China Clay - Cornwall · China Clay . Overall Site Referenc e Site Name Proposed Mineral Safeguarding Area Area not considered ... the dry mining plant with the later pumped to settling

Cornwall Minerals Safeguarding DPD Evidence Report: Mineral Site Profiles November 2016

China Clay Overall Site Reference

Site Name Proposed Mineral Safeguarding Area

Area not considered suitable for safeguarding

CC1 St Austell China Clay Area

C1 Fal OA1 As single combined CC1 Area

C2 Kernick OA2 As single combined CC1 Area

C3 C3 Treviscoe As single combined CC1 Area

C4 Trelavour Downs OA4a As single combined CC1 Area

C5 Rostowrack OA4b As single combined CC1 Area

C6 Goonvean OA4c As single combined CC1 Area

C7 Rescrowsa clay reserve As single combined CC1 Area

C8 Trelavour Works As single combined CC1 Area

C9 Bloomsdale OA6 As single combined CC1 Area

C10 Capalla Piplelines OA7 As single combined CC1 Area

C11 Goverseth OA8 As single combined CC1 Area

C12 Hendra OA9 As single combined CC1 Area

C13 Gothers OA10 As single combined CC1 Area

C14 Gilleys OA11 As single combined CC1 Area

C15 Karslake OA12 As single combined CC1 Area

C16 Blackpool OA13 As single combined CC1 Area

C17 Burngullow OA14 As single combined CC1 Area

C18 Gover OA15 As single combined CC1 Area

C19 Trethowel OA16 As single combined CC1 Area

C20 Greensplat OA17 As single combined CC1 Area

C21 Wheal Martyn OA18 As single combined CC1 Area

C22 Gunheath OA19 As single combined CC1 Area

C23 Great Wheal Prosper OA20 As single combined CC1 Area

C24 Goonbarrow OA21 As single combined CC1 Area

C25 Hallew OA22 As single combined CC1 Area

137

Cornwall Minerals Safeguarding DPD Evidence Report: Mineral Site Profiles November 2016

C26 Rosemellyn OA23 As single combined CC1 Area

C27 Molinnis OA24 As single combined CC1 Area

C28 Rocks OA25 As single combined CC1 Area

C29 Lantern OA26 As single combined CC1 Area

C30 Singlerose OA27 As single combined CC1 Area

C31 Penhale OA28 As single combined CC1 Area

C32 Baal OA29 As single combined CC1 Area

C33 Garker OA30 As single combined CC1 Area

C34 Bodelva OA31 As single combined CC1 Area

C35 Wheal Rashleigh OA32 As single combined CC1 Area

C36

Luxulyan OA33

C37 Innis Moor OA34 As single combined CC1 Area

C38 Clay Reserves 34 Treskilling As single combined CC1 Area

C39 Clay Reserves 35 As single combined CC1 Area

138

CC1 China Clay Area

Mineral type: Kaolin (China Clay) Planning Status: Active. Planning permission expires 21st February 2047. Site Description: Extensive planning permissions for winning and working of china clay in the

St Austell (Hensbarrow) area extend to some 88 square kilometres. although the area of active extraction, tipping, handling and processing sites is much smaller. The table below shows the status of permitted china clay extraction sites in Cornwall by Operational Area (2014).

Overall Safeguarding Score:

Green

Site/Planning History:

R10.ENV Review of Mineral Planning Permissions. - Approved on 10/02/1998. This permission has become due for its own 15 year review and an application in respect of this was previously made to the LPA on the 10th February 2013. This application (Ref: PA13/01142) has not been determined. See the individual site profiles for a more detailed overview of the site history for each Operational Area.

Status of permitted china clay extraction sites in Cornwall by Operational Area (2014) Site Status OA1 Fal Active OA2 Kernick Active (mica dam) OA3 Treviscoe Active OA4A Trelavour Downs Active (not currently working) OA4B Rostowrack Active OA4C Goonvean Active OA5 Trelavour Works Active (not currently working) OA6 Bloomsdale (Goonmaris) Not currently working (Long Term Working Area) OA7 Capalla Not currently working (Cessation of Mining Operations identified November 2011)

OA8 Goverseth Active (not currently working) OA9 Hendra Active OA10 Gothers Not currently working (Long Term Working Area) OA11 Gilleys Active OA12 Karslake Active OA13 Blackpool Inactive OA14 Burngullow Active (not currently working) OA15 Gover Not currently working (Long Term Working Area) OA16 Trethowel Not currently working (Long Term Working Area) OA17 Greensplat Active OA18 Wheal Martyn Active OA19 Gunheath Active OA20 Wheal Prosper Active (not currently working) OA21 Goonbarrow Not currently working OA22 Hallew Active (not currently working) OA23 Rosemellyn Not currently working (Long Term Working Area) OA24 Molinnis Not currently working (Long Term Working Area) OA25 Rocks Active OA26 Rosemellyn Not currently working (Long Term Working Area) OA27 Singlerose Active (not currently working) OA28 Penhale Active (not currently working) OA29 Baal Active (not currently working) OA30 Garker Not currently working (Long Term Working Area) OA31 Bodelva Active (not currently working) OA32 Wheal Rashleigh Not currently working (Long Term Working Area) OA33 Luxulyan Not currently working (Long Term Working Area) OA34 Innis Moor Not currently working

139

CC1 China Clay Area

It is proposed to safeguard around the St Austell China Clay Area planning permission with the buffer of 250 metres. See Site Profiles for the individual China Clay Operational Areas.

