Class M – removal of material from mineral-working deposits

We will not be expanding upon Class M which is for the removal of material from mineral-working deposits, subject to notification to the mineral planning authority, within Planning Geek at this time.

The legislation can be found below. If you need the guidance of Planning Geek in the process for Class M, please contact us for any assistance or book a Zoom call today.

Legislation

Class M – removal of material from mineral-working deposits

Permitted development

M. The removal of material of any description from a mineral-working deposit other than a stockpile.

Development not permitted

M.1 Development is not permitted by Class M if—

(a) the developer has not previously notified the mineral planning authority in writing of its intention to carry out the development and supplied them with the appropriate details;

(b) the deposit covers a ground area exceeding 2 hectares, unless the deposit contains no mineral or other material which was deposited on the land more than 5 years before the development; or

(c) the deposit derives from the carrying out of any operations permitted under Class A, B or C of Part 6 (agricultural development) of this Schedule or any Class in a previous development order which it replaces.

Conditions

M.2 Development is permitted by Class M subject to the following conditions—

(a) it is carried out in accordance with the details given in the notice sent to the mineral planning authority referred to in paragraph M.1(a), unless that authority have agreed otherwise in writing;

(b) if the mineral planning authority so require, the developer must within a period of 3 months from the date of the requirement (or such other longer period as that authority may provide) submit to them for approval a scheme providing for the restoration and aftercare of the site;

(c) where such a scheme is required, the site is restored and aftercare is carried out in accordance with the provisions of the approved scheme; and

(d) development is not be commenced until the relevant period has elapsed.

Interpretation of Class M

M.3 For the purposes of Class M—

“appropriate details” means—

(a) the nature of the development;

(b) the exact location of the mineral-working deposit from which the material would be removed;

(c) the proposed means of vehicular access to the site at which the development is to be carried out, and

(d) the earliest date at which any mineral presently contained in the deposit was deposited on the land; and

“relevant period” means the period elapsing—

(a) where a direction is not issued under article 5, 28 days after the notification referred to in paragraph M.1(a) or, if earlier, on the date on which the mineral planning authority notify the developer in writing that they will not issue such a direction; or

(b) where a direction is issued under article 5, 28 days from the date on which notice of that direction is sent to the Secretary of State, or, if earlier, the date on which the mineral planning authority notify the developer that the Secretary of State has disallowed the direction.

Mineral working Page Updated: 16th August 2023