Policy information sourced from the Essex Minerals Local Plan

S12 Mineral Site Restoration and After-Use

Proposals for minerals development will be permitted provided that it can be demonstrated that the land is capable of being restored at the earliest opportunity to an acceptable environmental condition and beneficial after-uses, with positive benefits to the environment, biodiversity and/or local communities.

Mineral extraction sites shall:

  • Be restored using phased, progressive working and restoration techniques,
  • Provide biodiversity gain following restoration, demonstrating their contribution to priority habitat creation and integration with local ecological networks,
  • Be restored in the following order of preference,
    1. At low level with no landfill (including restoration to water bodies),
    2. If (1) above is not feasible then at low level but with no more landfill than is essential and necessary, to achieve satisfactory restoration,
    3. If neither of these are feasible and the site is a Preferred Site as may be determined by the Waste Local Plan, then by means of landfill.
  • Provide a scheme of aftercare and maintenance of the restored land for a period of not less than five years to ensure the land is capable of sustaining an appropriate after-use,
  • Where appropriate, proposals shall demonstrate the best available techniques to ensure that:
    • Soil resources are retained, conserved and handled appropriately during operations and restoration,
    • In the case of minerals development affecting the best and most versatile agricultural land, the land is capable of being restored back to best and most versatile land,
    • Hydrological and hydro-geological conditions are preserved, maintained, and where appropriate, managed to prevent adverse impacts on the adjacent land’s groundwater conditions and elsewhere,
    • Flood risk is not increased,
    • Important geological features are maintained and preserved,
    • Adverse effects on the integrity of internationally or nationally important wildlife sites are avoided.

Proposals shall demonstrate that there will not be an unacceptable adverse impact on groundwater conditions, surface water drainage and the capacity of soils for future use. Proposals shall also have regard to any relevant Surface Water or Shoreline Management Plans. Proposals will also demonstrate that the working and restoration scheme is appropriate and the implementation and completion of restoration is feasible.

For more information please see Essex Minerals Local Plan