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FOUR TIER POLICY AREAS FOR MINERALS, LANDFILL, LAND RAISE AND WIND FARM PROPOSALS
4.29 Mineral, landfill, land raise and wind farm developments must conform to a sequential exploration of tiered planning designations. These are outlined in Table 5 and comprise international, national, regional and local designations and other (preferred) areas where development should be directed in the first instance. This hierarchical approach to directing development is supported by a number of NPPG’s, particularly NPPG 14 on "Natural Heritage". A number of habitats and features that are not necessarily recognised designations are also included to provide further clarity and direction for development. These include coastal systems, river beds, Strategic Reserve Land (long term development land within the Aberdeen Green Belt), buffer zones and pipeline wayleave routes.
4.30 It should be noted that some designations appear in different tiers. This is because mineral, landfill, land raise and wind farm development will have differing impacts on habitats and features. Thus, prime agricultural land for instance is in a lower tier for wind farms (where the land take is relatively low) than for the others, whereas Green Belt is in a higher tier for wind farms due to their possible landscape impact.
4.31 The tiered approach should be used as a basis for deciding planning applications for minerals, landfill, land raise and wind farm proposals. These should be located in Tier 4 areas in the first instance, subject to other local plan policies. Parts of Aberdeen Green Belt, which is in Tier 3, may be suitable for landfill and land raise proposals, provided they meet various objectives (including the National Waste Strategy and Area Waste Plan). Proposals should generally avoid Tier 1 and 2 areas.
| POLICY 26 |
| Four Tier Policy Areas for Minerals, Landfill, Land Raise and Wind Farm Proposals |
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Proposals for mineral extraction, landfill, land raise and wind farms must conform to a sequential exploration of tiered planning designations. These are outlined in Table 5. Tier 1 – International Designations. Development which would have an adverse impact on international designations will not be permitted unless there is an imperative reason of overriding public interest for doing so and there is no alternative solution. Such alternatives should include the sequential exploration of other (lower tier) areas. Tier 2 – National Designations. Development will only be permitted in national designations where it can be demonstrated that the underlying objective and overall integrity of the designated area will remain largely unaffected; or any adverse effects on the qualities for which the site has been designated are outweighed significantly by the national benefits that could accrue from development. In addition, it should be demonstrated that no suitable alternatives exist in lower tier areas by means of a sequential approach. Tier 3 – Local Designations. Development will only be permitted following careful consideration of their effects on local designations and subject to individual site and local circumstances identified in local plans. Where harmful effects are likely, it should be demonstrated that no suitable alternatives exist in Tier 4 areas. Tier 4 – Other
Preferred Areas. Development may be permitted subject to individual
site and local circumstances identified in Local Plans.
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Table 5 : Four Tier Policy Areas
