Minerals Planning – Coal and Related Development
Heaton Planning provide minerals planning guidance and planning and environmental services to a number of coal producing companies in the UK. We have successfully obtained Planning Permission for new surface coal mine sites, extensions to existing surface coal mine sites, extensions to deep mine coal workings, and for the disposal of colliery spoil. We have also obtained Planning Permission for a clean coal technology power station development and are currently in the process of securing permission for the required infrastructure to facilitate this.
In providing minerals planning guidance and advice for coal and related developments Heaton Planning pay full regard to the minerals planning guidance provided at the national level. In England this is contained in Minerals Planning Guidance Note 3 (MPG3), in Wales this is contained in Mineral Planning Policy Wales (MPPW) and Minerals Technical Advice Note 2: Coal (MTAN2) and in Scotland within Scottish Planning Policy (SPP). Heaton Planning has a strong track record in presenting the planning arguments for new coal mining development and has considerable experience in handling important issues like need and supply, potential alternatives and the assessment of cumulative impact.
Relevant experience where we have provided minerals planning services on coal extraction include:
Surface Mine Projects
Long Moor Surface Mine, Leicestershire
Client: UK Coal
Heaton Planning represented UK Coal as expert planning witness at the Public Inquiry into the refusal of Planning Permission. The Appeal was upheld and Planning Permission granted by the Secretary of State.
Oxcroft Coal Disposal Point, Derbyshire
Client: UK Coal
Heaton Planning submitted a Planning Application for surface mining of coal to avoid sterilisation of coal reserves prior to site restoration. Planning Permission granted.
Butterwell Coal Disposal Point, Northumberland
Client: UK Coal
Heaton Planning assisted UK Coal in the preparation of a Planning Application and Environmental Statement for a surface mining operation. During determination we assisted with further assessment work and submissions, leading to the grant of Planning Permission.
Lodge House – Extension to Surface Mine, Derbyshire
Client: UK Coal
Heaton Planning has prepared and submitted a Planning Application and Environmental Statement for an extension to existing surface mining operations. During determination we have assisted in negotiations with the main parties and prepared supplementary submissions.
Cutacre Surface Mine, Bolton
Client: UK Coal
Heaton Planning prepared, submitted and negotiated a set of footpath diversions.
Hirwaun Conveyor Site, South Wales
Client: UK Coal
Heaton Planning undertook a Site Appraisal for potential coal recovery and regenerative development.
Deep Mining and Associated Development
Kellingley Colliery, North Yorkshire
Client: UK Coal
Heaton Planning prepared and submitted a Planning Application and supporting information for an extension to deep mine coal reserves. Planning Permission was granted.
Maltby Colliery, Rotherham
Client: UK Coal
Heaton Planning prepared and submitted a Planning Application and supporting information for an extension to deep mine coal reserves. Planning Permission was granted.
Hatfield Colliery, Doncaster
Client: Powerfuel
Heaton Planning prepared and submitted a Planning Application and supporting information for the construction of a new colliery winding tower. Planning Permission was granted.
Forward Planning
Representations made by Heaton Planning on Council planning policy approach and the promotion of surface and some deep mined coal sites in Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Staffordshire, and Warwickshire.
Heaton Planning has also promoted new colliery spoil disposal sites in Doncaster. This work has included the carrying out of a formal evaluation of spoil disposal options to sustain coal supply in the Borough.