(a) The need to maintain a supply of reserves with planning permission (i.e. a landbank) of both sand and gravel, and also sandstone and gritstone, which is in accordance with national guidance contained in MPG6 "Guidelines for Aggregates Provision in England", as interpreted by the North West Aggregates Working Party, and

(b) The contribution the proposal can make towards maintaining the Greater Manchester share of the regional production of aggregates, as expressed in the most recent Regional Interpretation of the Guidelines for Aggregates Provision.

Whilst Greater Manchester is likely to remain a net importer of aggregate minerals, it has been accepted by the North West Aggregates Working Party (N.W.A.W.P.) and embodied in the Greater Manchester Structure Plan that the county's present share of regional production should be maintained. The regional forecasts will be monitored by the N.W.A.W.P. in future surveys and reconsidered in their commentaries as and when appropriate. Strategic Guidance states that Greater Manchester's continuing role in the national and regional production of minerals should take account of the N.W.A.W.P.

This Plan takes a wholly criteria based approach to the determination of any future planning applications for mineral extraction and Policy M2 is an important, although not sole, consideration in this approach. However, in circumstances where permitted County reserves already exceed the requirements, even greater weight is likely to be attached to the environmental implications of the proposal.

(a) The existing environment of dwellings or other environmentally sensitive properties will not be unacceptably harmed, in terms of visual amenity, noise, dust, air pollution, water pollution or other nuisance, and;

(b) There will be no unacceptable effect on water supply, land drainage, quality of controlled waters or flood control, and;

(c) Access arrangements are satisfactory and the traffic generated will neither cause undue nuisance to properties adjoining routes used by this traffic nor adversely affect road safety anywhere between the site and the strategic highway network, and;

(d) Undue harm will not be caused to the viability of agricultural holdings, nor will there be an unacceptable loss of the best and most versatile agricultural land, taking into account the quality of restoration likely to be achieved following mineral exploitation, and

(e) Any effect on the setting of listed buildings, ancient monuments or Conservation Areas will be acceptable, and;

(f) Local features of landscape, woodland, ecological, archaeological or geological interest within the site will be protected or suitably replaced or relocated, and

(g) No undue harm will be caused to areas of recreational use or potential, high landscape value, river valleys or ecological importance, and;

(h) Except for coal, there is a demonstrable need for the mineral, taking into account its quality and its proposed market, and

(i) Adequate reserves of the mineral in terms of both quality and quantity have been proved, and;

(j) The working of other mineral deposits of significant value will not be prevented, and;

(k) The extent of active workings in a particular locality will not be increased to an excessive degree, and;

(l) Working methods will not result in the sterilisation of significant quantities of minerals within the site or in the adjacent area, and;

(m) In the case of proposals for the working of sandstone, gritstone and coal, extraction and the storage of overburden will not take place within 200 metres of a significant number of dwellings or other environmentally sensitive properties, and

(n) Existing transport routes will be retained and protected, and;

(o) The proposal includes a satisfactory scheme of working and landscaping, providing for progressive working and restoration in the case of extensive workings, and;

(p) Satisfactory provision will be made for the processing and disposal of the mineral, and;

(q) Satisfactory provision will be made for the disposal of mineral waste, and;

(r) Where appropriate, satisfactory provision will be made for screening and landscaping whilst working is in progress, and

(s) A satisfactory scheme of restoration and, where
appropriate, aftercare is proposed, allowing for the possibility in suitable cases of after-use for nature conservation.

This policy sets out the various stringent criteria which must therefore be met before future mineral working can be considered acceptable in principle on any particular site. They cover a wide range of environmental and operational concerns within the site itself, in the surrounding area and on the approach roads, and also take in the need, quality, quantity and effective working of the mineral itself.

All proposals for mineral working must show, among other things, that the site can be adequately screened, worked and restored, that processing and transport of the mineral will not give rise to planning problems in themselves and that there are adequate means of disposing of waste generated from the mineral working. These are matters which previously have not always been properly dealt with, leading to nuisance while sites are in operation and leaving a legacy of dereliction. The criteria are largely carried forward from Policies 7 and 8 of the Greater Manchester Minerals Local Plan.

