Annual Monitoring Report
The Headlines
Welcome to our new look Annual Monitoring Report for 2022 - 2023.
As explained in previous reports, legislation requires local planning authorities to publish information at least annually that shows progress with plan preparation; and reports any information which relates to the monitoring of Local Plans and the effect of their policies and proposals, including any policies which are not being implemented. It also suggests that the report can help inform whether there is a need to undertake a partial or full update of the local plan.
This document has been prepared to meet that obligation. It is designed to provide a quick assessment of how effectively our Minerals and Waste Local Plans, known formally as the Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Waste Local Plan (2010-2030) and the Minerals Local Plan for Staffordshire (2015-2030), are achieving their aims, and how we are doing as we work to implement them. It is structured around a series of headline statements, but if you want to find out more about the evidence we have used, then please consult the accompanying Background Report.
Based on the findings of this report, there is no current indication to suggest that we need to update either our Waste Local Plan or the Minerals Local Plan as we still have sufficient permitted mineral reserves, we have adequate facilities to process our waste, and our policies are working well, so there is still no immediate need to update our plans. Consequently, there is also no need to confirm a programme (or Minerals and Waste Development Scheme) for further plan preparation.
For future Annual Monitoring Reports, we will need to consider the government’s ongoing review of the National Planning Policy Framework; the government’s new wide ranging Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023 (LURA) which contains new powers related to the plan-making system. In addition, the introduction of Bio-diversity Net Gain (BNG) in January 2024 will require that we monitor and record all BNG connected with planning applications for which we are the planning authority.
Discussion:
The 10-year average sales of sand and gravel from Staffordshire sites is 4.722 million tonnes. This is less than the level of provision made under Policy 1 of the Minerals Local Plan (MLP) i.e., 5 million tonnes of sand and gravel per annum, used to assess the allocation of additional sand and gravel resources to meet needs up to the end of 2030. Using the MLP level of provision of 5 million tonnes per annum would mean the landbank of permitted reserves as of 1 January 2023 would last for 12.3 years. This exceeds the target of maintaining a 7-year landbank.
Trend:
2020: Yes
2021: Yes
2022: Yes
Background:
For data refer to our Local Aggregate Assessment which is based on annual surveys carried out on behalf of the West Midlands Aggregate Working Party..
Discussion:
This indicator relies on data collected approximately every 3 years. The last survey was carried out in 2023.
Permitted reserves of limestone at Cauldon, and of Gypsum and Anhydrite at Fauld can be reasonably expected to still exceed 15 years supply as required by Policy 2 of the Minerals Local Plan. However, permitted reserves of shale at Cauldon do not, but an extension to the shale quarry at Cauldon is allocated in the MLP and an application has been now received in relation to the allocation. If permitted, this would increase shale reserves which based on current consumption at the cement works would provide a stock of shale reserves amounting to 31 years. The same application includes proposals for developing Cauldon Limestone Quarry serving the cement works together with the adjacent Cauldon Low Quarry, and if permitted, the proposals would secure a stock of limestone reserves of 67 years for the Cauldon Cement Works (SCC/22/0136/FULL-ES).
In relation to permitted reserves at Fauld Mine a permission was issued in January 2023 for the extension and consolidation of a permissions at Fauld Mine. The proposed extension involves 3 million tonnes of gypsum and anhydrite which at current rates of output amount to a 10-year stock of reserves (ES.19/02/504 M). These reserves combined with permitted reserves within other parts of the mine, result in a stock of reserves exceeding the minimum requirement of Policy 2 of MLP.
Proposals for the extension to Fauld Mine were considered to satisfactorily address the development considerations for the allocated extension to the mine. The reserves in the southern extension area of Fauld Mine are to be extracted in conjunction with permitted reserves in another part of the mine to achieve a blend of cement rock which meets the required cement rock specification and thereby, reduces the need to import gypsum from other mines for blending purposes.
Note that clay extracted from Keele and Kingsley Quarries in Staffordshire continues to be used to supply Tunstead cement works in Derbyshire.
Trend:
2020: Yes
2021: Yes
2022: Yes
Background:
Results for 2022/23 survey were undertaken confidentially by Staffordshire County Council.
Discussion:
National planning policy requires that there is a steady and adequate supply of brick clay to support the continued operation of brick and tile works and this means ensuring that each clay product works is supported with a stock of permitted reserves for 25 years of supply. For the purposes of the Minerals Local Plan, data is collected in a periodic, confidential survey, but the data cannot be made public as they are commercially sensitive.
The most recent survey carried out in 2023, found that the Lodge Lane Works in Cannock was the only works in the county to have at least 25 years’ supply of clay. The works at Wilnecote in Tamworth does not have a 25 years’ stock but a permission was granted on 30 April 2019 (ref: T.16/02/905 MW) that allowed for the extraction of an additional 10 years’ supply of clay. The Works also receives clays not locally derived (refer to permission T.18/01/905 MW granted March 2019). Supply of clay to the three works in the north of the county (i.e., Parkhouse, Chesterton and Keele) is based on supply from Knutton Quarry in Newcastle-under-Lyme. The stock of reserves is less than 25 years to maintain supply to all three works.