140

C1 Fal OA1

Grid reference: SW922 564 Mineral type: Kaolin (China Clay) Planning Status: Active. Planning permission expires 21st February 2047. Site area: 729 ha. Site Description: The Fal Operational Area, covering approximately 729ha, is an active mineral site

within the St Austell China Clay Area operated by Imerys Minerals (UK) Limited. The extraction of china clay is undertaken within the 3 pits of Wheal Remfry, Melbur and Virginia. Large quantities of mineral waste which arises from these pits continues to be deposited on the surface tips of Gaverigan and Scarcewater. Clay is extracted in both dry and wet forms with the former being processed on site in the dry mining plant with the later pumped to settling tanks located to the south of the operational area. The site remains busy, with ongoing extraction, disposal, restoration and aftercare operations. Tipping operations continue on both the Scarcewater and Gaverigan Tips and a large area of woodland has been undertaken on the western side of Scarcewater Tip along with the construction of the hedges in the eastern section of this area.

Safeguarding assessment information:

China clay of limited distribution. OA1 corresponds to two areas believed to contain china clay reserves (CR1 & CR2). Key area of working and key plant area.


Green


R10.ENV 97/00965 Review of Mineral Planning Permissions Approved 10/02/1998. CC/R/03/00808 (R27(13)) Construction of a surface tip for the disposal of china clay wastes (sand & stent) and ancillary developments. [This is a new application proposing a revised tipping scheme to that proposed in the initial application dated 25/1/02 -R27(9)] Approved 15/07/2003 95/739 R26(9) Winning and working of china clay and allied minerals Approved 08/08/1995 95/1138 (R27(7)) Tipping of waste from China Clay Workings Approved 12/03/1996. This site area has now been superseded by the Scarcewater Tip planning permission. 97/253 (R181(5)) Construction of a tip for the disposal of china clay waste materials Approved 03/04/1997 5005/C Approved 22/02/1954. No conditions were attached to this planning permission 8745/C Approved 20/05/1957 22637/CS R10.ENV/OA1 Mining operations in connection with the winning and working of china clay, china stone, mica, sand and allied minerals Approved 16/12/1963

Site visit details:

Not visited, fees monitoring regime.

Infrastructure: Melbur Refinery and Blockworks and Driers. Designations

AONB SSSI SAC SPA NNR WHS Small area bordering

the eastern boundary of the site (Goss & Tregoss Moors)

Small area bordering the eastern boundary of the site (Breney Common and Goss & Tregoss Moors).

141

C1 Fal (OA1)

This Operational Area will be combined with other Operational Areas to create a single large Safeguarding Area that covers the whole St Austell China Clay area.

See Site Profile CC1 St Austell China Clay Area

142

C2 Kernick OA2

Site name: Kernick (OA2) Site reference: C2 Grid reference: SW940 552 Mineral type: Kaolin (China Clay) Planning Status: Active (limited stent disposal and haul road through site) (Planning permission

expires 21st February 2042) Site area: 242 Ha. Site Description: This Operational Area consists largely of the Kernick Mica Dam which is centrally

located within the identified area. The construction of the Dam has largely been completed and there only remains a limited stent disposal operation at the north western end of the Dam. The majority of the remaining surface area of the dam is now being utilised as a Solar Farm under a separate planning permission. It was also observed that a haul road still exists across the dam which also remains unrestored at this time. This is a vast site and it is acknowledged that much of the southern low lying areas have previously been planted and restored.


China clay of limited distribution. Part of the area has permission for development of a solar farm (kernick mica dam). Only mica dam is being used. Majority of the site is restored. Drilling has revealed a resource. Potential in the mica dam to recover clay and lithium.


Green


PA13/09075 This permission is for a Block Works and Aggregate processing facility but this has not been implemented at the time of this visit.R10.ENV Review of Mineral Planning Permissions. - Approved on 10/02/1998. PA12/07557 Permission for a 12MW Solar Farm. This permission has now been implemented but it has not been routinely monitored as part of this report because it is not a development which falls within the fees for monitoring regime R10.ENV/OA2(4) Review of Mineral Planning Permissions - Approved on 04/08/1998.

Site visit details:

No site visit, fees monitoring regime.

Infrastructure: A haul road runs through the site.

Designations

AONB SSSI SAC SPA NNR WHS

Kernick mica dam Solar farm on restored area of Kernick

Mica Dam.

143

C2 Kernick OA2

This Operational Area will be combined with other Operational Areas to create a single large

Safeguarding Area that covers the whole St Austell China Clay area.


