Policy information sourced from the Hertfordshire Minerals Local Plan Review

17 Criteria for the Control of Mineral Development to Protect Critical Capital and Other Environmental Assets

All proposals for mineral extraction and related development (including after uses):

  1. shall not be permitted where they would result in the permanent loss or damage or significant and irreversible change to those particular characteristics and features that define the special quality of critical capital or other environmental assets as defined in the Structure Plan (the degree of protection given will be appropriate to status according to their international, national or local importance);
  2. shall include proposals for mitigation, where appropriate, that will provide for the maintenance and enhancement of critical capital or other environmental assets as defined in the Structure Plan, including where temporary loss would occur;
  3. shall not be permitted if the development would cause the permanent loss in quality or extent of the best and most versatile agricultural land unless there is an overriding need for the development, and either sufficient land in lower grades is unavailable, or available lower grade land has an environmental value which outweighs the agricultural considerations;
  4. shall not be permitted if the development and/or subsequent after-use would have a negative quantitative and/or qualitative impact on the water environment, including main rivers, ordinary water courses and groundwater resources, unless appropriate measures can be imposed to mitigate any harmful effects;
  5. shall not be permitted if the development would increase the risk of flooding or have a material negative impact on the storage or flow capacity of the floodplain, unless the risk or impact can be obviated;
  6. shall not be permitted in the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty unless exceptional circumstances indicate otherwise;
  7. shall not result in the net reduction in either the quantity or quality of woodland, trees or hedges, whether directly or indirectly. Where quantity or quality is lost, redress in equivalent measures will be sought, with species to be agreed with the mineral planning authority, so as to recreate a suitable landscape and habitat sympathetic to the proposed restoration scheme and afteruse. Enhancement of existing woodland, trees and hedges through improved management will be sought. Development proposals must ensure the appropriate management of both retained vegetation cover such as trees and hedgerows, and new planting over the long - term.

For more information, please see the Hertfordshire Minerals Local Plan Review