Note that clay extracted in Staffordshire is also used to support brick and tile manufacturing at works outside the county, some of which do not have associated clay quarries to provide their main supply. Whilst maintaining such supplies to works outside the county is supported by national policy, it is not a current requirement of the MLP for Staffordshire to monitor the landbanks for clay product works outside the county.
Trend:
2020: Mixed response
2021: Mixed response
2022: Mixed response
Background:
Results for 2022/23 based on a Periodic Confidential Survey of Industrial Minerals undertaken confidentially by Staffordshire County Council.
Discussion:
An application was granted permission to allow for the additional release for the working of 1.5 million tonnes of sand and gravel at Croxden Quarry. The permission granted at Croxden Quarry did not relate to the allocated land at Croxden but was justified in terms of the requirements of policy 1.6 of the Minerals Local Plan.
Trend:
2020 - 2021: Yes
2021 - 2022: Yes
2022 - 2023: Yes
Background:
Refer to list of mineral planning applications determined 1/4/22 – 31/3/23.
Discussion:
Overall, we are taking available steps to reduce the impact of mineral workings on the environment in accordance with Policies 4 and 6 of the MLP..
Trend:
2020 - 2021: Yes
2021 - 2022: Yes
2022 - 2023: Yes
Background:
Refer to the list of mineral planning applications determined 1/4/2022 – 31/3/2023.
Discussion:
During 2022/23, we were consulted by District Borough Councils on 24 planning applications for non-mineral development which fell within Mineral safeguarding Areas and were not exempt from consideration or subject to Standing Advice.
In all cases, except one, we were able to conclude that the proposals would be unlikely to lead to the sterilisation of significant mineral resources and therefore did not conflict with the requirements of Policy 3 of the Minerals Local Plan.
We did record one holding objection in relation to a consultation from East Staffordshire Borough Council in connection with an application for residential development at Chapel Lane, Rangemore, Burton-Upon-Trent. The holding objection was later withdrawn when it was demonstrated that there would be no significant adverse effect on permitted reserves to be extracted at Fauld Mine.
Trend:
2020 - 2021: Yes
2021 - 2022: Yes
2022 - 2023: Yes
Background:
Refer to responses to consultations received from District Planning Authorities as recorded in Staffordshire County Council records.
Discussion:
The West Midlands Aggregates Working Party (WMAWP) exists to provide a forum to bring Minerals Planning Authorities together to produce “fit-for-purpose” and comprehensive data on aggregates, to support local planning on the provision of aggregates, and to ensure compliance with the Duty to Cooperate. We continue to be represented at all the meetings.
Note also the findings for headline statement 7 under the waste section below regarding attendance of the RTAB.
Trend:
2020 - 2021: Yes
2021 - 2022: Yes
2022 - 2023: Yes
Background:
The West Midlands Aggregate Working Party has been established as a technical advisory group of mineral planning authorities and other relevant organisations covering the West Midlands Region.
Discussion:
Restoration plans are important to ensure that quarries are reinstated at the earliest opportunity and that works are carried out to high environmental standards.
Of the 24 permitted aggregate sites (21 are Sand and Gravel and 3 are Crushed Rock sites) within the Plan area, four have no approved restoration strategy or detailed scheme. This is mainly because the quarries are non-operational and have not been subject to a recent review.
Trend:
2020 - 2021: Almost
2021 - 2022: Almost
2022 - 2023: Almost
Background:
SCC data obtained from planning permission relating to all quarry sites.
Discussion:
An interim review of the Minerals Local Plan as published as an appendix to the Annual Monitoring Report in December 2018, concluding that there was no need for a revision.
Since then, there have been no significant changes to national policy, as might affect the MLP. At the time of writing, changes to the planning system have been introduced through the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023 (LURA), but we await regulations and guidance on how they may impact on planning for minerals.
The Plan policies are working as intended. Plan targets are being met, and there have been no significant changes to strategic priorities, or local circumstances.
As before, we are aware of the continuing need to monitor the provision of aggregates in light of anticipated demands resulting from the construction of the HS2 railway (having regard to the recent government announcement of its intention to cancel HS2 Phase 2a).
Trend:
2020 - 2021: No
2021 - 2022: No
2022 - 2023: No
Background:
There have been no changes to national minerals policy in the NPPF policy since the last AMR was published, and the MLP remains consistent.
Demand for sand and gravel remains in line with planned provision and the impact of the construction of HS2 on sales and reserves of construction aggregates continues to be monitored.
Discussion:
Reliable estimates of total waste arisings have been difficult to produce, though the Environment Agency’s recently modified Waste Data Interrogator has proved useful. A 5-year review of the Waste Local Plan (published in December 2018) relied on population as a proxy. This suggested that arisings were unlikely to exceed forecasts within the plan period. This appears to be consistent with Environment Agency data for the total amount of waste treated in the plan area, though the origin of this waste is not recorded.
More reliable figures are available for Municipal Solid Waste, which makes up less than 10% of total arisings. The total figure is well below the original Regional Waste Forecast for both 2015/16 and 2020/21, while the landfill diversion percentages are significantly higher than the regional forecast.
