| Administrative History | Rainge was a 129 hectare site located on the former Morton Colliery in the parishes of Clay Cross, Shirland and Higham, Pilsley, Morton and Stretton. The tip was later used as a landfill site and was acquired by Derbyshire County Council in 1984. The question before the inquiry, which opened on 7 June 1988, was whether to allow opencast mining to be carried out on the site. The British Coal Corporation had submitted a planning application relating to the site which Derbyshire County Council did not determine. British Coal appealed to the Secretary of State for the Environment, resulting in the inquiry. Derbyshire County Council was a main party in the appeal and therefore entitled to appear and give evidence.
The "Approach and Considerations" document prepared by Derbyshire County Council (see Folder A) suggested that the following numbered points would be the considerations on which the inquiry would "focus strongly":
"1.2 Rural nature
1.4 Open and prominent
2.1 Area subject to many previous operations
2.3 Prior to housing development
4.1 Improved policy and practice
4.2 Environmental concern, conclusions and recommendations
4.3 Endorsement of the Commission's findings
6.1 Little reclamation; outstanding restoration requirements
6.2 No development proposals; endorsed by Local Plans
6.5 No sterilisation considerations
7.2 Diminution and loss of amenity
7.4 Visual prominence; area will be a vast eyesore
7.5 Limitations on screen operations
7.6 Prolonged impact on the Springvale Community
8.1 Extensive previous disruption
8.2 Further disturbance should be strictly limited
8.4 Scheme excessive - improper regard to environmental residential protection"
The inquiry concluded on 16 Jun 1988. The Inspector's report was received by the Secretary of State for the Environment on 1 Jul 1988. On 22 Dec 1988, the decision was made to allow British Coal Corporation's application. (See Hansard record of written answers to parliamentary questions, dated 3 Jun 1991.) |