Minerals and Waste Development Framework (MWDF) : Cumbria County Council

The County Council is preparing its Minerals and Waste Development Framework (MWDF) which will set out policies and proposals for minerals and waste management developments over the period to 2020.

The MWDF acts as a folder for four Development Plan Documents that will make up the new plan. These are: Core Strategy; Site Allocations; Generic Development Control Policies; and a Proposals Map.

The Core Strategy and Generic Development Control Policies were formally adopted by the County Council on 23 April 2009.

It is intended to undertake a review of the Core Strategy in the light of radioactive waste national policy clarity and the Government's intention to revoke regional planning policy.

The timetable for the MWDF is described in the Minerals and Waste Development Scheme (MWDS). The latest MWDS came into effect on 21 February 2011. The way the County Council is encouraging people to participate in preparing the plan is set out in the Statement of Community Involvement.

High Court Challenge to the Site Allocations Policies

The Site Allocations Policies and Proposals Map were adopted on 20 January 2011. However as a result of a successful legal challenge, the adopted Site Allocations Policies and Proposals Map were subsequently quashed by the High Court. The challenge was made by Barrow Borough Council and concerned the inclusion in Policy 7 of an Area of Search for sand and gravel at Roosecote near Barrow without a further round of consultations. Cumbria County Council has subsequently re-consulted on the Site Allocations Policies during Autumn 2011 and is now considering the responses received.