Planning reform welcome but needs to go deeper

The Mineral Products Association (MPA) has welcomed the Government’s announcement of significant reform to planning for housebuilding, designed to ensure that applications for housing developments that are within policy and local plans set by local authorities should be approved by officers.

This will help unblock one part of the challenge facing the economy, removing one significant barrier to growth. MPA members supply materials for housebuilding including aggregates and cement to make concrete for foundations and structural elements, and asphalt for roads, pavements and cycle paths on developments. Housing is one of the largest market segments, so the ability to maintain a steady and adequate supply of essential minerals is integral to delivering growth.

Planning for minerals represents a specific challenge, and while MPA welcomes the references to strategic planning in the revised National Planning Policy Framework published this week together with the MHCLG Planning Reform Working Paper, to achieve meaningful improvements to delivery it is important any reforms address wider development planning issues – not just those relating to housing. Minerals are a strategically important material that can only be worked where they are found, and the mineral planning system is not delivering, with permitted reserves being sold faster than they are being replaced. Over the last decade, for every 100 tonnes of sand and gravel extracted, permission was granted for only 61 further tonnes. For crushed rock the figure is even lower, at just 33 tonnes.

The supply of minerals by rail and water into rail depots and wharves is also essential. While generally supportive, the MPA are concerned that the increased emphasis on use of brownfield land for housing may affect these critical assets. Existing policy to safeguard these must be implemented and strengthened.

Mark Russell, MPA Executive Director, said “Strategic planning is great for housing but absolutely essential for the minerals needed to build them; it’s positive to see MHCLG moving at pace on planning reform, and as part of this process it is important the reforms address the specific needs of the mineral planning system so that it can continue to deliver a steady and adequate supply of minerals to support government’s ambitions around both housing and wider infrastructure.”