Environment Act 1995

Section 96.

[F1SCHEDULE 14E+W Periodic Review of Mineral Planning Permissions]

[F2Power to carry out periodic reviewsE+W

A1E+WThe mineral planning authority for an area in England may, in accordance with the provisions of this Schedule, cause one or more periodic reviews to be carried out of the mineral permissions relating to a mining site.]

[F3 Duty to carry out periodic reviews]E+W

[F41E+WThe mineral planning authority [F5for an area in Wales] shall, in accordance with the provisions of this Schedule, cause periodic reviews to be carried out of the mineral permissions relating to a mining site.]

[F6 Interpretation]E+W

[F7 2 (1)For the purposes of this Schedule—E+W

• [F8“first review date”—

  (a)

  in relation to a mineral planning authority for an area in England, has the meaning given by paragraph 2A below, and

  (b)

  in relation to a mineral planning authority for an area in Wales, has the meaning given by paragraph 2B below;]

• “ mineral permission ” means any planning permission, other than a planning permission granted by a development order, for minerals development;

• “ mineral planning authority ”—

  (a)

  F9 . . ., means a mineral planning authority within the meaning of the 1990 Act, F10 . . .

  (b)

  F10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

• “ mining site ” means—

  (a)

  in a case where it appears to the mineral planning authority to be expedient to treat as a single site the aggregate of the land to which any two or more mineral permissions relate, the aggregate of the land to which those permissions relate; and

  (b)

  in any other case, the land to which a mineral permission relates;

• “ old mining permission ” has the meaning given—

  (a)

  F9 . . ., by section 22(1) of the 1991 Act, F10 . . .

  (b)

  F10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

• “ owner ”, in relation to any land—

  (a)

  F9 . . ., means any person who—

  (i)

  is the estate owner in respect of the fee simple, or

  (ii)

  is entitled to a tenancy granted or extended for a term of years certain of which not less than seven years remains unexpired; F10 . . .

  (b)

  F10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2)In determining whether it appears to them to be expedient to treat as a single site the aggregate of the land to which two or more mineral permissions relate a mineral planning authority shall have regard to any guidance issued for the purpose by the Secretary of State.

(3)Any reference (however expressed) in this Schedule to a mining site being a site to which relates—

(a)an old mining permission; or

(b)a mineral permission,

is a reference to the mining site, or some part of it, being the land to which the permission relates.

(4)For the purposes of this Schedule, an application made under paragraph 6 below is finally determined when—

(a) the proceedings on the application, including any proceedings on or in consequence of an application under section 288 of the 1990 Act F11 . . ., have been determined, and

(b)any time for appealing under paragraph 9(1) below, or applying or further applying under paragraph 6 below, (where there is a right to do so) has expired.]

[F12(5)Where an electronic communication is used to make an application to a mineral planning authority under paragraph 5 or 6 below, the applicant shall be taken to have agreed—

(a)to the use of electronic communications for all purposes relating to his application which are capable of being effected using such communications, unless he gives notice in writing to the mineral planning authority in accordance with sub-paragraph (6) below; and

(b)that his address for the purposes of such communications is the address incorporated into, or otherwise logically associated with, his application (or such other address as he may notify in writing to the mineral planning authority).

(6)An applicant may give notice that he is no longer to be taken to have agreed to the use of electronic communications for the purposes mentioned in paragraph (a) of sub-paragraph (5).

(7)Any such notice shall take effect from the date specified in it being not less than seven days from the date on which it is given.]

[F13The first review date: mineral planning authorities in EnglandE+W

2A(1)In the application of this Schedule in relation to a mineral planning authority for an area in England, “first review date” means the date set by the authority in accordance with sub-paragraph (2) below as the first review date for the purposes of the first periodic review of the mineral permissions relating to a mining site.E+W

(2)That date may not be earlier than the relevant date found under paragraph 3 below in relation to the site.

(3)This paragraph is subject to paragraphs 3A and 5 below (power to specify different relevant date, and postponement of first review date).