144

C3 Treviscoe (OA3) Grid reference: SW959 572 Mineral type: Kaolin (China Clay) Planning Status: Active (Planning permission expires 21st February 2042) Site area: 97 Ha. Site Description: Treviscoe Operational Area OA3 located in the western section of the China Clay District, between Treviscoe and St Dennis Island settlements and includes the hamlet of Little Treviscoe. It is bounded on its western and southern sides by the St Dennis mineral railway and on its eastern and northern sides by an unclassified road. The Operational Area is governed by the Review of old Mineral Planning Permissions (ROMP) (decision notice 97/00965 dated 10.02.1998) and the site specific conditions as approved in decision notice OA3 Treviscoe R10.ENV/OA3(5) dated 04.08.1998. More recently a retrospective permission was issued regularising an existing development forming part of the identified operational area (decision notice R/10/00093/MIN which has since been varied by application NR/10/00096/MIN to vary condition 2 dated 15.11.2010. The area comprises of seven sub operational blocks; Treviscoe Dryers, Treviscoe Blending Plant, Parkandillick Dryers, Treviscoe Pit, Treviscoe Tip, Parkandillick Pit and Slip Wharf. These blocks are largely “static” consisting of fixed plant areas with the exception of Treviscoe Pit and Parkandillick Pit. Extraction continues at depth as well at surface level in the north east section of Treviscoe Pit. The anticipated backfilling has not happened within the current ROMPs period and this should be addressed in the 2013 ROMPs review. Parkandillick Pit continues to be used primarily as a water reserve and containment lagoon for clay effluent although the operators are also dredging the pit for clay reserves which were historically disposed of here. There is no surface waste tipping within the Operational Area. Safeguarding assessment information:

China clay of limited distribution. C3 corresponds partially to an area believed to contain china clay reserves (CR3). Site is currently active and contains pit and driers, although some tips have been restored. Key plant area. CR3 and CR4 could be joined.


Green

Site/Planning History: PA13/10277 Part 19 Class A dated 13.12.2013. Application for prior approval for proposed new scrubber, disposal silo and associated pipework and pipe bridge. PA11/06279 dated 29.09.2011. Replacement of the existing office and welfare facilities (variation of Condition 2 of decision notice NR/10/00093/MIN). NR/10/00093/MIN dated 15.11.2010. Retrospective planning application to regularise existing planning permission for mineral related ancillary operations. 97/00965 dated 10.02.1998. Review of Mineral Planning Permissions R10.ENV/OA3(5) dated 04.08.1998. Review of mineral planning permissions. 98/270 (R36(6)) 23.04.1998. Highway crossing point between Treviscoe and Rostowrack. The public highway has been closed for the past two years due to stability issues. Site visit details: No visit, fees monitoring regime Infrastructure: Bounded on its western and southern sides by the St Dennis mineral railway.

The area comprises Treviscoe Dryers, Treviscoe Blending Plant, Parkandillick Dryers, Treviscoe Pit, Treviscoe Tip, Parkandillick Pit and Slip Wharf.

Designations AONB SSSI SAC SPA NNR WHS

Photograph looking north eastwards across Treviscoe Pit

Photograph showing the dredger working in Parkandillack Pit.

145

C3 Treviscoe (OA3)



146

C4 Trelavour Downs OA4a

Site name: Trelavour OA4a Site reference: C4 Grid reference: SW959 572 Mineral type: Kaolin (China Clay) Planning Status: Active. Planning permission expires 21st February 2042 Site area: 48 Ha. Site Description: Trelavour Downs is located to the south east of St Dennis and is bounded on two sides by the Hendra Operational Area. Gothers Road forms a boundary to the northwest of the site. The site includes several old disused small china clay workings and their associated waste tips as well as a geological SSSI. The site is governed by the overarching decision notice 97/00965 dated 10.02.1998 and the original planning permissions namely 26967/C and 26974/C dated 29.03.1965. The Scheme of Working, Site Access and Conditions required in Condition 5 of decision notice 97/00965 dated 10.02.1998 1998 was submitted on 06.08.2007 but at the time of this visit had not been determined. More recently, the mineral review application (RoMP) for the China Clay district was submitted in February 2013. The RoMP application will review the Schemes of Working for the individual operational areas and the Local Planning Authority suggests the requirements of this condition be deferred until the RoMP application has been determined. Operations remain infrequent. Extraction is concentrated to the central pit but remains intermittent in nature and only ‘as and when’ required. Previously, the vegetation on the old waste tips to the south of the pit had been cleared. The historical tanks in this area have not been disturbed and require the approval of a WSI. Wastes were being tipped on the second bench adjacent to Gothers Road to bring the levels inline with the adjacent tip. However Imerys have indicated there is little intention to continue tipping in this area in the near future. They are considering implementing some profiling and planting on the outer flanks. The outer face of the first bench was hydroseeded in June 2011. The area to the north of Brewers Hill road remains unaffected by development and is designated open access land. A geological SSSI is located opposite this area consisting of shallow workings of a limited surface extent of a pegmatite body. This area remains unaffected by development. The south eastern area of the site bordering Hendra Operational Area has been regenerated to a wetland area. The eastern end of the site and been returned to pasture land and is thought to be grazed by cattle. Safeguarding assessment information:

China clay of limited distribution. OA4a corresponds to an area believed to contain china clay reserves (CR9). Intermittent extraction which will continue in the future.


