Herefordshire Council’s Cabinet today voted to recommend the Herefordshire Minerals and Waste Local Plan (MWLP) to full Council.
The MWLP outlines the council’s preferred strategy for meeting Herefordshire’s minerals and waste needs up to the year 2041. It establishes targets and planning policies relating to minerals and waste activities and associated development in Herefordshire.
It has been produced taking account of the National Planning Policy Framework, up to date evidence base studies, collaborative working with statutory undertakers and ensuring close cooperation with neighbouring local authorities on cross-boundary issues.
The MWLP was also vigorously tested at an independent examination chaired by a Planning Inspector appointed by the Planning Inspectorate, and once adopted, the MWLP will be an element of the Herefordshire Local Plan.
Cllr Elissa Swinglehurst, Cabinet Member Environment, said: “The MWLP has been prepared with due regard for all relevant local plans and strategies, most notably the priorities of the County Plan; it reflects the council’s commitment to protecting and enhancing the environment and supporting the local economy by building on the county’s strengths and resources.
“The Plan promotes appropriate development to meet the recognised market needs for both minerals and waste, whilst ensuring that detrimental impacts are minimized and opportunities for betterment are optimised.
“The MWLP will ensure resources are used efficiently, through identifying sites for future minerals extraction which are necessary over the plan period (to 2041) and will encourage the use of secondary and recycled materials in preference to the extraction of primary materials. It will see an increase in the amount of waste re-used, recycled or used to recover energy and a decrease in the amount of waste disposed to landfill and help to prevent pollution.”
More information can be found in the meeting papers.