…research, published in Nature Communications, found that under a high emissions scenario (RCP 8.5) rainfall events in the UK exceeding 20mm/hr could be four times as frequent by 2080 compared to the 1980s.
The fact that [Houndaller Plantation] pond can sustain long-term and regular abstraction… means that it would be similarly effective as a soakaway.
There remains, therefore, no cogent evidence – measurements or otherwise – of the soakaway capacity at Houndaller Plantation Pond. It is wrong to assume that Houndaller Pond would be “similarly effective as a soakaway”, and therefore it does not necessarily ‘follow’ that Houndaller Pond could cope with exceedance flows from a storm event.
... it appears that the applicant’s revised plans have not allowed sufficient storage space within the extraction area for the design storm event:The applicant claims “the ASV [Attenuation Storage Volume] requirement equates to 3,350 m3 during the design event (1 in 100-yr + 45% allowance for storm intensity due to climate change)” and that “the revised surface water management plan for Houndaller (by incorporating 3,416.60 m3 within the former extraction area) will provide sufficient storage space for the design event.”The applicant claims runoff rates and attenuation requirements were computed using “the assumption that 12.75 hectares [127,500m2] of the catchment area would possess runoff characteristics analogous to that of an impermeable paved surface.” The applicant has not provided any output from those computations to substantiate the conclusions.An ASV of 3,350m3 divided by the impermeable catchment area of 127,500m2, implies the applicant has modelled for a rainfall event of 0.0263m or 26.3mm.This would seem to be an inadequate figure, given the historic records for nearby areas:“June 1946 In Cullompton, 2.35 in [60 mm] of rain fell in 45 minutes and ... in the lower part of the town flooding was 3 ft deep in houses.”“22 October 1960 Flooding occurred in Crediton, following a total of 64 mm of rain on 20 and 21 October (recorded in Exeter)”“21 November 2012 Between 20mm to 39mm (0.8in to 1.5in) fell in 12 hours overnight on already saturated ground.”The University of Exeter Weather Observation Records has the Highest Daily Rainfall at 47.20 mm on 4 September 2024.The UK’s wettest day, in records back to 1891, was 3 October 2020. The average rainfall across the entire UK was calculated at 31.7mm. The Met Office says record-breaking rainfall like that seen on 3 October 2020 could be 10 times more likely by 2100.
Using the FEH22 rainfall depth-duration-frequency model for that area, 26.3mm is less than a 1-hour, 30-year event; by contrast, a 12-hour, 100-year event would exceed 90mm.
A 90mm rainfall event, with the same impermeable catchment area of 127,500m2, would require a much larger storage capacity of 11,475m3...
Reason: To safeguard the natural environment and amenity of the local area and to ensure the timely restoration of the site in accordance with Policies SSI (Presumption in favour of sustainable development), RS1 (Restoration, Aftercare and Afteruse of Minerals Development) and DM4 (Protection and Enhancement of Landscape Character and the Countryside) of the Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole Minerals Strategy.
5.4 … given that permission WD/D/20/000313 lapsed on 31 March 2023, and that application WD/D/19/000451 was refused, for the operator to fulfil its obligation in restoring these areas, they are now proposing to vary the requirements of condition 3 (Duration of the development permitted) of Planning Permission WD/D/20/000313, to extend the end date to 31 December 2024, in order to have further time in which to restore the site.
Whilst our clear preference would be for the timely completion of restoration in line with the planning consent, we do not feel it appropriate to object to the requested extension of time. We recommend that the Council carefully examine the reasons for a time extension and reach an opinion as to the reasonableness of this in relation to the circumstances.
We are therefore seeking to vary Condition 1 of the Permission to extend the end date for completing restoration of the site to the 31 December 2025.Please be assured that the company remain committed to the completion of the restoration of this site and the delay that has caused this application has been due to matters entirely outside of our control.
