Policy information sourced from the Havering Local Plan

38 Mineral extraction

The Council will seek to maintain at least a seven year aggregate landbank, as per Havering apportionment of at least 1.75 million tons within the London Plan. In this regard, mineral extraction within Mineral Safeguarding Areas will be supported when proposals in isolation and cumulatively would not unacceptably impact on:

  • Public health and safety;
  • The amenity and quality of life of nearby communities;
  • The natural, built and/or historic environment;
  • The efficient and effective operation of the road network, including safety and capacity.

When necessary, appropriate mitigation measures, to ensure that criteria i.-iv is complied with will be secured as part of any proposed development by planning condition and/or legal agreement.

A Transport Statement or Transport Assessment (as appropriate) will be required with all applications to determine the potential impacts the proposal may have on the road network and ensure reasonable contributions from the developers are received to maintain the roads. Full consideration should be given to the use of the River Thames for the transportation of any materials as part of any submitted transport statement.

With regards to site operations and restoration, proposals will be expected to be worked in a phased manner with agreed mitigation measures in place to ensure that the local environment and amenity value is maintained or improved throughout the lifetime of the development. Restoration should be undertaken in accordance with an approved scheme and on a progressive basis and seek to:

  • Reduce the reliance on the use of landfill materials;
  • Provide beneficial after-use(s) that secure long lasting community and environmental benefits; and
  • Protect the best and most versatile agricultural land.

All restoration proposals will be subject to a five year aftercare period.

Any ancillary development including processing plant necessary to facilitate the development should be essential, positioned on-site and of a design to limit adverse landscape impact it must be removed from the site as soon as no longer required for the purpose for which it was installed.

In the event of a sufficient landbank, the Council will consider applications on their individual merits. Such applications will, however, generally be resisted unless the applicant can demonstrate:

  • An overriding justification or benefit for the proposed extraction;
  • The scale of the extraction is no more than the minimum essential for the purpose of the proposal; and
  • The proposal meets criteria i-iv above.

For more information please see the Havering Local Plan