Assessment criteria for minerals development

In decision-taking the factors to be considered on a case by case basis will depend on the scale of the proposed minerals development and its local context. In all circumstances proposals will be assessed in accordance with normal planning criteria, including such considerations as: soil quality (where this is particularly suitable for agriculture), water quality (of rivers, lakes, reservoirs and groundwater), tree and vegetation cover, wildlife habitats, natural features of interest in the landscape and sites of archaeological and historic interest.