...everything changed and it was clear the spring had been contaminated because the water was coming out brown and dirty...[which] coincided with the operators of the quarry near our home being served with statutory notices for quarrying outside their permitted area
Ali says part of the planning agreement carried conditions that her private water supply would be protected - but already, she says, it has been affected.She said: "It's basically an ancient spring out of the ground, where you won't get any planning that says where it comes from, because nobody knows - but it's been here for as long as this building has been up, for hundreds of years."The water goes naturally into a tank that's in the ground. This farm used to be a dairy farm, so it supplied this whole place with water. And it's never been a drama. I only ran out of water once years ago when we had a big drought. It all works fine, it's dead old-fashioned but I've never wanted to or had to change it."So while this proposal was going on, I had contacted MPs. I contacted Planning and everyone has ignored me, nobody's done anything. On the back of that, both East Renfrewshire Council and East Ayrshire Council are going to get 7p a ton from the aggregate that's taken out of this quarry, so there's money involved for the councils too."She added: "They've now started the digging. I wasn't informed about it at all."Part of the concessions that were approved in the planning stage was that the water at this farm [West Carswell Farm] had to be sorted, and that West Carswell was either to be connected to the mains or some other solution. But nothing's happened."Ali said plumbing experts believe disturbance to the ground from the launch of the quarry works may have put “muck” in the water with the silt clogging old pipes. She added: "There's water in the tank... but there's no water getting to my property."
At Straitgate, water supplies for 100 people, 3 farms and Grade I Cadhay would be in the hands of one digger driver. What could possibly go wrong? And - with an extensive catalogue of ignored warnings from local residents going back years - how many nationals would cover the story if it did?
Renfrewshire woman devastated as quarry works begin near dream countryside home.https://t.co/zWOHLHnXz1
— Glasgow Live (@Glasgow_Live) December 3, 2024
Restoration work at an Isle of Wight quarry with tens of thousands of tonnes of fill material will continue for two more years following a council decision.
The submitted information states that the downturn in the economy caused by rising interest rates and the cost of living over 2022/23 has caused the slowing rate of restoration for the quarry. Therefore, the restoration scheme cannot be completed by the 2024 deadline.
a line drawn within or around a prison that a prisoner passes at the risk of being shot
a line that does not move
The Environment Agency has today, 28 November 2024, issued a Closure Notice to Walleys Quarry Ltd (WQL).
— Env Agency Midlands (@EnvAgencyMids) November 28, 2024
For full details of what this means visit: https://t.co/zNrm5r8P0I
Walleys Quarry landfill that is ran by @RedIndustries2 have today been issued with a closure notice!!! It's done!!!Thank you to to @AJogee for you and all your teams hard work. We've spent years breathing this poison, it's time we got a breath of fresh air #StopTheStink pic.twitter.com/r62RSwbPuO
— Stop The Stink (@StinkStopthe) November 28, 2024
Today is a good day for the people of Newcastle-under-Lyme.
— Adam Jogee MP (@AJogee) November 28, 2024
Finally - after everything - a closure notice has today been issued to Walleys Quarry Ltd. #LoveNuL 🇬🇧🌹 pic.twitter.com/StH1f71hT3
23. ...we are not persuaded that piston flow is the dominant flow mechanism in the BSPB or at the site... 27. ...we prefer the appellant’s model of rapid infiltration...
There were a number of small changes [in this edition] but the biggest new addition covers flow through the vadose [unsaturated] zone. This came about when I failed to explain this to intelligent people who had no knowledge of geology who decided that they would rather accept a simple picture of rapid recharge flow with the unrealistically high value for the hydraulic conductivity in the vadose zone rather than the complex system that nature has provided for us. You will have to read it to see what I mean; it is now at the end of Chapter 3.
Planning documents often contain vast amounts of valuable information, but accessing and using this data can be challenging. Artificial intelligence (AI) offers a potentially promising solution by efficiently processing and interrogating large volumes of data to extract key information and insights.
EIW, LM and TB had recently attended a POS [Planning Officers Society] meeting. Various matters had been discussed including safeguarding, the Finch case (and adopting a cautious approach) and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the planning process, particularly in the analysis of consultation responses.
Variation of conditions 2, 4, 6, 7, 12, 19, 22 and 25 of ROMP permission DCC/3655/2014... to vary the phasing; landform; drainage; and restoration of the site.
