The plan is used to protect sand and gravel resources from non-minerals development, making them inaccessible for extraction or introducing development which is not compatible with mineral extraction nearby.
The Secretary of State issued a direction to save the Minerals Local Plan policies. This means they remain part of the decision making process until the plan is reviewed.
The purpose of the document is to ensure that district and borough councils consult us before determining applications for development in mineral consultation areas.
Adopted mineral consultation areas are identified on county, district and borough proposals maps in their local plans.