Wales seeks 500m opencast buffer zone

As a further consultation on the draft Coal TAN, Welsh Assembly Group (WAG) Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing, Jane Davidson, is seeking a 500m buffer zone between future extraction sites and nearby housing.

Details of the buffer, which would affect any future extensions of existing opencast sites as well as any new mining activity, are published in new revised planning guidance.

In exceptional circumstances developments could be permitted closer to settlements for reasons such as health and safety, and to remediate old shallow workings, says Davidson.