Policy information sourced from the Kent Minerals and Waste Local Plan

DM 19 Restoration, Aftercare and After-Use

Planning permission for minerals extraction and temporary waste management development will be granted where satisfactory provision has been made for high standards of restoration and aftercare such that the intended after-use of the site is achieved in a timely manner, including where necessary for its long-term management.

Restoration plans should be submitted with the planning application which reflect the proposed after-use and, where appropriate, include the details set out below:

  1. a site-based landscape strategy for the restoration scheme
  2. the key landscape and biodiversity opportunities and constraints ensuring connectivity with surrounding landscape and habitats
  3. the geological, archaeological and historic heritage and landscape features and their settings
  4. the site boundaries and areas identified for soil and overburden storage
  5. an assessment of soil resources and their removal, handling and storage
  6. an assessment of the overburden to be removed and stored
  7. the type and depth of workings and information relating to the water table
  8. storage locations and quantities of waste/fill materials and quantities and types of waste/fill involved
  9. proposed infilling operations, sources and types of fill material
  10. the arrangements for monitoring and the control and management of landfill gas
  11. consideration of land stability after restoration
  12. directions and phasing of working and restoration and how they are integrated into the working scheme
  13. the need for and provision of additional screening taking account of degrees of visual exposure
  14. details of the proposed final landform including pre and post settlement levels
  15. types, quantities and source of soils or soil making materials to be used
  16. a methodology for management of soils to ensure that the pre-development soil quality is maintained
  17. proposals for meeting targets or biodiversity gain in relation to the Kent Priority Habitats (or its replacement), the Kent Biodiversity Opportunity Areas and the Greater Thames Marshes Nature Improvement area
  18. removal of all buildings, plant, structures, accesses and hardstanding not required for long term management of the site
  19. planting of new native woodlands
  20. installation of drainage to enable high quality restoration and after-use
  21. measures to incorporate flood risk mitigation opportunities
  22. details of the seeding of grass or other crops and planting of trees, shrubs and hedges
  23. a programme of aftercare to include details of vegetation establishment, vegetation management, biodiversity habitat management, field drainage, irrigation and watering facilities
  24. the restoration of the majority of the site back to agriculture, if the site consists of the best and most versatile agricultural land

Aftercare schemes should incorporate an aftercare period of at least five years. Where appropriate, voluntary longer periods for certain uses will be sought through agreement between the applicant and minerals planning authority.

For more information please see the Kent Minerals and Waste Local Plan