Commons, with its origins in the Commons and earlier readings in 2010 and 2011. No further progress is recorded in the provided materials.
Generated 21 February 2026
30 Jun 2010
11 Feb 2011
No recorded votes for this bill yet.