The first review date: mineral planning authorities in WalesE+W

2B(1)In the application of this Schedule in relation to a mineral planning authority for an area in Wales, “first review date” in relation to a mining site means the relevant date found under paragraph 3 below in relation to the site.E+W

(2)This paragraph is subject to paragraphs 3A and 5 below (power to specify different relevant date, and postponement of first review date).]

[F14The relevant date for the purposes of a first periodic review]E+W

[F153[F16(A1)This paragraph has effect for the purposes of paragraphs 2A and 2B above.]E+W

(1)Subject to sub-paragraph (7) below, in a case where the mineral permissions relating to a mining site include an old mining permission, the first review date means—

(a)the date falling fifteen years after the date upon which, pursuant to an application made under paragraph 2 of Schedule 2 to the 1991 Act F17. . ., the conditions to which that old mining permission is to be subject are finally determined under that Schedule; or

(b)where there are two or more old mining permissions relating to that site, and the date upon which those conditions are finally determined is not the same date for each of those permissions, the date falling fifteen years after the date upon which was made the last such final determination to be so made in respect of any of those permissions,

and paragraph 10(2) of Schedule 2 to the 1991 Act F17. . . (meaning of “finally determined”) shall apply for the purposes of this sub-paragraph as it applies for the purposes of section 22 of and Schedule 2 to the 1991 Act F17. . ..

(2)Subject to sub-paragraph (7) below, in the case of a mining site which is a Phase I or II site within the meaning of Schedule 13 to this Act, the first review date means the date falling fifteen years after the date upon which, pursuant to an application made under paragraph 9 of that Schedule, there is determined under that paragraph the conditions to which the relevant planning permissions (within the meaning of that Schedule) relating to the site are to be subject.

(3)Subject to sub-paragraphs (4) and (7) below, in the case of a mining site—

(a)which is not a Phase I or II site within the meaning of Schedule 13 to this Act; and

(b)to which no old mining permission relates,

the [F18relevant date] is the date falling fifteen years after the date upon which was granted the most recent mineral permission which relates to the site.

(4)Where, in the case of a mining site falling within sub-paragraph (3) above, the most recent mineral permission relating to that site relates, or the most recent such permissions (whether or not granted on the same date) between them relate, to part only of the site, and in the opinion of the mineral planning authority it is expedient, for the purpose of ascertaining, under that sub-paragraph, the first review date in respect of that site, to treat that permission or those permissions as having been granted at the same time as the last of the other mineral permissions relating to the site, the first review date for that site shall be ascertained under that sub-paragraph accordingly.

(5)A mineral planning authority shall, in deciding whether they are of such an opinion as is mentioned in sub-paragraph (4) above, have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State for the purpose.

(6)Subject to sub-paragraph (7) below, in the case of a mining site—

(a)to which relates a mineral permission in respect of which an order has been made under section 97 of the 1990 Act F17. . ., or

(b)in respect of which, or any part of which, an order has been made under paragraph 1 of Schedule 9 to the 1990 Act F17. . .,

the first review date shall be the date falling fifteen years after the date upon which the order took effect or, in a case where there is more than one such order, upon which the last of those orders to take effect took effect.

(7)In the case of a mining site for which the preceding provisions of this paragraph have effect to specify two or more different dates as the first review date, the first review date shall be the latest of those dates.]

[F193A(1)The Secretary of State may by order specify a [F20relevant date] different from the [F20relevant date] found in pursuance of paragraph 3(1) or (2).E+W

(2)Sub-paragraph (3) applies if no [F20relevant date] is found in pursuance of paragraph 3(1) or (2).

(3)The Secretary of State may by order specify a [F20relevant date] .

(4)An order under sub-paragraph (3) may make different provision for different cases or different classes of case.

(5)An order under this paragraph must be made by statutory instrument subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.]

[F21 Service of notice of first periodic review]E+W

[F224[F23(A1)This paragraph applies—E+W

(a)where a mineral planning authority for an area in England determines that it will carry out a periodic review of the mineral permissions relating to a mining site, and that periodic review is the first periodic review of the permissions relating to that site, and

(b)in relation to the first periodic review by a mineral planning authority for an area in Wales of the mineral permissions relating to a mining site.]

