No gravel or mineral extraction or waste management sites are being proposed for Wokingham Borough in a long-term plan now out for consultation.
Wokingham Borough Council is consulting on the next stage of its Joint Minerals and Waste Plan which will guide future locations for sand and gravel extraction as well as waste management, such as recycling plants and waste treatment facilities. The council is working in partnership with Bracknell Forest Council, Reading Borough Council and The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead on the joint plan.
The consultation will consider the proposed submission version of the plan and supporting evidence, which is intended to be submitted to the Secretary of State for an independent examination, which is planned to take place early next year.
The Joint Plan will provide greater certainty over where future sites for mineral extraction and waste management will be located across central and eastern Berkshire. The joint plan does not propose allocating any sites in Wokingham Borough for either minerals extraction or waste management.
The draft plan identifies a broad ‘area of search’ for mineral extraction where geological data suggests minerals may be present. Any development proposals in this area would require planning permission. Similarly, a number of industrial sites have been identified that may be suitable for specific types of waste management uses (for example sorting or segregating waste). Any development proposals on these sites would also require planning permission.
Cllr Wayne Smith, executive member for planning and enforcement, said “This consultation is an important milestone for our borough. The joint plan helps to ensure we will have the minerals we need to build important infrastructure in the borough, such as new roads and schools. It also identifies how we will deal with the waste we produce.”
Get involved
To get involved and share your thoughts on the future of minerals and waste planning in Wokingham borough, please visit the Central & Eastern Berkshire Authorities Joint Minerals & Waste Plan consultation webpage.
The consultation will run for six weeks, beginning on 3 September 2020 and ending 15 October 2020. All comments must be received by 5pm on Thursday 15 October 2020.
To find out more about the Joint Minerals and Waste Plan visit www.wokingham.gov.uk and search ‘minerals and waste’ or look at our recent news article.
Photo from 2019 shows Wokingham Conservatives joining protestors in Shinfield to stand up against the proposal for a new gravel extraction site and cement facility by Cemex.