We are concerned that the ES Chapter 9 Hydrological & Hydrogeological Impact Assessment Version 2 May 2024 for the above application is incorrect, more specifically that the calculated soakaway rate at Houndaller Plantation Pond of 5,000 m3/d is impossibly large.
5.8.8.7 ...Houndaller Plantation Pond has sufficient soakaway capacity for the design storm.
Following discussions at the site meeting held on 4th July 2024, an updated surface water management scheme has been prepared where, following mineral extraction operations, all surface water will be managed in the former extraction area, with Houndaller Pond only acting as an exceedance route.
AIUK abstracts water from the groundwater-fed Houndaller Pond in accordance with Abstraction Licence No. SW/045/0002/055.The quarry operator has confirmed that they make full use of this licence. The rate of abstraction is set at 14 l/s, equating to 50 m3/hr. The annual rate of abstraction comes to 180,000 m3/year.This abstraction activity is a sustained process, occurring day after day, and the average groundwater level contours (Figure 5 in BCL’s report) are only c.1 m below the maximum levels (Figure 6), showing that abstraction (drawdown) impacts on water level in the pond are relatively limited.The fact that the pond can sustain long-term and regular abstraction at 14 l/s means that it would be similarly effective as a soakaway. It follows that occasional input to Houndaller Pond as a result of storm runoff would not be expected to raise the long-term water level in the pond.
The fact that the pond can sustain long-term and regular abstraction… means that it would be similarly effective as a soakaway.
* "Similarly Effective as a Soakaway":While the pond can sustain the current abstraction rate, it's not necessarily directly comparable to a soakaway. A soakaway is designed to absorb and disperse water into the surrounding soil, while a pond primarily stores water.
If a groundwater-fed pond can sustain long-term, regular abstraction, it could theoretically serve some functions similar to a soakaway, but there are important differences in design, function, and environmental impact to consider.* Soakaway: A soakaway is designed specifically to manage surface runoff, allowing water to percolate directly into the ground and recharge the groundwater at a controlled rate. It's typically used in areas where rainwater needs to be quickly drained to avoid surface flooding.* Pond: A groundwater-fed pond typically has a different purpose, such as wildlife habitat, aesthetics, or water storage. While it may lose some water through infiltration, its primary function isn’t to allow for rapid or direct infiltration into the subsurface layers like a soakaway…. etc etc
Not true. No. No. No.
2. It has not been demonstrated that the development would not attract wildlife to the area which could result in a health and safety hazard to users of Exeter Airport contrary to Policy TC12 (Aerodrome Safeguarded Areas and Public Safety Zones) of the East Devon Local Plan, 2015 to 2031
The development is situated within an area of higher ground in the Type A airspace. The creation of new permanent water bodies risks the increase of bird activities within the airspace.
The application site is also adjacent to an approved quarry application site (Figure 8). Exeter Airport concluded that the proposed quarry does not appear to conflict with safeguarding criteria subject to a number of conditions (refer to Figure 9). This is despite the creation of ‘ephemeral waterbodies and species-rich wet grassland to be encouraged in low-lying infiltration areas’ (refer to Figure 10), which are more likely to attract conflict species, such as gulls, geese and other waterfowl than the proposed ponds at the application site.
The development is located within the aerodrome safeguarding area in a position on high ground located within the type A airspace. Due to the development's location and AMSL height any potential increase in bird activities cannot be supported and must be mitigated by way of a wildlife management plan.Exeter Airport has received and reviewed the provided assessment of Birdstrike. While this is accepted as an assessment of potential risk it is not accepted as a wildlife management plan and as such maintains its holding objection till a wildlife management plan is submitted to negate the potential risk of increased bird activities in the airspace.This is supported as stated in the provided report by ASAN3 as a building development that has manmade landscaping features that have the potential to attract flocks of birds and/or large birds.The report makes note of DCC/3944/2017 planning application for Straitgate Quarry as a reference in the area. Straitgate Quarry has a robust provided wildlife habitat management plan (WHMP) including planning conditions of routine site visits, onsite pumping equipment and no new permanent bodies of water to be created therefore can not be used as evidential reasons for the creation of new permanent water bodies within the area. Also, of note straitgate Quarry is situated at lower ground level to proposed development.While as report has stated the development is low risk in creating a risk of birdstrikes action must still be taken to negate all risk to aircraft within the area due to the potentially fatal consequences. The aerodrome is happy to provide reference and contacts to assist in the creation of the required Wildlife Management Plan.
