Agenda item

Habitat Regulations Assessment In relation to a planning application code no: NP/DDD/0815/0780 which seeks to amend or remove planning conditions 2 (duration), 3 (operating programme), 5 (areas of working), 15 - 16 (underground working), 19 (mineral extraction areas), 39 - 41 (soil removal and storage), 45 - 46 (processing), 69 (archaeology), 74 - 75 (ecology and wildlife), 77 (restoration of Deep Rake and The Beeches), 78 (restoration scheme for Bow Rake/High Rake), 80 (date for scheme for reinstatement of Watersaw Mine Compound) and 85 (date for removal of all plant and structures from site) of planning permission NP/DDD/0804/0947: Extend the period of restoration of the remaining opencast workings by 20 years to November 2035, amend the final restoration levels of Bow Rake/High Rake and allow the continuation of underground mining at Watersaw Mine over the same period, Longstone Edge West

Minutes:

The Officer confirmed that  Members had received 2 slightly amended reports, with minor alterations including an additional appendix on the Habitat Regulations Report.  The Officer then went on to introduce the report and explained that the development had a potential to have an impact on and SAC at Combs Dale, but because of the nature of the development, the Authority is able to screen out  the development whether or not permission is granted, so the proposal is then unlikely to have an impact on the SAC.

 

The Officer recommendation to approve the recommendation was moved, seconded, put to the vote and carried.

 

 

RESOLVED:

 

 

1.         That this report, and its appendices, be adopted as the Authority’s Habitat Regulations Assessment in relation to the proposed development at Longstone Edge West, as defined in planning application NP/DDD/0815/0780.

 

2.         It is determined that continued restoration of Bow Rake-High Rake and resumption of underground working at Watersaw Mine in accordance with the proposed scheme of working is unlikely to have a significant effect on the integrity of a European designated site. Thus, approval of application NP/DDD/0815/0780, the subject of a separate report to Planning Committee, would not be contrary to the provisions of Regulation 61 of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 (as amended) (the ‘Habitats Regulations’) and the EU Habitats Directive and an Appropriate Assessment is not considered necessary.

  

 

 

 

Supporting documents: