An application for a new 3Mt mineral working south of Horstead was refused by Norfolk CC in July against officer advice. The reason was that it "in the context of existing planning permissions already active or about to be activated within the vicinity of the site, would lead to an over concentration of mineral activity". This would lead to cumulative impact to the detriment of the landscape, amenity and use of the highway. Two previous applications on the site were refused; one for 7.5Mt in January 2003, and one for 4Mt in May 2004 (see Mineral Planning 94 p.34 and 100 p.43). In each case, the grounds of refusal related solely to a lack of need for the mineral in the context of Minerals Local Plan policy where the landbank was over 7 years. An appeal has been lodged against the second refusal, and a public inquiry is scheduled for December 2005.
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