Trend:
2020 - 2021: Yes
2021 - 2022: Yes
2022 - 2023: Yes
Background:
Data collected from: 5-year Review of the Waste Local Plan (published December 2018); Environment Agency’s 2020 Waste Data Interrogator (Last Updated June 2023); Staffordshire County Council and Stoke-on-Trent City Council municipal waste management data; Appendices of the Waste Local Plan.
Discussion:
The number of waste related planning applications during the reporting period was small and whilst they related to existing waste treatment facilities, none led to an increase in treatment capacity or an increase in the number of operational sites. The planning authority is also not aware of the permanent cessation of any existing waste management facility.
The Waste Local Plan set a series of targets for additional capacity for Recycling, Organic Treatment, and Residual Treatment to support a movement of waste up the treatment hierarchy. All of these have already been met on time or ahead of time, with the exception of the 2020/21 and 2025/26 targets for recycling capacity which are yet to be achieved.
The Government Announcement of reform to household and business waste collections including weekly collections of food waste introduced for most households across England by 2026 may however have implications. There may be a need for additional waste management facilities/capacity to transfer, sort and process waste (e.g. to turn waste food into energy at anaerobic digestion facilities). However, at this stage, in the absence of an updated Municipal Waste Management Strategy produced by the Staffordshire districts/boroughs (the waste collection authorities) and the County Council (the waste disposal authority), there is no immediate need to plan for new facilities/capacity.
Besides, the Waste Local Plan is working well using criteria-based policies for such applications, to ensure that they are developed in the right place and there is no reason to suggest an immediate need to change this approach. Nonetheless, any future review of the Plan will need to examine the capacity and number and type of waste management facilities required over the plan period to achieve net self-sufficiency; and the need for updated criteria for new facilities/technology.
Trend:
2020 - 2021: Yes
2021 - 2022: Yes
2022 - 2023: Yes
Background:
Data collected from: 5-year Review of the Waste Local Plan (published December 2018); and from planning applications.
Discussion:
While not all of the waste arising within the Plan area is treated within the Plan area, the amount of waste exported for treatment elsewhere is much smaller than the amount of waste imported for treatment. We are, therefore, treating an amount of waste which is equivalent to 251% of the amount generated in the Plan area.
Trend:
2020 - 2021: Yes
2021 - 2022: Yes
2022 - 2023: Yes
Background:
Based on Environment Agency’s 2021 Waste Data Interrogator (last updated June 2023).
Discussion:
Eight cases related to sites with existing waste-related permissions and two related to new sites. Of the ten applications during the reporting period only one was a new site which had the potential to add new waste treatment capacity (100,000 tpa of recycling capacity) but this application was withdrawn (March 2023). The other new site related to landfill /importation of waste to reprofile part of an existing golf course. The application was refused and the decision appealed. The Appeal Decision SCC/21/0033/FULL from the Secretary of State is awaited.
Trend:
2020 - 2021: Yes
2021 - 2022: Yes
2022 - 2023: Yes
Background:
Data from County Council’s applications register.
Discussion:
The County Council was consulted on 0 District/Borough Council applications which might have impacted on waste management facilities.
We continue to receive fewer waste consultation area (WCA) consultations than mineral safeguarding area (MSA) consultations. As discussed in previous reports, this may reflect the large geographic extent of the Mineral Safeguarding Areas in comparison to the relatively small areas where management facilities might be affected, and also the relative difficulty for local planning authorities to identify where WCA consultations would be appropriate.
All Local Planning Authority’s have been provided with GIS layers providing the locations of all waste sites that might require safeguarding.
Trend:
2020 - 2021: Yes
2021 - 2022: Yes
2022 - 2023: Yes
Background:
Data from County Council’s applications register.
Discussion:
The impacts of waste treatment facilities on the environment are being well managed. Potential impacts are being controlled through conditions.
Trend:
2020 - 2021: Yes
2021 - 2022: Yes
2022 - 2023: Yes
Background:
Data from County Council’s applications register.
Discussion:
Meetings of the West Midlands Resource Technical Advisory Body provide a forum to discuss regional issues relating to waste management provision, and to ensure compliance with the Duty to Cooperate. Though the frequency of meetings has declined in recent years, and they have moved online in response to Covid-19, Staffordshire County Council has been represented at all meetings and has been fully involved in discussions.
Trend:
2020 - 2021: Yes
2021 - 2022: Yes
2022 - 2023: Yes
Background:
Data from minutes of RTAB meetings.
Discussion:
A 5-year review of the Waste Local Plan was completed in December 2018 concluding that there was no need for a revision.
Since then, there have been no significant changes. The plan policies are working as intended, Plan targets are being met on time or ahead of schedule, and there have been no significant changes to National Planning Policy, strategic priorities, or local circumstance.
Trend:
2020 - 2021: No
2021 - 2022: No
2022 - 2023: No
Background:
Review of the Waste Local Plan, subsequent AMRs, and reviews of changes to legislation and guidance.
Annual Monitoring Report 2022-2023