Minerals Planning Policy for Wales

The publication Minerals Planning Policy Wales (MPPW) was issued in 2000. It sets out the land-use planning policy guidance of the Welsh Assembly Government for mineral extraction and related development in Wales. It covers all minerals in, on or under land, extracted by either underground or surface working, but does not include guidance for marine aggregates.

The document should be taken into account by Welsh minerals planning authorities (counties, county boroughs and national parks). It may be material to decisions on planning applications including ‘called-in’ applications and those which go to appeal.

A series of Minerals Technical Advice Notes (Wales) are also being developed.

Minerals Planning Policy Wales makes clear that the essential role of minerals planning is to ensure a balance between prudent use of finite resources and protection of existing amenity and the environment. In particular, it says that any effects on local communities must be minimised and that where a demonstrably harmful effect cannot be overcome by planning conditions or agreements, planning permission should not be granted. Mineral working, it observes, is different from other forms of development since it can only take place where there are exploitable deposits; it is never permanent (though it may be long-term); some adverse effects, properly mitigated, may have to be tolerated; and after-use reclamation to a high standard is always necessary.

The overriding objective, says MPPW, is to provide a sustainable pattern of mineral extraction by adhering to five key principles. These are: to provide mineral resources to meet society’s needs and to safeguard resources for the future; to protect heritage areas; to limit environmental impact; to achieve high standards of land restoration and beneficial after-use; and to encourage efficient use of minerals, including the re-use and recycling of suitable materials.

The document examines the implications for policy of these principles and concludes with a look at policies for individual minerals divided into energy and non-energy categories.

To view the document click here (PDF 242 Kb).