(a) Limit the period of operations, and;

(b) Control levels of noise and vibration, and;

(c) Control hours of working and maintenance, and;

(d) Ensure satisfactory access to the site, and;

(e) Prevent or control the production of polluted water and dust, and;

(f) Control the impact of blasting, and;

(g) Ensure the satisfactory disposal of waste materials, and;

(h) Limit the visual impact of the development, and;

(i) Ensure the stability of surrounding land, and;

(j) Ensure that the site is satisfactorily restored.

This will be done in consultation with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food or the Forestry Commission as appropriate.

In suitable cases, restoration for nature conservation may be regarded as an acceptable end use.

The policy also acknowledges that in some cases it may not be appropriate to use filling materials at all, or other than on a small scale, to achieve satisfactory restoration, such as where the new landform could provide a valuable new habitat or a geological or biological feature of value for nature conservation. In appropriate cases, the Council will support proposals for restoration of sites for nature conservation as an end use in itself. However, in such cases, the proposed restoration of the site must still meet the after-use objectives of the project. This policy is a slightly modified version of Policy 10 of the Greater Manchester Minerals Local Plan.

Where another form of development is otherwise acceptable the Council will be prepared to consider the economic viability and appropriateness of the prior extraction of minerals before this proceeds.

Such workings will be included within comprehensive landscaping or restoration schemes, or both, when extensions to the workings are under consideration.

The provision of rail or water links to existing and new mineral workings will also be encouraged if practical.

The opportunities which landfill may in some cases provide for landscape improvement or recreational development will also be taken into account.

Recent legislative changes affecting local authority involvement in waste disposal also make it more difficult to plan ahead for such operations on any strategic basis. Whilst there will probably be greater pressure on local authorities to find disposal sites within their own areas, decisions by waste producers and operators seem likely to be taken on mostly commercial grounds.

The disposal of inert wastes in particular as landfill can in suitable instances result in the long term improvement of agricultural land and the removal of eyesores from the landscape, or the creation of new open areas for leisure uses, woodland or other wildlife habitats. This policy is intended to ensure that the right balance can be struck between the need to provide these facilities and the contentious environmental issues raised by their presence.

(a) The particular need is demonstrated in relation to the types and amounts of materials involved, and;

(b) The existing environment of dwellings, or other 
environmentally sensitive properties, will not be unacceptably harmed in terms of visual amenity, ground or water contamination, noise, smell, dust, vermin or vibration, and

(c) There will be no unacceptable effect on land drainage or water supply, and the site will not be situated within a flood plain, and;

(d) Access arrangements are satisfactory, and the traffic generated will neither cause undue harm to occupiers of properties adjoining routes used by this traffic, nor adversely affect road safety anywhere between the site and the strategic highway network, and

(e) Undue harm will not be caused to the viability of agricultural holdings nor will there be an unacceptable loss of the best and most versatile agricultural land, taking into account the quality of restoration likely to be achieved following the completion of disposal operations, and

(f) Any effect on the setting of listed buildings, ancient 
monuments or Conservation Areas will  be acceptable, and;

(g) Local features of landscape, ecological, archaeological or geological interest  within the site will be protected, or suitably replaced or relocated, and

(h) No undue harm will be caused to areas of recreational use or potential, high landscape value, river valleys or ecological importance, and;

(i) If mineral extraction is a viable and appropriate use of the land, mineral deposits will not be sterilised, and;

(j) A satisfactory scheme of working is proposed, incorporating provision for site security and the containment and management within the site boundaries of materials which are deposited or generated from the site, whilst providing for progressive working in the case of extensive sites, and;

(k) Screening and landscaping will be provided at sites which are intended to be operational for more than two years, and;

(l) Satisfactory site restoration will be provided and, in appropriate cases, progressive restoration undertaken whilst the site is being used for waste disposal, and;

(m) Satisfactory aftercare of the land and works will be 
undertaken. 

When considering the adequacy of proposed schemes of restoration or aftercare of sites used for waste disposal, the Council will, wherever appropriate, consult with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

The success of recycling schemes can stand or fall upon economics and market demand for a product, waste paper being a good example, but much also depends on the enthusiasm of the public and their willingness to take the trouble to separate items. In future there may be a need for more restrictions to be placed upon what may be deposited in the general waste bins which are collected.

However, it is important not only to ensure that the present level of service is maintained but also to explore opportunities for improving the quality of provision of civic amenity facilities and their accessibility for local residents and trades people, to further encourage their beneficial use. In addition, privately operated waste transfer stations can fulfil a recycling as well as a disposal function.

