MINERALS

Plan Policy MN 1      Areas of Constraint on                                    Mineral Developments

The following Areas of Constraint on Mineral Developments are designated: Ballinderry, Camlough, Cavanacaw/Tandragee, Killucan and Sperrin. In view of their nature conservation importance Areas of Special Scientific Interest located beyond the areas listed above and with the specific exception of Ballysudden ASSI (see Plan Policy MN2) are also considered to be Areas of Constraint on Mineral Developments. Proposals for the development of mineral resources within these areas will be restricted in accordance with the provisions of prevailing regional planning policy.

By their nature, scale, location and duration of operation, mineral developments frequently impact more severely on the environment than any other form of development. They can damage or destroy sites of nature conservation or science value and sites of historic and archaeological interest. They can also have a significant visual impact on the landscape and an adverse effect on the amenity of people living nearby.

Areas of Constraint on Mineral Developments are designated in order to safeguard the most valuable areas and features of the environment within Cookstown District from the detrimental effects of mineral extraction. Their identification has taken account of nature conservation interests, the archaeological and built heritage, landscape quality and character, visual prominence, amenity value and geological interest.

The Areas of Constraint on Mineral Developments are identified on the District and relevant settlement maps. Full details of the precise boundaries of Areas of Special Scientific Interest are identified in Appendix 3.The Department’s current planning policy for the control of mineral developments within these areas is set out in Policy MIN 3 of A Planning Strategy for Rural Northern Ireland.

Plan Policy MN 2      Mineral Reserves
	A Mineral Reserves Policy Area is designated to protect the limestone reserves at Ballyreagh. Surface development within this area that would prejudice the future exploitation of these reserves will be restricted in accordance with the provisions of regional planning policy.

The large hard rock quarry located to the southwest of Cookstown, operated by Blue Circle, has over 50 years of approved reserves of limestone that are used locally in the manufacturing of cement. To safeguard this important reserve, which is of particular value to the Northern Ireland economy, the Department designates a Mineral Reserves Policy Area, which is indicated on the District Map No. 1. The Department’s prevailing regional planning policy for this area is currently set out in Policy MIN 5 of A Planning Strategy for Rural Northern Ireland.

It should be noted that this area corresponds with the Ballysudden Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI) as indicated in Appendix 3 on Map No. 71.

Plan Policy MN 3      Hydrocarbon Exploration
	In the event that hydrocarbon exploration identifies the possibility of commercially viable reserves of oil or gas, applications for planning permission to sink wells for the purpose of appraising the nature or extent of the discovery will be considered in the context of the long term suitability of the site for production purposes.

While no hydrocarbon exploration is currently taking place within Cookstown District, future exploration under licence may identify deposits of oil or gas, minerals which are particularly valuable to the Northern Ireland economy. Exploitation may create environmental effects that are particular to the methods of extraction or treatment of that mineral. The Department will not therefore operate a general presumption against their exploitation in any part of the District, including Areas of Constraint on Mineral Developments. Rather, applications will be treated on their merits having regard to the impact of the specific development on nearby residents and sites, features or areas designated for their scientific, landscape or heritage interests.

Plan Policy MN 4       Restoration of Despoiled Land
	In assessing proposals for mineral development the Department will use its development control powers to encourage the restoration of lands despoiled by mineral extraction, except where such lands have established important nature conservation interests.

Some parts of Cookstown District have been despoiled by previously unregulated and unrestored mineral workings. This is particularly the case in the vicinity of Lough Fea, Killucan/Lough Doo, Knockaleery/Mullaghglass and Evishanoran.

Where there are proposals to develop further mineral deposits in these areas, the Department will take into consideration opportunities to achieve the restoration and rehabilitation of such despoiled land. Where appropriate applicants may be asked to enter into an Agreement under Article 40 of the Planning (NI) Order 1991 before permission is granted for mineral operations.