Will the Cabinet Secretary provide an update on the restoration plans for Parc Slip opencast mine?
A revised restoration scheme was granted planning permission in 2016 (P2016/0078). The scheme comprised engineering and landscaping works, including pumping, earthworks, soil relocation, installation of an overflow drainage channel, re-introduction of rights of ways across the site, agricultural (rehabilitation) works to establish vegetation and drainage (as an amendment to the previous restoration and aftercare scheme agreed under planning reference 2006).
Work on the restoration scheme commenced in May 2017, following safety work undertaken by the local authority, and restoration has now been completed. The site is currently in an extended aftercare period. Progress is still on-going to address outstanding highways and public rights of way matters.