Green

Site/Planning History: 97/00965 dated 10.02.1998. Review of Mineral Planning Permissions. 26967/C dated 29.03.1965. Mining operations in connection with the winning and working of china clay, china stone, mica, sand and allied minerals. – Unconditional permission. 26974/C dated 29.03.1965. Mining operations in connection with the winning and working of china clay, china stone, mica, sand and allied minerals. - The two conditions within this permission refer to roadside verges throughout the China Clay District. However due to the time which has lapsed since this permission was issued and that numerous highway improvement and alteration schemes would have been implemented since this time, the Local Planning Authority does not consider it expedient to monitor these conditions. Site visit details:

Not visited, fees monitoring regime.

Infrastructure: N/A Designations

AONB SSSI SAC SPA NNR WHS (Trelavour

Downs SSSI)

147

C4 Trelavour Downs OA4a



Photograph looking south eastwards across the extraction area

148

C5 Rostowrack OA4b

Site name: Rostowrack OA4b Site reference: C5 Grid reference: SW949 563 Mineral type: Kaolin (China Clay) Planning Status: Active. Planning permission expires 21st February 2047. Site area: 101 Ha. Site Description: Rostowrack Operational Area is located between Nanpean and St Dennis. It is virtually bounded on all sides by public highways and the south eastern corner abuts the residential areas of Nanpean. The site is governed by the overarching decision notice 97/00965 dated 10.02.1998. The Scheme of Working, Site Access and Conditions has yet to be approved and therefore the original planning permissions namely 26967/C, 26969/C, 26972/C, 26974/C dated 29.03.1965 remain extant. Permissions have also been granted for the use of a public highway cross-over and for the construction of storage tanks under Part 19 approval R32(4) dated 21.07.2006. The current extraction area lies in northern half of the operational area and continues in a westerly direction towards the sand processing plant and sand tips. Goonvean Aggregates control the processing plant located near the sand plant. The nature of operations within the south eastern area known as Quarry Close remains low key and limited to vehicle maintenance workshops and a driver training depot. Permission was granted to backfill the former quarry known as Quarry Close No 1 but the permission was never implemented. Today the quarry remains flooded and is used to provide water to the lorry wash plant. The adjacent fields remain as pasture land and are currently used for grazing. The More recently, the mineral review application (RoMP) for the China Clay district was submitted in February 2013. The RoMP application will review the Schemes of Working for the individual operational areas. Safeguarding assessment information:

China clay of limited distribution. OA4b corresponds to an area believed to contain china clay reserves (CR7). Currently extracting in this area. Key plant area.


Green

Site/Planning History: R171(2) dated 27.07.2007. Proposed variation to permitted use of cross-over, to allow additional use by China Clay dump trucks, with proposed highway signage. R32(4) dated 21.07.2006. Prior approval for the construction of storage tanks. Other than identifying it was built in accordance with the submitted documents this requires no further monitoring. 97/00965 dated 10.02.1998. Review of Mineral Planning Permissions. 91/1742/F dated 21.09.1992. Infilling of disused quarry using builder’s and construction waste at Quarry Close No 1. Permission not implemented. 89/18//01052/F dated 31.07.1989. Formation of a lorry park at Quarry Close Workshops, St Georges Road. The operations are considered ‘low key’ and are limited to vehicle workshops and a training depot and do not require monitoring at each visit to Rostowrack Operational Area. 59453/C dated 13.02.1974. Change of use from mineral separation plant to dumper repair shop and erection of dumper repair shop. The operations are considered ‘low key’ and are limited to vehicle workshops and a training depot and do not require monitoring at each visit to Rostowrack Operational Area. Mining operations in connections with the winning and working of china clay, china stone, mica sand and allied minerals. Unconditional permission. 26969/C dated 29.03.1965. Mining operations in connections with the winning and working of china clay, china stone, mica sand and allied minerals. Unconditional permission. 26972/C dated 29.09.1965. Mining operations in connections with the winning and working of china clay, china stone, mica sand and allied minerals. Unconditional permission. 26974/C dated 29.03.1965. Mining operations in connections with the winning and working of china clay, china stone, mica sand and allied minerals. The two conditions within this permission refer to specific roadside verges throughout the China Clay District. However due to the time which has lapsed since this permission was issued and that numerous highway improvement and alteration schemes would have been implemented since this time, the Local Planning Authority does not consider it expedient to monitor these conditions. Site visit details: No site visit. Last fees visit 21st March 2014 Infrastructure: Secondary Aggregates processing plant.


149

C5 Rostowrack OA4b



Photograph looking northwards across the pit, showing the sand plant

operated by Goonvean Aggregates on the top of the pit on the left.