25. No water body shall be created within the site other than the approved weigh bridge lagoon.
To prevent the site becoming attractive to flocks of birds that may lead to an aviation hazard in the interests of public safety and in accordance with Policy M20 (Sustainable Design) of the Devon Minerals Plan.
#Kenya: Swiss-owned cement company @Holcim & US-owned security company @G4S, working alongside a special police unit, have been accused of torture, rape, and assault against local villagers in Denyenye, Kwale county.
— Coalition for Human Rights in Development 🌎 (@RightsinDevt) November 15, 2024
In this powerful and hard-hitting investigation, journalists… pic.twitter.com/ezAm939nJh
These serial reports of abuses on and around Bamburi Farm have prompted calls for redress by the KMA, the Kenyan Human Rights Commission, Berlin-based Transparency International, and the international Coalition for Human Rights in Development.These groups are preparing a formal complaint about the multinationals Holcim (Bamburi) and G4S (Allied Universal) and their collusion in these brutal attacks to the OECD in Paris.“Multinational companies such as Holcim believe they are above the law and they can commit violations without facing any repercussion,” says Faith Kivuti, Africa regional facilitator of the Community Resource Exchange. “But it’s time to hold them accountable. The OECD complaint against Holcim and G4S is an important step in this direction.”
Last year, a @Holcim employee started asking questions about the potential mistreatment of wastewater at the company’s Louisiana facility. Then they fired him. @IlluminatorLA https://t.co/raTuaSdESa
— Concrete Change (@Concrete_Change) October 21, 2024
A technical advisory group of mineral planning authorities and other relevant organisations who work together to produce data on aggregate demand and supply in their area and to provide advice to mineral planning authorities and to the National Aggregate Co-ordination Group.
There are a total of 9 AWPs in England covering London; the South East; the South West; the East of England; the West Midlands; the East Midlands; the North West; Yorkshire and Humber; and the North East.
10. Straitgate appeal decision – update by EHEH gave a brief update on the Straitgate appeal decisions, both of which had been allowed. This followed a refusal, against officer recommendation, of an application for the extraction of 1.5mt of sand and gravel at Straitgate. 7 reasons for refusal were cited and all were defended by DCC at inquiry. However, the inspector found that the application was in accordance with mineral planning policy and there were no unacceptable adverse impacts. The decision notice has 53 conditions. DCC estimates that the Straitgate operations will contribute approximately 2 years’ worth of sand and gravel supply to Devon’s landbank. JW& will circulate a copy of the appeal decision for those interested.
The MPA has noticed that over the last 12 to 18 months, a number of sites have been issued with decisions by planning committees which are counter to officer recommendations. Similarly, a number of allocated sites have been refused permission. Those refusals that go to appeal tend to get costs awarded against them. These approaches reflect a worrying trend and cast doubt on the value of the local plan process by demonstrating support for localism at the expense of a regional overview.
The Bow Farm Appeal in Gloucestershire had been allowed; as a result of this, it seems likely going forwards that for climate change to carry weight in the determination of a planning application, it will need to be included in a development plan policy. Any such policy is likely to include a requirement for provision of a carbon assessment.
Please provide copies of all correspondence between Devon County Council and aggregate companies between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2021 concerning the Devon sand and gravel landbank, and concerning Devon reserves of sand and gravel...
