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Session 2: Opportunities for Development and Constraints on Development |
Wardell Armstrong, Consulting Mining, Minerals Management, Geological and Geotechnical Engineers, 22 Windsor Place, Cardiff CF1 3BY, UK
The objective of this paper is to demonstrate the importance of, and connection between, Town and Country Planning matters and the need for engineering geological and geotechnical assessments. A brief review is given of the development plan system including the respective aims and intentions of both County and Local Structure Plans. Current planning law and building regulations are described from the point of view of stability of structures in the long term, together with comment so far as liability is concerned. The control of mineral workings is also briefly described in both planning and engineering geological terms. In addition, mining rights are discussed in lay terms from the mineral estates point of view. The underlying theme is with regard to minerals and the extractive processes.
The paper includes conclusions and recommendations which follow consideration of these issues in the light of the experience gained from undertaking detailed assessments with respect to planning issues, environmental impact, and stability considerations associated with opencast working and construction operations in areas affected by past, present and future underground mining at various depths. These conclusions deal with the applications of engineering geology and geotechnics within the current planning framework. Finally, recommendations are made concerning the future relationship between planning and engineering geology.
