Policy information sourced from the Buckinghamshire Minerals and Waste Local Plan
21 Green Belt
The openness and characteristics of the Green Belt are to be protected, with minerals and waste development enhancing the beneficial use of the Green Belt (where possible) through: increased access; provision of recreational opportunities; retention and enhancement of landscapes, visual amenity and biodiversity; or improving damaged and derelict land.
Mineral extraction within the Green Belt will be supported provided that it preserves the openness of, and does not conflict with the purposes of including land in, the Green Belt and where compliant with relevant MWLP policies. Other than those required for the winning of mineral, elements of development considered integral to extractive operations include those associated with access and restoration. Other forms of development, including on-site processing, will be supported where compliant with relevant MWLP policies and national policy.
Development of waste management facilities in the Green Belt will be supported where it can be demonstrated that the development would not form inappropriate development and provided that it preserves the openness of, and does not conflict with the purposes of including land in, the Green Belt. Circumstances where waste development may be regarded as not inappropriate include:
- waste development with a low visual impact (such as open windrow composting),
- deposit of inert waste to land where necessary to facilitate restoration of a mineral extraction site with extant planning permission or engineering works,
- extension or alteration of an existing waste management facility provided that it does not result in disproportionate additions over and above the size of the original building, or the replacement of an existing waste management facility, provided the new building is for waste management use and not materially larger than the one it replaces,
- limited infilling or the partial or complete redevelopment of previously developed sites (brownfield land), whether redundant or in continuing use (excluding temporary buildings), which would not have a greater impact on the openness of the Green Belt and the purpose of including land within it than the existing development, or
- the re-use of buildings provided that the buildings are of permanent and substantial construction.
The following considerations may contribute to very special circumstances that would necessitate the siting of waste management facilities within the Green Belt:
- the redevelopment of a waste site (e.g. landfill) to improve and enhance Green Belt objectives, or
- whether there are any other reasonably available alternatives outside the Green Belt, including an assessment of options and consideration of the contribution towards development of a sustainable waste management network and capacity requirements.
For more information please see the Buckinghamshire Minerals and Waste Local Plan