RESIDENTS have a chance today to find out all about Worcestershire’s plans for the future of mineral development in the area with an open day at Bromsgrove District Council offices.

The open day is taking place today (Wednesday, December 4 at the Spadesbourne Suite from 2.30-8pm and people will have the opportunity to put questions to those creating the county’s Minerals Local Plan.

The plan will establish guidelines for the amount of minerals that should come from Worcestershire along with setting out policies to ensure any development happens in the right places and that, once works are finished, restoration takes place to ensure social, environmental and economic benefits for the areas concerned.

Worcestershire County Council is running a 12 week consultation on the plan, which will be running until the end of January, showing residents which minerals have been located in the county and where, as well as whether they should be worked.

Councillor Simon Geraghty, Worcestershire County Council's cabinet member for economy, skills and infrastructure, said: "It's important that anyone who has a view takes the opportunity share them during this consultation period. The Minerals Local Plan will be used to determine future planning applications and will work to ensure that any future development happens in the right places. It will also include guidelines on appropriate restoration so, once sites are worked they are then restored to provide social, environmental and economic benefits for communities.

"I'd encourage anyone interested to come along to the open days to find out more and have their say. Your view will help shape this important document. At this stage no specific sites have been identified for development - even if a part of the county is marked as an 'area for search' it does not necessarily mean it will be worked."

Details of the consultation can be viewed at worcestershire.gov.uk/minerals or for further information on copies of any of the consultation documents call 01905 766374 or write to minerals@worcestershire.gov.uk, or Freepost SWC-1253, Minerals and Waste Planning Policy, Worcestershire County Council, County Hall, Worcester, WR5 2NP.