The Mineral Products Association – the trade body representing Aggregate Industries et al – is not happy:
MPA has published a policy paper calling for reform of the mineral planning system to ensure future supply to support #housing and #infrastructure #construction, #manufacturing and other key strategic sectors of the economy https://t.co/ogcTUGAp0G pic.twitter.com/lMdtymaHZU— Mineral Products Association (@MineralProduct) June 11, 2020
The MPA calls for a number of reforms to the mineral planning system, in particular to put a stop to the increasing number of "superfluous information demands" that result from consultee and objector comments during plan-making and development control:
Minerals developments are complex and generally require Environmental Impact Assessment preceded by screening and scoping. All applications need to be supported by robust and objective evidence. However, planning authorities often seek additional information as a result of consultee and objector comments which are not necessary to determination but can result in significant additional unnecessary expenditure and delay, for example through blanket application of extensive validation checklists. Ensure that information requirements are material, reasonable and genuinely necessary to formulate sound policies and make decisions. This would reduce delay and cost to developers providing superfluous information, and hyper-critical approaches and challenges to planning authority decisions and judgements.
Hyper-critical challenges, significant additional unnecessary expenditure and delay. You almost feel sorry for these multinational cement giants that make up the bulk of the industry. We really should give them an easier ride. Gloss over all those environmental problems.
