Have your say on the future for minerals and waste

A revised blueprint forthe future of mineral prospecting and waste management in Buckinghamshire gets its second airing among residents, stakeholders and operators from today (Monday, March 5).

The Minerals and Waste Local Plan for the next 20 years aims to ensure a steady and adequate supply of aggregates, and forecasts future waste management needs, taking account of growth set out in the district local plans.

County Councillors gave it their blessing at their meeting on February 22. Now the plan is out for a second public consultation with an online survey atwww.buckscc.gov.uk/mwlp

Changes to the original plan includethe deletion of an industrial site at Ashridge Road, Chesham and a proposed Milton Keynes fringe site from 27 potential locations for waste management operations.

Officers removed them following strong feedback from the first county-wide community and stakeholder consultation and an online survey last August and September.

Bill Chapple OBE, Cabinet Member for Planning and Environment, said: “We’ve done our very best future-gazingto balance the needs of our amenities and our natural and historic environment, with the demands for future mineral extraction, and the need to manage Buckinghamshire’s waste. Now we want to hear back from people.”

Bill said the the plan will be submitted to Sajid Javid, Minister for Housing, Communities and Local Government, after consultation feedback has been processed and summarised by the Minerals and Waste team.

An independent inspector will be appointed to hold an Examination in Public and Bill said he hoped the County Council could adopt the plan early next year.

An easy-to-understand summary of the revised plan is on the County Council websitewww.buckscc.gov.uk/mwlp