Policy information sourced from the Kent Minerals and Waste Local Plan

DM 2 Environmental and Landscape Sites of International, National and Local Importance

Proposals for minerals and/or waste development will be required to ensure that there is no unacceptable adverse impact on the integrity, character, appearance and function, biodiversity interests, or geological interests of sites of international, national and local importance.

1. International Sites

Minerals and/or waste proposals located within or considered likely to have any unacceptable adverse impact on international designated sites, including Ramsar, Special Protection Areas and Special Areas of Conservation (European Sites), will need to be evaluated in combination with other projects and plans. Before any such proposal will be granted planning permission or identified in the Minerals and Waste Sites Plans, it will need to be demonstrated that:

  • there are no alternatives
  • there is a robust case established as to why there are imperative reasons of overriding public interest
  • there is sufficient provision for adequate timely compensation

2. National Sites

2.1 Designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)(101) have the highest status of protection in relation to landscape and scenic beauty. Regard must be had to the purpose of the designation when exercising or performing any functions in relation to, or so as to affect land, in an AONB. For the purposes of this policy, such functions include the determination of planning applications and the allocation of sites in a development plan.

Planning permission for major minerals and waste development in a designated AONB will be refused except in exceptional circumstances and where it can be demonstrated that it is in public interest. In relation to other minerals or waste proposals in an AONB, great weight will be given to conserving its landscape and scenic beauty. Proposals outside, but within the setting of an AONB will be considered having regard to the effect on the purpose of conserving and enhancing the natural beauty of the AONB.

Consideration of such applications will assess;

  • the need for the development, including in terms of any national considerations and the impact of granting, or refusing, the proposal upon the local economy
  • the cost of, and scope for developing elsewhere outside the designated area, or meeting the need in some other way
  • any detrimental impact on the environment, the landscape and recreational opportunities, and the extent to which the impact could be moderated taking account of the relevant AONB Management Plan.

Sites put forward for allocation for minerals or waste development in the Minerals Site Plan or the Waste Sites Plan will be considered having regard to the above tests. Those that appear to the Minerals and Waste Planning Authority to be unlikely to meet the relevant test(s) will not be allocated.

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