(1)The mineral planning authority shall, in connection with the first periodic review F24..., no later than 12 months before the first review date, serve notice upon each person appearing to them to be the owner of any land, or entitled to an interest in any mineral, included in [F25the site to which the review relates] .

(2)A notice required to be served under sub-paragraph (1) above shall—

(a)specify the mining site to which it relates;

(b)identify the mineral permissions relating to that site;

(c)state the first review date;

(d)state that the first review date is the date by which an application must be made for approval of the conditions to which the mineral permissions relating to the site are to be subject and explain the consequences which will occur if no such application is made by that date; and

(e)explain the right to apply for postponement of the first review date and give the date by which such an application has to be made.

(3)Where, in relation to any land or mineral included in a mining site, the mineral planning authority—

(a)has served notice on any person under sub-paragraph (1) above; and

(b)has received no application under paragraph 6 below from that person by the date falling eight weeks before the first review date,

the authority shall serve a written reminder on that person.

(4)A reminder required to be served under sub-paragraph (3) above shall—

(a)indicate that the land or mineral in question is included in a mining site;

(b)comply with the requirements of sub-paragraph (2)(a) to (d) above; and

(c)be served on the person in question on or before the date falling four weeks before the first review date.

(5)Sub-paragraph (1) above shall not require the mineral planning authority to serve notice under that sub-paragraph upon any person whose identity or address for service is not known to and cannot practicably, after reasonable inquiry, be ascertained by them, but in any such case the authority shall cause to be firmly affixed, to each of one or more conspicuous objects on the land or, as the case may be, on the surface of the land above the interest in question, a copy of the notice which they would (apart from the provisions of this sub-paragraph) have had to serve under that sub-paragraph on the owner of that land or interest.

(6)If, in a case where sub-paragraph (5) above applies, no person makes an application to the authority under paragraph 6 below in respect of the mining site which includes the land or interest in question by the date falling eight weeks before the first review date, the authority shall cause to be firmly affixed, to each of one or more conspicuous objects on the land or, as the case may be, on the surface of the land above the interest in question, a copy of the written reminder that would, in a case not falling within sub-paragraph (5) above, have been served under sub-paragraph (3) above.

(7)Where by sub-paragraph (5) or (6) above a copy of any notice is required to be affixed to an object on any land that copy shall—

(a)be displayed in such a way as to be easily visible and legible;

(b)be first displayed—

(i)in a case where the requirement arises under sub-paragraph (5) above, no later than 12 months before the first review date; or

(ii)in a case where the requirement arises under sub-paragraph (6) above, no later than the date falling four weeks before the first review date;

and

(c)be left in position for at least the period of 21 days from the date when it is first displayed, but where the notice is, without fault or intention of the authority, removed, obscured or defaced before that period has elapsed, that requirement shall be treated as having been complied with if the authority has taken reasonable steps for protection of the notice and, if need be, its replacement.

(8)In sub-paragraphs (5) and (6) above, any reference to a conspicuous object on any land includes, in a case where the person serving a notice considers that there are no or insufficient such objects on the land, a reference to a post driven into or erected upon the land by the person serving the notice for the purpose of having affixed to it a copy of the notice in question.]

[F26 Application for postponement of the first review date]E+W

[F275(1)Any person who is the owner of any land, or of any interest in any mineral, comprised in a mining site may, no later than the day upon which expires the period of three months from the day upon which notice was served upon him under paragraph 4 above, apply under this paragraph to the mineral planning authority for the postponement of the first review date.E+W

(2)An application under this paragraph shall be in writing and shall set out—

(a)the conditions to which each mineral permission relating to the site is subject;

(b)the applicant’s reasons for considering those conditions to be satisfactory; and

(c)the date which the applicant wishes to have substituted for the first review date.

(3)Where the mineral planning authority receive an application made under this paragraph—

(a)if they consider the conditions referred to in sub-paragraph (2)(a) above to be satisfactory they shall agree to the first review date being postponed in which event they shall determine the date to be substituted for that date;

(b)in any other case they shall refuse the application.