9. FOI Update EH gave a short presentation on a FOI matter which had affected DCC earlier this year. A summary will be circulated separately from the minutes. However, the matter generated concerns amongst members who thought that there could be significant ramifications from it as operators need to be confident that data which they supply to authorities can remain confidential. PH referred to the standard statistical rule that data should be combined with a minimum of three operators. However, he noted that the BAA encourages its SME members to be as open as possible and he queried whether major problems would result from publication of operator data. SD suggested that the BAA and MPA might wish to make clear that data supplied to authorities is unlikely to remain confidential. PA commented that he was more concerned about the potential for financial viability assessments (fva) to be made public as a result of FOI requests as it was essential that these viability assessments should be protected by confidentiality rules. This had actually happened in one case following an FOI in connection with an LAA which led to forced disclosure of an fva despite assurances from the mineral planning authority that the fva would remain confidential. KP added that GCC usually managed to resist FOI requests, often by pointing towards data that is already in the public domain. However, this is something which industry may want to consider further. CD acknowledged industry concerns on this matter but pointed out that survey returns are critical to the functioning of MASS, especially at the moment in the absence of AMRI. She hoped, therefore, that operators would continue to submit returns as required. CD also noted that a similar situation to that experienced in Devon had last occurred in Staffordshire in 2012, hopefully indicating that it is a rare occurrence. MR and SD agreed that this was something that industry should be aware of and consider addressing at corporate level.
This decision should mean that any new fossil fuel projects in the UK must consider all emissions, including those from burning the fuel, not just from getting it out of the ground. This could change how future oil and gas projects are approved across the UK.
In terms of the Finch case, DP advised that the MPA’s stance is that this should not have the same application to minerals as they are distinguishable from fossil fuels on the basis that they will not automatically generate a release of CO2 when they are used. Nonetheless, he acknowledged that some authorities are taking a very cautious approach and requiring consideration of downstream effects. DP suggested that the best approach is to acknowledge the Finch case in EIAs but not to overplay it as it does not necessarily apply to every development. A climate change assessment would usually be included in most applications anyway. Government guidance on the Finch case is expected in the new year. EIW had recently attended a useful webinar on Finch, link available here. CH had had some initial discussions with Devon CC regarding Finch and the Council acknowledged it may not be possible to assess scope 3 emissions when aggregate was being produced for multiple sources. The suggested approach was to explain that the Finch case had been acknowledged and considered.
EI-W explained that it would be useful for attendees of other groups, such as the Planning Officers Society (POS), to share updates with the AWP. EI-W is part of a POS working group looking at the issue of recruitment and retention of staff within the public sector minerals planning arena. The working group is gathering evidence and is looking at potential solutions to this issue. This concern was echoed by other members; indeed, it had been raised as a matter for discussion at a recent BAA meeting. PH referred to a course on mineral planning for mineral planners run by IQ. Details of this course will be circulated to members. AG commented that whilst recruitment was a big issue, SCC had benefitted from running its own graduate scheme and had recruited Ellie Maxwell this way. EH added that at DCC, 5 members of staff were at different stages of an apprenticeship which seemed to be working well.
In 2022, sales of land won sand and gravel in the region totalled 2.75mt, a slight decrease on 2021’s sales figure of 2.92mt and dropping below both the 10 year sales’ average of 3.03mt and the 3 year sales’ average (2.80mt). Dorset continued to be the main production area with a sales figure of 1.21mt, accounting for just over 44% of the region’s sales. Sales in both Devon and Wiltshire were down compared with 2021 with Wiltshire experiencing quite a significant drop down from 0.69mt in 2021 to 0.46mt in 2022. Gloucestershire’s sales figure rose to 0.56mt from a low of 0.45mt in 2021 (which represented the second lowest level of sales in the past 10 years and less than half the decade’s highest level of sales which was achieved in 2019 (0.91mt)).
Permitted reserves in the South West at the end of 2022 were 18.79mt representing quite a drop from the 2021 figure of 21.18mt and amounting to another all-time low across the region. When based on the average of 10 years’ sales, this reserves’ figure generates a landbank of just 6.2 years which is less than the NPPF’s minimum requirement of at least 7 years for sand and gravel and, as was the case last year when the landbank was 6.9 years, continues to be a cause for concern. Once again, of the sand and gravel producing authorities within the region, Dorset maintained the highest level of reserves at 10.4mt (though down from 2021’s 11.2mt) whilst Wiltshire holds the lowest with just 1.43mt representing a landbank of just 2.7 years based on the 10 year sales’ average.