The basic objective behind this policy is to create and maintain a safe, healthy and enjoyable local environment, and the more specific ways in which this will be tackled are the subject of several Part 2 policies in this topic chapter, along with elements of policies in other chapters. It is unlikely that all such problems can be eliminated, at least in the short term, for reasons such as the extent of investment tied up in existing plant, the state of technology, the possible implications for employment, the costs which could fall upon the Council, and the legal powers available. The policy will nevertheless underlie the Council's approach to all developments where hazards or pollution could be involved.

It is recognised that many aspects of pollution control are already regulated by other legislation and statutory bodies, and it is not intention of the local planning authority to duplicate these.  However, whilst for established operations reliance must mostly or entirely be placed on these regulatory systems, consideration of potential hazards and pollution remains a relevant factor when determining planning applications for extensions or alterations to certain industrial or storage sites, or for the introduction of new uses of this kind.  Such considerations may also be relevant where new development, e.g. housing, is proposed in the vicinity of plant or storage with a known hazard potential.

(a) The effects of decomposition have finished, or

(b) Landfill gas will be safely dispersed or removed before development takes place, or that

(c) Appropriate measures will be taken during construction work and within the development itself to avoid any potential hazard.

The deposit of decomposable material inevitably causes the generation of landfill gas which can pose the dual threats of explosion and asphyxiation and may continue for many years after the tip has closed. Moreover, landfill gas can migrate over considerable distances into adjacent land and property. The sites which are gassing, or could do so in the future, are now known and techniques are available to deal with the problem. It is therefore vital for the Council to be certain that a developer can deal with these problems where they arise before any planning permission is granted.

(a) Appropriate investigations have been carried out to 
establish the nature of the contamination and its potential impact on the development, and that;

(b) Where necessary suitable measures will be taken to 
remove or treat the contamination or to protect the development from its effects.

Development which results in the disturbance of contaminated ground will be strictly controlled, to ensure that surface water run-off does not give rise to pollution problems, and also that groundwater resources are not threatened.

Particular attention needs to be paid to the protection of groundwater resources which may be under threat due to discharge, seepage or drainage, resulting from the redevelopment of a contaminated site. Once groundwater has been contaminated it is difficult if not impossible to rehabilitate it. The responsibility for complying with these safeguards rests with the developer. 

This policy is also intended to cover the situation where contaminated land has been effectively abandoned, and where the only remedy is reclamation through the Council's Derelict Land Programme.  In order to maximise the funds available for reclamation it will normally be necessary for the Council to acquire the site, although it can be sold on for development once treatment has been completed.  There may also be instances where schemes initiated by the private sector on contaminated sites could lead to the removal or suitable treatment of the contamination, thereby making the land available again for beneficial use at no cost to the public purse.

Where appropriate, conditions may be attached to a planning permission in order to safeguard against the loss of amenity which may be caused by pollution or waste resulting from the operation of a development, or to establish acceptable levels which should not be breached.

Where necessary, advice will be sought from the relevant pollution control authorities, or from other suitable experts at the planning application stage, in order to ascertain the extent to which a development is likely to be a source of pollution or waste.  Where developments are permitted, any emissions may be monitored to ensure compliance with conditions which may be imposed.

Pollution control can be a complex and scientific subject
requiring specialist expertise, and the responsibility for assessment and monitoring does not in many instances rest with the Council alone, but also involves other Governmental agencies.  It is not the intention of the local planning authority to duplicate the functions of these agencies.

However, whilst the Council is in a position to determine whether new developments with possible pollution control implications should be granted planning permission, specialist and technical advice will often need to be sought from the relevant pollution control or regulatory body.  It would clearly not be sensible to grant planning permission for a development for which a necessary pollution control authorization is unlikely to be forthcoming.  Where a development is acceptable in principle, it is also reasonable to attach conditions to any planning permission in order to safeguard against loss of amenity or other adverse effects which may be caused by pollution or waste.