(4)When a mineral planning authority determine an application made under this paragraph, they shall notify the applicant in writing of their decision and, in a case where they have agreed to the postponement of the first review date, shall notify the applicant of the date which they have determined should be substituted for the first review date.

(5)Where, within the period of three months of the mineral planning authority having received an application under this paragraph, or within such extended period as may at any time be agreed upon in writing between the applicant and the authority, the authority have not given notice, under sub-paragraph (4) above, to the applicant of their decision upon the application, the authority shall be treated as having, at the end of that period or, as the case may be, that extended period—

(a)agreed to the first review date being postponed; and

(b)determined that the date referred to in sub-paragraph (2)(c) above be substituted for the first review date.]

[F28 Application to determine the conditions to which the mineral permissions relating to a mining site are to be subject]E+W

[F29 6 (1)Any person who is the owner of any land, or who is entitled to an interest in a mineral, may, if that land or mineral is or forms part of a mining site, apply to the mineral planning authority to determine the conditions to which the mineral permissions relating to that site are to be subject.E+W

(2)An application under this paragraph shall be in writing and shall—

(a)identify the mining site in respect of which the application is made and state that the application is made in connection with the first periodic review of the mineral permissions relating to that site;

(b)specify the land or minerals comprised in the site of which the applicant is the owner or, as the case may be, in which the applicant is entitled to an interest;

(c)identify the mineral permissions relating to the site;

(d)identify, and give [F30an addressa postal address][F30a postal address] for, each other person that the applicant knows or, after reasonable inquiry, has cause to believe to be an owner of any land, or entitled to any interest in any mineral, comprised in the site;

(e)set out the conditions to which the applicant proposes the permissions referred to in paragraph (c) above should be subject; and

(f) be accompanied by the appropriate certificate (within the meaning of sub-paragraph (3) F31 . . . below).

(3) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (2) above, F32 . . . the appropriate certificate is such a certificate—

(a)as would be required, under section 65 of the 1990 Act and any provision of a development order made by virtue of that section, to accompany the application if it were an application for planning permission for minerals development, but

(b)with such modifications as are required for the purposes of this paragraph,

and section 65(6) of the 1990 Act shall also have effect in relation to any certificate purporting to be the appropriate certificate.

F33( 4 ). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

( 5 )Where the mineral planning authority receive an application under this paragraph in relation to a mining site they shall determine the conditions to which each mineral permission relating to the site is to be subject.

(6)The conditions imposed by virtue of a determination under sub-paragraph (5) above—

(a)may include any conditions which may be imposed on a grant of planning permission for minerals development;

(b)may be in addition to, or in substitution for, any existing conditions to which the permission in question is subject.

(7)In determining that a mineral permission is to be subject to any condition relating to development for which planning permission is granted by a development order, the mineral planning authority shall have regard to any guidance issued for the purpose by the Secretary of State.

(8)Subject to sub-paragraph (9) below, where, within the period of three months of the mineral planning authority having received an application under this paragraph, or within such extended period as may at any time be agreed upon in writing between the applicant and the authority, the authority have not given notice to the applicant of their decision upon the application, the authority shall be treated as having at the end of that period or, as the case may be, that extended period, determined that the conditions to which any mineral permission to which the application relates is to be subject are those specified in the application as being proposed in relation to that permission; and any such permission shall, from that time, have effect subject to those conditions.

(9)Where a mineral planning authority, having received an application under this paragraph, are of the opinion that they are unable to determine the application unless further details are supplied to them, they shall within the period of one month from having received the application give notice to the applicant—

(a)stating that they are of such opinion; and

(b)specifying the further details which they require,

and where the authority so serve such a notice the period of three months referred to in sub-paragraph (8) above shall run not from the authority having received the application but from the time when the authority have received all the further details specified in the notice.

(10)Without prejudice to the generality of sub-paragraph (9) above, the further details which may be specified in a notice under that sub-paragraph include any—

(a)information, plans or drawings; or

(b)evidence verifying any particulars of details supplied to the authority in respect of the application in question,

which it is reasonable for the authority to request for the purpose of enabling them to determine the application.]

