BAA voices concern over archaeological restrictions

THE British Aggregates Association says it is increasingly concerned at the further delays and high costs being experienced by many of its SME members by the imposition of what it describes as ‘over-the-top’ pre-application archaeological investigations.

"Although the industry supports the need for a reasonable, rapid and inexpensive search, as laid out in planning guidance (PPG15), where there is evidence of significant nationally important archaeological remains, the BAA says there has been a trend in the South and East Anglia, and more recently in Yorkshire, for planning authorities to impose more onerous conditions that have made several operators consider sterilizing reserves rather than proceeding."

The BAA has written to Planning Minister Keith Hill requesting that he review both the guidance itself and the application of the guidance by individual mineral planning authorities.

"BAA secretary Peter Huxtable said: ‘We specifically requested that any archaeological digs be carried out subsequent to any successful approval of the mineral application but prior to the commencement of operations –– this would go a long way towards resolving the current problems, particularly for SME operators. Obviously, we would also need to be clear about the extent and limit of such excavations.’"

"He added: ‘Once again there is evidence that while the Government remains committed to speeding-up the planning process and making it more industry friendly, some local authorities are thwarting this and not ensuring that time limits for consultees are rigidly enforced.’"