150

C6 Goonvean OA4c

Site name: Goonvean OA4c Site reference: C6 Grid reference: SW947 552 Mineral type: Kaolin (China Clay) Planning Status: Active. Planning permission expires 21st February 2042. Site area: 69 Ha. Site Description: Goonvean Operational Area lies in the south west region of the China Clay District.

It is bounded to the north by the mineral railway, to the west by the Treviscoe to St Stephen road, to the south by the Nanpean to St Stephen road and to the east by the Goonamarris to St Dennis road. The site is governed by the overarching china clay decision notice 97/00965 dated 10.02.1998. The Scheme of Working required in Condition 5 of this notice has been submitted but has not been determined. More recently, the mineral review application (RoMP) for the China Clay district was submitted in February 2013. The RoMP application is expected to review the Schemes of Working for the individual Operational Areas and the Local Planning Authority suggests that the requirements of this condition be deferred until the RoMP application has been determined. As the site specific Scheme of Working has yet to be approved the original mineral permissions remain extant, namely 22636/CS dated 16/12/63, 22637/CS dated 16/12/63, 22719/CS dated 16/12/63, 26967/C dated 29/03/65, 26974/C dated 29/03/65 and 31697/CS 24/10/66. Extraction has been progressed in an easterly / north easterly direction. The Listed Building status of Goonvean Engine House was removed by application 07/01454 dated 11.02.2008. The Engine House was removed during the summer months of 2011 and the Beam Engine and parts of the Engine House remain stored on site. On the northwest side of Goonvean Pit lies Trethosa Pit which is being backfilled using waste generated outside of this Operational Area.


China clay of limited distribution. OA4c corresponds to an area believed to contain china clay reserves (CR4). Currently extracting and tipping in this area.


Green


PA14/02599 dated 31.03.2014. Temporary processing of China Clay waste to provide feed material for adjacent blockworks and secondary aggregates and for sale on site (to include the temporary storage of feedstock and processed materials). 07/00403/PART19 dated 20.08.2007. Part 19 Two new entrance lobbies. 07/000982 dated 31.08.2007 by the former Restormel Borough Council. Demolition of existing buildings, erection of two new buildings to house 11 commercial units type B1, B2, B8 use with new associated car parking. 06/00282/MIN dated 11.07.2006. Part 19 Proposed Laboratory Facility. 99/00010/PART19 dated 24.03.1999. Part 19 Extension to Office Block. 97/00965 dated 10.02.1998. Review of Mineral Planning Permissions. 31697/CS dated 24.10.1966. Deposition of waste from china clay works, closure of highway, construction of highway diversion, erection of offices, garages, workshops, stores and laboratories.

Site visit details:

No. Last fees visit 2nd September 2014


151

C6 Goonvean OA4c



Photograph showing Trethosa Pit.

Photograph looking north westwards across Goonvean Pit.

152

C7 Rescrowsa clay reserve

Site name: Roscrowsa Clay Reserve (OA4d) Site reference: C7 Grid reference: SW954 537 Mineral type: Kaolin (China Clay) Planning Status: Dormant. Site area: Unknown Site Description: Area of china clay reserves around Carloggas. Block works within china clay area.

The site is unoperational and no mineral activities have been carried out at the site for some time.


China clay of limited distribution. OA4d corresponds to an area believed to contain china clay reserves (CR5). Block works within china clay area. The site is unoperational and no mineral activities have been carried out at the site for some time. The site is now Dormant. Industry drilling indicates that this is not a good quality resource.


Amber


Dormant.

Site visit details:

No visit.

Designations

AONB SSSI SAC SPA NNR WHS SSSI (Tregargus Quarries Geological SSSI along

western boundary of the site).

153

C7 Rescrowsa clay reserve This Operational Area will be combined with other Operational Areas to create a single large



154

C8 Trelavour Works

Site name: Trelavour Works (OA5) Site reference: C8 Grid reference: SW942 575 Mineral type: Kaolin (China Clay) Planning Status: Active Site area: 31 Ha. Site Description: Trelavour Works Operational Area is located in the north west of the St Austell

china clay region and lies to the south west of St Dennis. The majority of the Trelavour Works Operational Area lies to the west of the Cornwall Mineral Railway and remains largely unoperational. No mineral related developments have taken place on this land for some time. The dryers complex is located to the east of the Cornwall Mineral Railway and is used to house plant and equipment for the processing, drying and storage of china clay. No extraction or tipping of quarry waste occurs at this site.


China clay of limited distribution. Area to West of Mineral Railway is unoperational and there are no plans to undertake any clay extraction, tipping or ancillary works in the forseeable future. Trelavour works contains plant and equipment for processing, drying and storage of china clay. Still a working plant area.


Green


The site is governed by the overarching 1998 china clay blanket ROMP’s permission namely decision notice 97/00965 dated 10.02.1998 and the site specific conditions of decision notice OA5 Trelavour kilns (R10.Env/OA5) dated 18.05.2000. The site has also been subject to several improvements and expansions over the years, the majority of which have been granted under Part 19 Class permitted development.

Site visit details:

No, fees monitoring regime.

Infrastructure: House plant and equipment for the processing, drying and storage of china clay.

