The UK-based Mineral Products Association has said that it welcomes the publication of the draft National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) but there is some concern about the details of it. The association said that and a number of initiatives it includes are essential to support economic growth. According to the MPA the policy also fits with the Localism Bill, which addressed the exclusion of minerals development from neighbourhood plans and third party rights of appeal which were essential measures to ens
The UK-based Mineral Products Association has said that it welcomes the publication of the draft National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) but there is some concern about the details of it.
The association said that and a number of initiatives it includes are essential to support economic growth. According to the MPA the policy also fits with the Localism Bill, which addressed the exclusion of minerals development from neighbourhood plans and third party rights of appeal which were essential measures to ensure a steady and adequate supply of minerals.
“The draft NPPF certainly has met its aim of simplifying and reducing the volume of print in this complex area although we have serious concerns on the detail and the legacy of the more effective elements of the current mineral planning system,” said MPA chief executive Nigel Jackson.
“We are surprised that the NPPF has not yet completely clarified the future of the Managed Aggregate Supply System (MASS) and hope that this will be retained in some form, as implied in the draft. We are also concerned at the potential wholesale loss of key mineral planning guidance notes which could have serious long term investment implications for the silica sand and cement industries already struggling under the weight of carbon, energy and other regulations, as well as having implications for technical matters relating to noise, dust and restoration on most quarry sites.
“The draft also does not appear to have attempted to address the issue of waste planning, which normally goes hand in hand with minerals planning, at least in terms of policy.
“MPA believes that the draft NPPF is a step in the right direction, but there is a considerable amount of fine tuning to do and MPA looks forward to continuing to work with Government to achieve the best possible result for industry, the economy and the environment.”
