MPA welcomes revised NPPF

The importance of a resilient minerals supply chain has been reinforced by policies in the revised Framework

THE Mineral Products Association (MPA) has welcomed the revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), published on 24 July, which recognizes that a sufficient supply of minerals is essential to provide the infrastructure, buildings, energy and goods that society relies upon.

The MPA has been pressing government to recognize that minerals and mineral products, and the industry that supplies them, provide the foundations for the economy and our quality of life. Supply cannot be assumed; and the revised NPPF reinforces the need for an effective policy framework to ensure these essential raw materials can be delivered through the mineral planning system.

At a time when supplies are becoming strained by increasing demands, the need to ensure a steady and adequate supply of aggregates and industrial minerals has arguably never been stronger, particularly in light of the Government’s focus on the need for more housing and infrastructure.

The importance of a resilient supply chain of raw materials to ensure the security of sustainable mineral supply over the medium and long term, which was identified in the recently published Industrial Strategy Construction Sector Deal, has now been further reinforced by the policies contained in the revised NPPF.

Mark Russell, executive director of planning at the MPA, said: ‘The Mineral Products Association broadly welcomes the publication of the revised National Planning Policy Framework. While this understandably focuses on the Government’s priorities around housing, in doing so it is telling that the NPPF also recognizes that the sufficient supply of minerals to provide the infrastructure, buildings, energy and goods that the country needs is essential.

‘The continuing need for mineral planning authorities to plan for a steady and adequate supply of aggregates and industrial minerals reinforces the fact that supply cannot be assumed, but needs to be planned, monitored and managed to ensure that the right minerals are made available in the right place and at the right time to support the Government’s priorities around housing and infrastructure.’