Designations

AONB SSSI SAC SPA NNR WHS Goss & Tregoss Moors Breney Common and Goss & Tregoss Moors

155

C8 Trelavour Works



156

C9 Bloomsdale OA6

Site name: Bloomsdale OA6 Site reference: C9 Grid reference: SW953 554 Mineral type: Kaolin (China Clay) Planning Status: Active (not operational). Planning permission expires 21st February 2042. Site area: 31 Ha. Site Description: This Operational Area is located to the south west of the village of Nanpean and is

triangular in shape. It is bordered on two sides by roads, one of which has been the subject of a closure by the highways authority and the third side is bordered by a railway line. There are no indications that this site has been operated since the overarching china clay ROMPS was issued in 1998. The site comprises of two historical china clay works. The former Goonamarris China Clay and Stone Works lies in the north of the operational area and has previously been backfilled with mica. This pit is shown in picture B on page 6 of this report. The former Bloomdale China Clay and Stone Works lies to the south of the operational area and is believed to have closed in 1942. This pit is also shown on page 6 of this report as picture A. This disused pit has also been backfilled with mica waste and it is understood that during the back filling process, the southern pit was used as a company water reserve and the remains of the pumping pipe work are still evident at the site. The areas surrounding both pits comprises of historical waste tips some of which are revegetated sky tips and there are remnants of the former engine houses, chimneys and settling tanks.


China clay of limited distribution. OA6 corresponds to an area believed to contain china clay reserves (CR8). Site is not operational, two former pits now backfilled. Mica resource, CR4 and 8 could join.


Green


97/00965 Review of Mineral Planning Permissions. Approved on 10/02/1998. This permission is currently being reviewed and an application in respect of this was submitted to the LPA on the 10th February 2013.

Site visit details:

No, fees monitoring regime


Bloomdale Pit Goonamarris pit

157

C9 Bloomsdale OA6 This Operational Area will be combined with other Operational Areas to create a single large



158

C10 Capalla Piplelines OA7 Site name: Capalla Piplelines Site reference: C10 Grid reference: SW963 543 Mineral type: Kaolin (china clay) Planning Status: Active (not operational - A cessation of Mining Operations was identified on 27th

November 2008). Planning permission until February 2042. Site area: 113 Ha. Site Description: Carpalla Operational Area is located between the village of Foxhole and the

hamlets of Goonabarn and Carloggas. The site is bound on the eastern side by the ribbon development of Carpalla and Foxhole alongside the B3279, on the north and west sides by the minor roads connecting Goonabarn and Carloggas and on the south side by farmland. The developments at Carpalla fall within the overarching St Austell china clay ROMP, namely Decision Notice 97/00965 dated 10.02.1999. Further to this, the site specific conditions and scheme of working were approved in decision notice OA7 Carpalla (R10. Env/OA7) dated 07.02.2000. The approved scheme of working provided for the dredging of Carpalla Pit whilst being backfilled with micaceous residues and trade effluent. The Mid Cornwall Lagoons were to be used for the purposes of re-circulating water. Penbough Pit was to act as a water reserve, fed by overflows draining from Carpalla Pit and from Mid Cornwall Lagoons. However prior to the completion of the working scheme, a 'Cessation of Mining Operations’ was identified on 27.11.2008


China clay of limited distribution. Partially an area believed to contain china clay resources. A cessation of Mining Operations was identified on 27th November 2008. No mining or the deposition of mica, sand or other deposits are currently taking place. The resource is worked out. Rail and pipelines are present at this site and these should be retained.


Red – Pipelines only


OA7 Carpalla (R10. Env/OA7) dated 07.02.2000. Review of Mineral Planning Permissions for the Carpalla Operational Area. 97/00965 dated 10.02.1998. Review of Mineral Planning Permissions. (Whilst it is acknowledged that the conditional limitations imposed by the overarching China Clay Review permission remain extant, as a cessation of ‘Mineral Operations’ has been identified, it is not considered expedient to review the conditions imposed by the 1998 permission.

Site visit details:

No visit, fees monitoring regime

Infrastructure: Rail and pipelines are present at this site and these should be retained.

Designations


159

C10 Capalla Piplelines OA7 Infrastructure only to be safeguarded – pipelines

160

C11 Goverseth OA8

Grid reference: SW960 552 Mineral type: Kaolin (china clay). Planning Status: Active Planning permission expires 21st February 2042. Site area: 77 Ha. Site Description: The Goverseth Operational Area occupies a significant area of land between the

villages of Foxhole to the south and Nanpean to the north, both of which have grown significantly in recent years. Not all of the Operational Area is understood to currently be in the ownership and control of the operator as there are acknowledged to be several light industrial units and private dwellings located within this area. The closest of which is probably the terrace of houses located on the northern side of the Drinnick Stores. The southern section of the site contains the former Carloggas Mica Dam, for which there remains a current planning permission to re-process and recover china clay. This development is subject to the submission and approval of certain environmentally associated planning schemes. The surface of this area has previously been planted and it appears unlikely that any reserves in this area will be re worked in the near future. The remainder of this area is bisected by the railway line. The area on the western side of the railway line is also owned by Imerys Minerals Limited and is utilised as a power generating facility along with a system of settlement tanks and lagoons which work in conjunction with the sites effluent treatment system which discharges through the regulated control point at the south west of the site.


