Minerals Research and Current Issues
Minerals Planning Guidance Notes
Mineral Planning Guidance notes (MPG’s) provide Mineral Planning Authorities, and those involved within the minerals industry, Central Government advice and policy on all aspects of minerals planning within the country and as such, form the basis of minerals planning within Berkshire.
MPG’s provide advice on all of the broad aspects of minerals planning within Britain. These documents vary in terms of when they were published or revised, adapting as the industry changes. Broadly speaking the MPG’s aim to provide a co-ordinated approach to the various types of mineral extraction within Britain, the focus now being to ensure that the operational development is carried out in a sustainable manner.
Aggregates Levy
Perhaps the most dramatic issue to affect the minerals industry over the last few years is the introduction of the Aggregates Levy in April 2002. The aggregates levy is a tax imposed on the minerals industry with the purpose being to make more money available to combat the physical impacts of quarrying for minerals/aggregates. The money generated from the tax is put directly into ‘The Aggregate Levy Sustainability Fund’, which operates in three ways:
- By improving existing sites
- Reducing the need for new quarrying, and making new quarrying more sensitive.
The Fund is distributed through the Countryside Agency, English Heritage, English Nature, WRAP, DTI’s, Construction Innovation and Research Programme, DTLR’s Clean Up Programme and Freight Facilities.
Useful Links
Below are a list of useful web sites which may help broaden your understanding of mineral/aggregate extraction at both a County and National level.
Department for Communities and Local Government
Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs
Natural England
English Heritage
www.mineralsuk.com
|
