Essex Mineral Plan Update

The current Essex Minerals Local Plan was adopted on 8 July 2014 and provides planning policies for minerals development in Essex until 2029.

The minerals team at Tolhurst Fisher has been involved with dealing with a large number of the sites identified in the current mineral plan acting for both landowners and operators.

The latest annual assessment shows that Essex has 32 million tonnes of permitted reserves which means that the projected longevity of those reserves is barely above the 7 year minimum (Essex has 7.18 years’ worth).  When you look at the number of large infrastructure projects happening across the County and on its borders, not to mention the amount of current and future development, it seems that demand is likely to remain steady and that those reserves will come under increasing pressure as the current mineral plan nears its end.

Attention is therefore turning to the forthcoming call for sites for the next mineral plan.  The lead-in times for planning and environmental applications are such that operators are already looking to tie up sites under option.  At the same time, developers are often faced with sterilisation issues when looking at sites with mineral deposits.

Tolhurst Fisher’s mineral team are on hand to help guide you through the option, exercise and implementation phases of mineral developments. Contact Graeme Provan for further information.

Author: Graeme Provan