China clay of limited distribution. Corresponds to an area believed to contain china clay reserves (CR 9) and an area identified for plant development. Operations undertaken at this site consist largely of refining, processing and engineering workshops. There is currently no extraction of clay taking place.


Green


R10.ENV/OA8 Review of Mineral Planning Permission. (Area 8, Goverseth) - Approved on 30/09/1999. R10.ENV Review of Mineral Planning Permissions. - Approved on 10/02/1998.

Site visit details:

Not visited, fees monitoring regime

Infrastructure: Railway line runs through the site. Settlement tanks and lagoons are located in on the site which work in conjunction with the sites effluent treatment system. Drinnick workshops, Offices and Store are located towards the northern part of the site.


central southern area Mica Dam

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C11 Goverseth OA8



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C12 Hendra OA9 Site name: Hendra (OA9) Site reference: C12 Grid reference: SW959 567 Mineral type: Kaolin (china clay) Planning Status: Active. Planning permission until February 2042 Site area: 91 Ha. Site Description: Hendra Operational Area is located in the western area of the China Clay District,

occupying land between the villages of Nanpean, St Dennis and Whitemoor. The greater part of the site is non-operational forming mixed habitats of flooded pits, woodland, scrub, acid grassland and heathland. The “Operational Areas” of Hendra Pit are used for mica disposal and include the haul road between Rostowrack and Currian Vale. The development still remains operations whereby mica disposal continues to take place from the eastern side of the pit.


China clay of limited distribution. Corresponds to an area believed to contain china clay reserves (CR11). The greater part of the site is 'non operational' forming mixed habitats of flooded pits, woodland, scrub, acid grassland and heathland. The operational areas comprise the flooded Hendra pit which is used as a water reserve and for the disposal of mica along with the haul road between Rostowrack and Currian Vale which passes around the southern side of the former pit. Plant area has been removed. The pit is backfilled with mica but this has a low clay content


Amber


OA9 Hendra [R10.Env.OA9 (1)] Review of mineral planning permissions. Approved on dated 13/02/2004 97/00965 Review of Mineral Planning Permissions. Approved on 10/02/1998. The existence of this decision notice is acknowledged, but as it has previously expired and is currently being reviewed.

Site visit details:

No site visit, fees monitoring regime

Infrastructure: None

Designations


The above picture shows a selection of the mica beaches which currently exist as viewed from the eastern side of the former pit.

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C12 Hendra OA9 This Operational Area will be combined with other Operational Areas to create a single large



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C13 Gothers OA10

Site name: Gothers (OA10) Site reference: C13 Grid reference: SW961 584 Mineral type: Kaolin (china clay) Planning Status: Active Site area: 174 Ha. Site Description: This Operational Area is largely not operational although water storage and

pumping operations take place at the site are incidental to the existing neighbouring mining operations.


China clay of limited distribution. Corresponds to an area believed to contain china clay reserves (CR12 and CR13). No extraction taking place only the catchment, storage and utilisation of water from the two former pits at this site. Partially an area identified for plant development. Key plant area.


Green


97/00965 Review of Mineral Planning Permissions. - Approved on 10/02/1998

Site visit details:

No visit, fees monitoring regime

Infrastructure: Catchment, storage and utilisation of water from the two former pits at this site. Designations


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C13 Gothers OA10 This Operational Area will be combined with other Operational Areas to create a single large



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C14 Gilleys OA11

Grid reference: SW979 588 Mineral type: Kaolin (china clay) Planning Status: Active. Planning permission until 21st February 2042 Site area: 42 hectares Site Description: Gilleys Operational Area is located in the north of the china clay district, occupying

land north of the public road between Tresays and Whitemoor and east of the public highway between Roche and Whitemoor. The area is governed by the overarching china clay ROMP namely decision notice 97/00965 dated 10th February 1998 which is currently being reviewed and the site specific conditions in decision notice R10.Env.OA11 dated 25th May 2001. Both the tip and the dam were understood to have been completed for operational purposes during the 1980’s. Since this time the site had undergone a programme of restoration as required by condition 4.4(b) of decision notice R10.Env.OA11 dated 25th May 2001. The exact date of the completion of the restoration and planting has not been established but it is acknowledged that any required aftercare period is likely to have previously expired. A further permission has since been issued for the construction of a Solar Farm which is to be located on the former Mica dam but this has not been implemented at this time.


China clay of limited distribution. Mica dam. Planning permission was granted on the 5th August 2011 for the development of a solar farm on the surface of the mica dam.


Amber


PA11/03436 Proposed Solar Farm approved on the 5th August 2011. This permission had not been implemented in 2014. R10.ENV - OA11 (1) Submission of Site Specific Scheme of Conditions - Approved on 25/05/2004 97/00965 Review of Mineral Planning Permissions - Approved on 10/02/1998.

