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4.1.24 The
Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Joint Structure Plan addresses the strategic
planning requirement to provide a landbank of mineral
reserves for aggregates and open cast coal. The strategy focuses on extensions
at existing workings and search areas for aggregates and coal. None of these
search areas are located in
4.1.25 Therefore in order to safeguard both rural amenity and the
setting of the urban areas, the Council will generally oppose proposals for the
winning and working of surface minerals except at existing locations. Where
such proposals involve the reuse or removal of waste materials and a general
upgrading of the environment, for example at the sites of former collieries,
the Council may be prepared to consider them more favourably in line with its
support of the principles of a sustainable approach to mineral development.
4.1.26 Existing aggregate workings at Inchbelly,
Kirkintilloch and Douglasmuir,
Milngavie are identified on the Proposals Map and the Council will require, in
due course, the environmental restoration of these sites. Those existing
workings are located in the Green Belt, and any future proposal for mineral
extraction at either site will require to be assessed against the relevant
Green Belt policies of the plan as well as policy DQ 5 below.
DQ 5 Mineral Extraction
There will be a presumption against
proposals for the winning and working of minerals throughout the Local Plan
area, except:
a) at
existing workings (including extensions), or
b) where
the proposals involve the reuse or removal of waste materials, e.g. at the
sites of former collieries.
In order to ensure the protection of
amenity throughout the Local Plan area, proposals falling within (a) or (b)
above will require to be assessed against the following criteria:
1. environmental
impact,
2. traffic implications,
3. availability of the mineral supply,
4. the rate of extraction, and
5. restoration and
beneficial afteruse (where necessary tied to Section
75 Agreements).