Although the N.R.A. is well placed to influence some of the factors responsible for the functioning of the hydrological system, it has very little control over land use change on a catchment wide basis. The N.R.A. therefore wishes to work closely with planning authorities in order to advise them on measures to minimise the impact of development on the aquatic environment and welcomes the inclusion of land use policies which reflect their concerns. (This paragraph also forms part of the justification / explanation for Policies M27 and M28) 

Deteriorating water quality caused by surface or waste water discharge can affect the supply of water for domestic, industrial and agricultural uses, general amenity, water based recreation, fisheries and nature conservation. Ground water resources can be polluted by activities such as effluent soakaways, unsealed landfilling, inappropriate storage of chemicals or disturbance of contaminated sites, and prevention or reduction of such pollution is better than subsequent clean up. River corridors are of great importance for the aspects already mentioned and new development should not place these at risk. Improving the quality of their water and natural features will enhance the river corridor environment for a variety of activities. 

This policy does not set out to duplicate regulatory or monitoring functions which are exercised by the NRA or other relevant bodies. However, where in consultation with the NRA or other bodies, it appears that a development for which planning permission is sought is likely to have adverse effects on watercourses etc., it is appropriate for this factor to be taken into account in the determination of the planning application, rather than hoping that the inevitable problems can be rectified once the development is in operation.

In considering development proposals within the consultation distances of existing notifiable installations, the Council will take account of the advice it receives from the Health and Safety Executive about the risks to the proposed development from those installations.

The planning controls can work in two ways. Where a new or extended notifiable installation is proposed, the Council's decision will take into account the risks it might pose to the surrounding population. Where notifiable installations already exist, the H.S.E. has established consultation distances around them with the object of controlling the kinds of development permitted in their vicinity. Thus, where new development is proposed in these areas, the decision will take into account the risk it faces from the existing installation.

This policy does not set out to duplicate regulatory or monitoring functions that are exercised by the HSE or other bodies, such as on the safety of existing operations.  However, consideration of the effects of hazardous installations is an established and worthwhile feature of the planning system, which the Council is continuing to recognise in line with the HSE's expectations.

To carry out its obligations, NWW makes use of often extensive installations such as reservoirs, water treatment plants and waste water treatment works, all of which are on operational land. Further development of facilities may be required on at least some of these sites to enable N.W.W. to meet current and future requirements placed upon it. Whilst necessary developments of operational facilities on the sites will normally be supported in principle, more detailed aspects will be required to be consistent with other policies, such as those concerned with landscape or the built environment.

Many of the NWW operational sites lie within the Green Belt, and others fall within areas which in this Plan may be zoned as "other protected open land". The policies applying to these zones do not refer specifically to water company operational needs, and indeed are concerned basically with controlling urban development.  Although it is not considered appropriate to zone water company sites for their existing uses, policies M25 and M26 are intended to provide the necessary reassurance that developments for operational purposes are in most cases likely to be regarded as acceptable.

The Council will discourage the proliferation of small private sewage plants within sewered areas, and infill development where septic tanks are proposed will only be permitted where ground conditions are satisfactory and the plot is of sufficient size to provide an adequate subsoil drainage system.

(a) At direct risk from flooding, or;

(b) Likely to increase the risk of flooding elsewhere, or;

(c) Likely to obstruct the flow of flood waters.

Where development in such areas is permitted, appropriate flood protection and mitigation measures will generally be required as part of the development. Where practical, areas adjacent to watercourses will be preserved or created to allow access for maintenance purposes.

(a) Access for construction traffic can be provided without danger to highway safety or significant damage to the environment, and

(b) There will be no significant detriment to wildlife or areas of scientific or archaeological interest, and

(c) There will be no unacceptable damage to landscape
quality or visual amenity, and

(d) No significant harm will be caused to the amenities of neighbouring occupiers through noise emission, visual dominance, shadow flicker or reflected light, and

(e) No unacceptable electromagnetic disturbance will be caused to existing transmitting or receiving systems, or adequate measures will be taken to remedy or mitigate any such disturbance  which may be caused, and

(f) No unacceptable damage will be caused to the appearance of the area by transmission lines between the development and their point of connection to the national grid, and

(g) Realistic means are put forward for securing the removal of any plant, buildings or structures when they become redundant, and for satisfactory restoration of the site.

The Council recognises Government policy and the contribution that renewable energy sources may make to global conservation. However, wind turbines are usually very visible and can be intrusive in the landscape. A typical, medium sized wind farm can consist of 10 to 25 individual turbines with rotor blade diameters of 30 - 40 metres and hub heights of 30 - 50 metres. Generally these are sited 150 to 300 metres apart. Bearing in mind the open and elevated character of the countryside where proposals are most likely to be made, the Council will wish to exercise careful control over renewable energy development, although there is no objection in principle.