MPA Reacts to Defra's Land Use Framework Government ignores the minerals it needs (again)

Defra has today (18 March) published a new Land Use Framework that takes no account of minerals that are essential for construction and manufacturing.

That’s despite the Government’s pledges to deliver 1.5 million new homes and an ambitious infrastructure pipeline that will rely on millions of tonnes of domestically produced aggregates that come from the ground.

The new Land Use Framework covers housing, agriculture, nature recovery and other land uses, but ignores the supply of minerals from UK quarries that underpin all these and other sectors – from the sand and gravel to make concrete and masonry for new homes to agricultural lime for farmers’ fields that improves crop yields, and quarry restoration providing habitats for wildlife.

The Mineral Products Association (MPA) – representing an industry which directly contributes £6.7 billion GVA to the economy – offered a detailed response to the Defra consultation in 2025 highlighting the lack of reference to minerals and the sector’s contribution to the economy and nature.

Mark Russell, Executive Director at MPA, said: “It is very disappointing that mineral extraction, a small but important land use that's critical to UK construction and manufacturing industries, and is uniquely capable of delivering incredible nature recovery, doesn’t merit a mention.

"While our members’ quarries account for a relatively modest land area it is deeply frustrating that Defra doesn’t seem interested in either their contribution to the rural economy nor their capacity to deliver biodiversity net gain.”