Greater Manchester Joint Minerals Development Plan document
The ten Greater Manchester authorities: Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford and Wigan are working together to prepare a joint minerals development plan document (minerals plan). The minerals plan will provide a sound, sub-regional planning policy framework that provides a clear guide to minerals operators and the public about:
- The locations where mineral extraction may take place
- The safeguarding of sensitive environmental features and of mineral resources with potential for future extraction
- All aspects of environmental and resource protection including the sustainable transportation of minerals
The plan will form an integral part of each authority's local development framework. A planning team located within the Greater Manchester Geological Unit (GMGU) is responsible for all aspects of plan production and consultation, with assistance from the Greater Manchester authorities as necessary.
Earlier consultation stages
Preparation of the minerals plan commenced in November 2009. The first stage of consultation focused on evidence base information and the scoping report for sustainability appraisal. The outcomes for this initial stage are available from the Greater Manchester minerals plan website.
Following this, a six week period of consultation was held in early 2010 on an issues and options report. The representations made during this period were assessed and an outcomes report of the consultation is available on the Greater Manchester minerals plan website.
In August 2010 there was a further consultation on options for defining mineral safeguarding areas for mineral resources across Greater Manchester. A report on the outcomes from this consultation is available from the Greater Manchester minerals plan website and it was used to inform the preferred approach report.
The minerals plan was published and made available for final comments relating to the soundness and legal compliance between 29 July and 2 September 2011. The report sets out the approach to minerals planning in Greater Manchester, including the final strategic policies to guide future mineral development and areas of search for mineral extraction.
Submission and examination
The minerals plan was submitted to the secretary of state on 18 November 2011. Other relevant documents were submitted alongside the minerals plan including the following documents:
- the sustainability appraisal report
- habitats regulations assessment
- equalities impact assessment
- statement of consultation
- summary of representations received at publication
- schedule of proposed minor changes to the published development plan document
- amendments to the adopted proposals maps in Greater Manchester
- various evidence base documents
The submitted documents are available to view at public libraries and main council offices across Greater Manchester during their normal opening hours, please visit the Greater Manchester minerals plan website for more information.
Following submission of the minerals plan, a public examination will be scheduled in March 2012, to consider the soundness of the plan. The secretary of state will appoint an independent inspector to oversee the examination, and this will be followed by the issue of a programme of matters, issues, hearing dates and meetings.
Individuals and organisations that have made representations at the publication stage in July to September 2011 will be contacted to with details of the examination procedure. The councils have appointed a programme officer, Mr Chris Hobson, who reports to the inspector and who will advise and deal with all procedural, administrative and programming matters. Chris can be contacted by email or by telephoning 0161 779 4808.
Who to contact
- Name
- Planning Team
- Address
- Greater Manchester Geological Unit
Emerson House
Albert Street
Eccles
M30 0TE
Map to this location - Telephone
- 0161 779 6182
- planningteam@gmmineralsplan.co.uk
This page was last updated on 16 November 2011
