To ask the committee to determine whether it wishes to make any recommendations to the executive on the draft Minerals and Waste Local Plan (MWLP), which would strengthen the emerging policy approach.

(The agenda order was changed and this item was considered as the second substantive item following consideration of the Task and Finish Group’s report on the Waste Management Strategic Review.)

The committee was asked to determine whether it wished to make any recommendations to the executive on the draft Minerals and Waste Local Plan, which would strengthen the emerging policy approach.

Victoria Eaton, Senior Planning Officer, introduced the report.  Kirsten Berry (of Hendeca Ltd) then commented on the detail. 

The committee discussed the Plan asking a number of questions to which responses were given.

The following principal points informed the recommendations:

·        The document was complex and highly technical in nature making it difficult for a general audience to understand.  A plain English summary should be provided.

·        The definition of sustainability needed to be made explicit so that appropriate weight could be given to it in decision making.

·        Some members considered that there should be a specific policy prohibiting fracking/unconventional hydrocarbon extraction in Herefordshire.  Professional advice was given counselling against this course on the grounds that it would be contrary to national policy and potentially lead to the Plan being rejected as unsound.  The committee considered that the matter nonetheless warranted highlighting and further consideration.

A number of detailed points on the text of the plan were noted for review by officers.

RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO THE EXECUTIVE:

That      (a)     a plain English and practical guidance/executive summary document be produced to support the report;

              (b)     a more explicit definition, with links to the examples of acceptable sustainable development - within the context of this report - be included

              (c)     while it recognises that the insertion of a stronger line on preventing fracking/unconventional hydrocarbon extraction in Herefordshire may make the MWLP ‘unsound’ due to national policy guidelines - the committee wishes to voice its view and see a clearer statement from government that fracking/extraction of unconventional hydrocarbons is unacceptable in Herefordshire; and

              (d)     the current draft MWLP be endorsed to go forward to public                            consultation.