[F34 Permissions ceasing to have effect]E+W

[F357E+WWhere no application under paragraph 6 above in respect of a mining site has been served on the mineral planning authority by the first review date, or by such later date as may at any time be agreed upon in writing between the applicant and the authority, each mineral permission—

(a)relating to the site; and

(b)identified in the notice served in relation to the site under paragraph 4 above,

shall cease to have effect, except insofar as it imposes any restoration or aftercare condition, on the day following the first review date or, as the case may be, such later agreed date.]

[F36 Reference of applications to the Secretary of State]E+W

[F378(1)The Secretary of State may give directions requiring applications made under paragraph 6 above to any mineral planning authority to be referred to him for determination instead of being dealt with by the authority.E+W

(2)A direction under sub-paragraph (1) above may relate either to a particular application or to applications of a class specified in the direction.

(3)Where an application is referred to the Secretary of State in accordance with a direction under sub-paragraph (1) above—

(a)subject to paragraph (b) below, paragraph 6(5) and (6) above, and paragraph 11 below so far as relating to applications under paragraph 6 above, shall apply, with any necessary modifications, to his determination of the application as they apply to the determination of applications by the mineral planning authority;

(b)before determining the application the Secretary of State must, if either the applicant or the mineral planning authority so wish, give each of them an opportunity of appearing before and being heard by a person appointed by the Secretary of State for the purpose; and

(c)the decision of the Secretary of State on the application shall be final.]

[F38 Appeals]E+W

[F399(1)Where on an application under paragraph 6 above the mineral planning authority determine conditions that differ in any respect from the proposed conditions set out in the application, the applicant may appeal to the Secretary of State.E+W

(2)An appeal under sub-paragraph (1) above must be made by giving notice of appeal to the Secretary of State, before the end of the period of six months beginning with the determination, on a form supplied by or on behalf of the Secretary of State for use for that purpose, and giving, so far as reasonably practicable, the information required by that form.

(3)Paragraph 6 of Schedule 2 to the 1991 Act (determination of appeals) shall, F40. . ., apply to appeals under sub-paragraph (1) above as it applies to appeals under paragraph 5 of that Schedule.

(4)F40. . ., sections 284 to 288 of the 1990 Act shall have effect as if the action mentioned in section 284(3) of that Act included any decision of the Secretary of State—

(a)on an appeal under sub-paragraph (1) above; or

(b)on an application under paragraph 6 above referred to him under paragraph 8 above.

F41(5). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F41(6). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F41(7). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .]

[F42 Time from which conditions determined under this Schedule are to take effect]E+W

[F4310(1)Where an application has been made under paragraph 6 above in respect of a mining site, each of the mineral permissions relating to the site shall, from the time when the application is finally determined, have effect subject to the conditions to which it is determined under this Schedule that that permission is to be subject.E+W

(2)Sub-paragraph (1) above is without prejudice to paragraph 6(8) above.]

[F44 Two or more applicants]E+W

[F4511(1)Where a mineral planning authority have received from any person a duly made application under paragraph 5 or 6 above—E+W

(a)that person may not make any further application under the paragraph in question in respect of the same site; and

(b)if the application has been determined, whether or not in the case of an application under paragraph 6 above it has been finally determined, no other person may make an application under the paragraph in question in respect of the same site.

(2)Where—

(a)a mineral planning authority have received from any person in respect of a mineral site a duly made application under paragraph 5 or 6 above; and

(b)the authority receives from another person a duly made application under the paragraph in question in respect of the same site,

then for the purpose of the determination of the applications and any appeal against such a determination, this Schedule shall have effect as if the applications were a single application received by the authority on the date on which the later application was received by the authority and references to the applicant shall be read as references to either or any of the applicants.]

[F46 Second and subsequent periodic reviews]E+W

[F4712[F48(A1)This paragraph applies—E+W

(a)where a mineral planning authority for an area in England determines that it will carry out a periodic review of the mineral permissions relating to a mining site, and that periodic review is the second or a subsequent periodic review of the permissions relating to that site, and

(b)in relation to the second or any subsequent periodic review by a mineral planning authority for an area in Wales of the mineral permissions relating to a mining site.

