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
The Bill would require the Secretary of State to publish guidance on opencast mining in England. The guidance would set a 500-metre separation between opencast mining sites and the nearest residential premises, with exceptions only in exceptional circumstances. Planning authorities in England would have to have regard to this guidance when making planning decisions, bringing England's approach closer to the guidance used in Scotland and Wales.
The Bill is at the second reading stage in the House of Commons and originated in the Commons.
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