Proposed new guidelines for quarrying in England

A CONSULTATION paper on draft revised national and regional guidelines for aggregates provision in England for the period 2001–2016 has been issued by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM).

"Monitoring by the ODPM and the Regional Aggregate Working Parties (RAWPs) has shown that the current guidelines for England in MPG6, published in April 1994, were based on assumptions about demand that are much higher than recent production levels suggest. The new guidelines have therefore been prepared as a matter of urgency, pending the full review of the remainder of the guidance in MPG6, which remains in force for the time being."

"The new draft guidelines are based upon up-to-date forecasts of demand and on simple assumptions about future sources of supply including the contribution of alternative materials, net imports and inter-regional sales of aggregates. Assumptions concerning recycled and secondary materials are updated from those in the 1994 MPG6, in line with government policy to encourage the appropriate use of these materials."

"If endorsed by the consultation, the new figures would be about 25% lower than current guidelines. This, according to the ODPM, should lead to a reduction in the environmental impacts of aggregates supply by reducing the rate at which new or extended permissions for quarrying are required."

The consultation letter and draft guidelines are available on the ODPM website.

"Responses to the consultation should be sent, by 4 November 2002, to the contact details below."

"The ODPM says it will take account of the comments received and, if necessary, will amend the consultation guideline figures. Provided that the consultation does not suggest the need for a major change of approach, it is hoped that a revised final set of guidelines will be published early in 2003."