(A2)In the application of this paragraph in relation to a mineral planning authority for an area in England “the review date” means the date set by the authority as the review date for the purposes of the periodic review.

(A3)That date may not be earlier than the relevant date found under sub-paragraph (1) below in relation to the site.

(A4)In the application of this paragraph in relation to a mineral planning authority for an area in Wales “the review date” means the relevant date found under sub-paragraph (1) below in relation to the site.]

(1) In this paragraph, in relation to a mining site, but subject to paragraph 5 above as applied by sub-paragraph (2) below, “ [F49relevant date] ” means—

(a)in the case of the second periodic review, the date falling fifteen years after the date upon which was finally determined an application made under paragraph 6 above in respect of the site; and

(b)in the case of subsequent periodic reviews, the date falling fifteen years after the date upon which there was last finally determined under this Schedule an application made in respect of that site under paragraph 6 above as applied by sub-paragraph (2) below.

(2)Paragraphs 4 to 11 above shall apply in respect of the second or any subsequent periodic review of the mineral permissions relating to a mining site as they apply to the first such periodic review, but as if—

(a)any reference in those paragraphs to the “first review date” were a reference to the review date; F50...

(b)the references in paragraphs 4(1) and 6(2)(a) above to the first periodic review were references to the periodic review in question.][F51, and

(c)paragraph 4(A1) were omitted.]

[F52 Compensation]E+W

[F5313(1)This paragraph applies where—E+W

(a)an application made under paragraph 6 above in respect of a mining site is finally determined; and

(b)the conditions to which the mineral permissions relating to the site are to be subject, as determined under this Schedule, differ in any respect from the proposed conditions set out in the application; and

(c)the effect of the new conditions, except insofar as they are restoration or aftercare conditions, as compared with the effect of the existing conditions, except insofar as they were restoration or aftercare conditions, is to restrict working rights in respect of the site.

(2)For the purposes of this paragraph—

• “ the new conditions ”, in relation to a mining site, means the conditions, determined under this Schedule, to which the mineral permissions relating to the site are to be subject; and

• “ the existing conditions ”, in relation to a mining site, means the conditions to which the mineral permissions relating to the site were subject immediately prior to the final determination of the application made under paragraph 6 above in respect of that site.

(3)For the purposes of this paragraph, working rights are restricted in respect of a mining site if any of—

(a)the size of the area which may be used for the winning and working of minerals or the depositing of mineral waste;

(b)the depth to which operations for the winning and working of minerals may extend;

(c)the height of any deposit of mineral waste;

(d)the rate at which any particular mineral may be extracted;

(e)the rate at which any particular mineral waste may be deposited;

(f)the period at the expiry of which any winning or working of minerals or depositing of mineral waste is to cease; or

(g)the total quantity of minerals which may be extracted from, or of mineral waste which may be deposited on, the site,

is restricted or reduced in respect of the mining site in question.

(4)In a case to which this paragraph applies, but subject to sub-paragraph (6) below, F54. . ., Parts IV and XI of the 1990 Act F55. . ., shall have effect as if an order made under section 97 of the 1990 Act F55. . .—

(a)had been confirmed by the Secretary of State under section 98 of the 1990 Act F55. . . at the time when the application in question was finally determined; and

(b)as so confirmed, had effect to modify those permissions to the extent specified in sub-paragraph (6) below.

(5)For the purposes of this paragraph, the order referred to in sub-paragraph (4) above is one whose only effect adverse to the interests of any person having an interest in the land or minerals comprised in the mineral site is to restrict working rights in respect of the site to the same extent as the relevant restriction.

(6)For the purposes of section 116 of the 1990 Act F55. . . and of any regulations made under [F56those sections], the permissions treated as being modified by the order mentioned in sub-paragraph (4) above shall be treated as if they were planning permissions for development which neither consists of nor includes any minerals development.]