COAL M TAN LETTER

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Rosemary Thomas (Head of Planning Division)
Planning Policy Branch
Planning Division
Welsh Assembly Government
Cathays Park
Cardiff CF10 3NQ

Planning Guidance on Opencast Coal Mining
(Coal M Tan) Further consultation

Dear Madam We believe that, although it is good that the public are now being consulted on Draft Planning Guidance on Opencast Coal Mining and the 500m buffer zones is a step in the right direction, there is no point in having a coal MTAN if unsuitable and controversial planning applications for opencast developments still continue. It needs to be tightened up in order to avoid confusion and caveats being made possible. All homes need protection and quality of life. We would therefore like the coal M Tan to include the following amendments:-

. A strict ‘presumption against’ opencast coal mining for any new applications or extensions from now onwards especially in Green Wedge areas .

. A 500 metre minimum separation distance that is ‘absolute’ should any future opencast go ahead. The 500m should only be flexible for increase and have no caveats to reduce it.

. The 500m should include all homes, particularly 1-9 dwellings (that are at present not protected at all ) These rural hamlets and the citizens in ‘so-called’ isolated dwellings have, at present, unequal status and protection.

. Future opencast should only be allowed for reclamation schemes and at least 90% of the land should be in need of reclamation or be derelict. On brown field development, buffer zones of 500m should still apply in order to protect communities.

. The people of Wales are on and near the coal therefore further opencast mining should be discouraged as there are environmental, health and social implications that make expansion unsuitable, unsustainable, unacceptable and an unhealthy development for the future.

. There should be no opencast development in areas with existing low health statistics.Individual health and well being should be the prime consideration and, where there is doubt, the precautionary principle should be applied

. HIA’s should be paid for by the applicant but the provider should be totally independent, reputable and be unbiased.They should also, when completed, be amended and reviewed on a three yearly basis.

. There should definitely be no opencast development where air quality is already poor. (EU Directive 1999/30/EC/ Policy Guidance LAOM.PG(03))

. The economics of coal extraction should not override the basic human rights of the local population.
(Responses to Questions 1-14 )
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Thank you for giving further consultation on these very important issues.


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Coal MTAN

The Welsh Assembly Government has given more time to the consultation on the coal M Tan. IT IS VITAL THAT YOU WRITE TO THEM ASKING FOR THE ISSUES LAID OUT BELOW. EVERY LETTER COUNTS!!!

Following consideration of the consultation responses to the draft Coal MTAN in 2006, the research undertaken by the British Geological Survey and the One Wales agenda, a second consultation is being undertaken.

This focuses on a number of specific issues and will run for a period of 12 weeks. This consultation seeks views on various proposals and associated questions. You can access the information on:-
http://new.wales.gov.uk/consultations/currentconsultation/plancurrcons/finalcoaltanconsultation/?lang=en

The closing date for responses is: 23 May 2008
send to:-
Rosemary Thomas
Head of Planning Division
Planning Policy Branch
Planning Division
Welsh Assembly Government
Cathays Park Cardiff
CF10 3NQ

New Time Extension until August 2008

THE TIME EXTENSION HAS BEEN ALLOWED.

IT WAS A VERY CLOSE VOTE 15-14.

ANOTHER SUMMER WILL BE RUINED!!

Even more News

Another meeting to decide on the Park Slip Extension revised was held in Port Talbot Civic Centre 29/01/08. There was overwhelming support for the planning officers recommendation of refusal and the committee refused the application----(23 votes to 3 with 2 abstensions. )

PACT wishes to thank the committee members who voted so overwhelmingly against the extension. But we are not celebrating yet. The company may appeal.

More News

Neath/Port Talbot Planning Officers have recommended refusal. Planning meeting for final decision is on 29th January .

The company will probably appeal against the decisions of the councils if they go against them.

NEWS

One of the meetings to decide on the Park Slip Extension revised was held in Bridgend Civic Centre 17/01/08. There was overwhelming support for the planning officer, Mr. Martin Hooker’s, recommendation of refusal and the committee voted accordingly, and refused the application----(44 out of 47 votes. )
One member of the committee stated that there were approximately 1,500 letters of objection. Another mentioned that there were many strong reasons for refusal.
A commendable sign of the democratic process in Bridgend was that community representatives and a member of PACT were allowed a 3 minute deliberation . PACT are very grateful to the 44 councillors who committed to vote against this unacceptable and very controversial development.
The next stage is that Neath/Port Talbot put forward their recommendation and meet to decide . ( It is a cross-boundary issue to be considered by both councils.)
The mine manager made it clear at the end of his speech that if the decision was refusal, they would appeal and he stated his confidence that they would win !!!
PACT are thankful and fortunate to have the support of local AM’s and MP’s from both counties .