Policy information sourced from the Hertfordshire Minerals Local Plan Review

18 Operational Criteria for the Control of Mineral Development

All proposals for mineral extraction and related development shall, where appropriate:

  1. include a comprehensive scheme of working and restoration, including detailed proposals for soil handling (stripping, movement, storage and replacement), a schedule of extraction operations and proposals for the removal of plant, machinery and other related development on completion of operations. The proposals should also demonstrate that machinery and buildings are energy efficient in accordance with best practice;
  2. demonstrate a satisfactory restoration landform, including full details of landscaping and long term land management, which can be secured within a reasonable timescale and are appropriate to the area. The final landform should be one that has the appearance of one created naturally and set harmoniously within the surrounding landscape, consistent with the landscape character of the area, be sustainable and pose no long term risk to the environment by way of reduced stability;
  3. where restoration to agriculture is proposed, demonstrate that the proposals will achieve reclamation to the highest practicable grade, which must be at least equivalent to that which previously existed;
  4. include measures to minimise visual intrusion and any adverse impact on the local landscape;
  5. ensure that the proposals do not encroach within at least ten metres from the canopy spread of all periphery or other retained trees (including isolated mature trees within hedgerows) nor within three metres from the canopy spread of hedgerows;
  6. demonstrate the stability of the perimeter slopes of the excavation and make provision for appropriate stability buffer zones, particularly where the boundary adjoins a public highway including public rights of way
  7. incorporate an appropriately defined buffer zone in order to safeguard sensitive land-uses. The following matters will be taken into account when delineating the buffer zone at the application stage of development:
    • topography and hydrology of the site and surrounding areas;
    • natural and manmade features, which may reduce the impact of development, for example landscape features, roads, railway lines etc;
    • the direction of the prevailing wind;
    • the proximity of the proposed development to sensitive land-uses such as dwellings;
    • duration and direction of the proposed working; and
    • location of plant and other ancillary development;
  8. demonstrate that no significant noise intrusion will arise from the development;
  9. demonstrate that no significant degradation of the air (particularly from dust and emissions) or water quality or quantity –with respect to both groundwater and surface water will occur;
  10. ensure that public rights of way are not adversely affected or, where this is not possible, that good quality, safe and convenient temporary alternative provision is made and long-term reinstatement or suitable replacement of rights of way is secured. The use of rights of way to obtain vehicle access to a site will not be permitted unless it can be clearly demonstrated that the safety of rights of way users can be adequately protected. Proposals should enhance the public rights of way network through the creation of new rights of way and/or open space, or the improvement of public access;
  11. include proposals to prevent the soiling of the public highway including the provision of suitably surfaced access roads, wheel cleaning equipment and sheeting to prevent dust or spillage and measures for dealing with the immediate cleaning of public roads should accidental soiling occur;
  12. include proposals for the submission of an annual report detailing progress over the previous twelve months, operational proposals for working and restoration for the ensuing twenty-four months and compliance with conditions;
  13. include proposals for involving the local community, including site specific liaison meetings;
  14. demonstrate that the method of operation and manner of reclamation will not represent an unacceptable increase in risk of birdstrike incidents to aviation where appropriate;
  15. include appropriate buffer zones adjacent to open channel watercourses to ensure the ecology and integrity of the watercourse and river corridor is protected.

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