Another poor year for new quarry reserves

DURING 2006 quarrying companies once again suffered from a lack of consents for aggregates reserves to replenish volumes extracted during the year.

Around 100 million tonnes of new reserves are thought to have been granted in 2006, compared with just over 200 million tonnes of sand and gravel and crushed rock that were extracted during the year. This means that new consents for quarry reserves last year represented less than six months’ production (excluding a recent permission granted for over 400 million tonnes as an extension to a major coastal quarry, which is the subject of a legal agreement).

Although the picture is slightly better than in 2005, when only four-and-a-half months’ production was replenished, the latest figures continue to follow the trend witnessed over the six years since 2000, wherein less than half of the aggregates extracted have been replaced with consents for new reserves.

These are the conclusions of BDS Marketing Research Ltd, who have been monitoring planning applications and consents for new minerals over many years.

According to BDS, during 2006 the South-West and northern England, in particular, suffered from a lack of new planning permissions, while only the West Midlands and Wales managed to fully replace the aggregates produced last year. Once again, the South-East did not come close to replacing its levels of extraction, with new permissions granted in the region representing just five months’ production.

BDS say the position may improve during 2007, as they are aware of current outstanding applications nationally, which, if they were all consented, would give a further 125 million tonnes of reserves.

BDS produce a monthly report (available on annual subscription) listing planning applications and consents for all new minerals including aggregates, coal and other minerals, as well as asphalt plants. For further information contact Julian Clapp on tel: (01761) 433035.