Site visit details:


Infrastructure: No

Designations AONB SSSI SAC SPA NNR WHS Western edge of site. Western edge of site.

The overburden tip which is shown in the picture below lies in the north western corner of the Operational Area to the north of the public footpath.

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C14 Gilleys OA11



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C15 Karslake OA12

Grid reference: SW977 570 Mineral type: Kaolin (china clay) Planning Status: Active (planning permission until February 2042). Site area: 742 Ha. Site Description: The Karslake operational area consists of several neighbouring pits, being

Littlejohns, Dorothy, Greater and Lower Longstones and Old Pound, most of which have their own associated former tips. Littlejohns is the largest pit by area and this was being actively worked in several locations. Littlejohns pit has recently been extended in a southerly direction close to the Wheal Martyn crossing where clay is being extracted by a washing process. Located between the extension area and the main pit is a secondary aggregate processing operation which is undertaken by Brookland’s. Littlejohns Pit is also understood to have received excavated material from the neighbouring Higher Moor Pit where it is also washed along with the existing material. An area between Greater Longstones and Lower Longstones pit has previously been observed to have been operated at a lower level of intensity to produce clay by both dry mining excavation and localised washing operations. Dorothy pit which is located on the western side of the operational area is no longer being worked for clay but is being actively back filled with waste/stent material which is generated from the production of clay.


China clay of limited distribution. Corresponds to an area believed to contain china clay reserves (CR15). China clay is currently being extracted. Significant amounts of sand and stone from Littlejohns pit is now being processed and exported from site. Second most important operational area and includes aggregates working.


Green


PA13/01156. Processing and sales of china clay waste for secondary aggregates and the storage and removal of such minerals. R10.ENV Review of Mineral Planning Permissions. - Approved on 10/02/1998. R4 Extension and modification to Littlejohns Sand Tip and Pit - Approved on 19/03/1994.

Site visit details: No, fees monitoring regime Infrastructure: Secondary aggregate processing (Brooklands)


Littlejohns Pit.

Between Greater Longstones and Lower Dorothy Pit as viewed from the south western side. Longstones pit.

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C15 Karslake OA12



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C16 Blackpool OA13

Grid reference: SW979 543 Mineral type: Kaolin (china clay) Planning Status: Active (no operations since 2007). Planning permission expires February 2042. Site area: 442 Ha. Site Description: Although an active mineral planning permission exists, Blackpool Operational Area

remains non-operational in respect of any winning and working of mineral since operations ceased in 2007. The former pit areas have since been allowed to naturally fill with water and a pumping pontoon has been installed in what was the northern most pit to utilise the water as a company reserve and maintain levels. Over time water levels have risen to a point at which the water reserve now combines the two former pits. It appears that a change of use in planning terms to leisure based activities have since taken place within the former pit. Some works are acknowledged to have previously taken place on site to remove redundant metal pipe work from the settlement tanks and surrounding areas on the eastern side of the site. Pipe work was collected in skips and removed from site by lorry through the southern entrance once the skips are filled. No such works were observed to be taking place at the time of this visit and the skips appear to have been removed. Many of the buildings still exist in the southern area of the site that are falling into disrepair.


China clay of limited distribution. Corresponds to an area believed to contain china clay (CR14 & CR16). Operations at this site ceased at this site in December 2007. Partially an eco-town proposed site. Plant area will be removed so could be revised. Resource is still present. CR16 could be revised to be included within the OA boundary.


Green


R11(12) Application to vary Conditions 2 & 4.6 of Decision Notice R10.ENV(OA13) dated 22 March 2001 to undertake landscape alterations to Watch Hill Tip. - Approved on 21/09/2005 R10.ENV Review of Mineral Planning Permissions. - Approved on 10/02/1998

Site visit details:



The water filled pits which have now been linked by the volume of water.

Disused buildings to the south of the area.

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C16 Blackpool OA13



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C17 Burngullow OA14

Site name: Burngallow OA14 Site reference: C17 Grid reference: SW983 526 Mineral type: Kaolin (china clay) Planning Status: Active Site area: 64 Ha. Site Description: This operational area has formerly been used as a processing and refinery site with

substantial storage facilities in the form of covered buildings, silos and tanks. There is no winning or working of minerals taking place on site for some time and as such a commencement of a cessation of working was recorded in 18th April 2013.


China clay of limited distribution. Partially corresponds with an area identified for plant development. Plant area removed.


Amber


R10.ENV Review of Mineral Planning Permissions. - Approved on 10/02/1998. This decision notice is currently being reviewed as part of the 15 yearly review process and an application in respect of this was received by the LPA on the 10th February 2013.

Site visit details:

Fees monitoring regime

Infrastructure: Rail sidings, dryers and mills (not-operations)

Designations


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C17 Burngullow OA14 This Operational Area will be combined with other Operational Areas to create a single large



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Documents

China Clay - Cornwall · China Clay . Overall Site Referenc e Site Name Proposed Mineral Safeguarding Area Area not considered ... the dry mining plant with the later pumped to settling