NEW! MPA MINERAL PRODUCTS MARKETS FORECAST - 2024-26, GB Sales volumes of mineral products in Great Britain have fallen more sharply than expected in the first half of 2024, leading to significant forecast downgrades for the year. With no recovery over the summer, ready-mixed concrete is now expected to decline by 12% compared to 2023, sand and gravel by 8%, and mortar by 13%. These adjustments reflect a postponement of the expected market recovery, now shifted from late 2024 to 2025. Smaller revisions have been made for crushed rock and asphalt, which are projected to drop by 3% this year. A return to growth across all mineral product markets is expected to begin in 2025, but from a lower base than originally predicted. This is likely to be driven by a gradual rebound in the housing market, and demand from major infrastructure projects which is expected to continue supporting the market in 2025 and 2026. DP added that sand and gravel sales endured a steep 13.8% decline in 2024H1 compared to the same period in 2023, while sales of crushed rock dropped by 2.3%. The MPA had also recently produced its annual survey report and this revealed that replenishment rates were less than 50% which was a particular issue for sand and gravel. Multiple reasons had been suggested for this – it wasn’t solely the fault of the planning system as most applications were ultimately granted – including a lack of applications being submitted.
According to online planning documents from September this year, there has been a “protracted period of discussions with a number of parties” connected to Tomfyne and Cowdenhill which have only recently been concluded and which led to the long delay in bringing matters to a close on the proposed application all those years before.
Apologies for the delay but no new updates this month.
There is nothing new to report this month but we continue to work on the preparation of the remaining schemes required by condition.
The landscape for cement procurement and development is facing tectonic shifts, with unprecedented public funding and demand for cleaner construction materials across the world. This rapid shift toward low-carbon materials will drive the next 40 years of cement production. Companies who fail to scale up low-carbon cement alternatives risk losing market share, creating a risk for investors, our health, and our climate.
The DCC seem to have entered wholeheartedly into the spirit of the NPPF and determined that “7 phases” has the same meaning as “3 phases”, that working from West to East is exactly the same as working from North to South, that “inert soils” are exactly the same as “engineering fill” also known as quarrying, mining, demolition and construction waste, that a gradient of “1 in 5” is exactly the same as a gradient of “1 in 10”, etc, etc.
the decision to grant approval to carry out further development not authorised in the original permission by way of discharge of condition was ultra vires;
the Council erred in law by asking whether submitted details were ‘acceptable’ rather than considering whether the submitted details met the requirements of the conditions;
4.4 In the light of this claim for judicial review, the following steps have been implemented within the Council’s Planning team:• training has been provided to the County Council’s planning officers on procedural requirements for the discharging of planning conditions; and• the relevant officer’s report template has been amended to require clearer consideration of the requirements of the EIA Regulations and the need to consider whether the submitted details meet the requirements of the condition.
There is nothing new to report this month but we continue to work on the preparation of the remaining schemes required by condition.
We have taken a number of proactive measures to help alleviate the problem.
'Dust from lorries has damaged my eyesight' https://t.co/PAZtTjEhbN
— BBC East (@BBCLookEast) September 23, 2024
An employee who has quit his job has blamed health problems caused by an ongoing issue of lorries kicking up dust and debris.Dave Brown, who was described as "part of the furniture" at New Again Auto Reconditioning in Chelmsford, said his eyesight was "gradually going".Gary Wray, owner of the car repair firm in New Street, uploaded a YouTube video to his website, Dusty Chelmsford, pinning the blame on Aggregate Industries, whose lorries are "regularly overloaded with no covers".The construction supplies company, which pledged to address the problem last year, said: "[We have] invested in extensive improvements at our Chelmsford site."It added that Chelmsford City Council’s environmental health team had visited the site and welcomed the changes that had been made. But it acknowledged there was "still room for improvement".Dave Brown said he had been suffering eye irritation caused by the dust.
The dust from the Aggregate Industries depot is so thick, it can be seen on this satellite image, discolouring trees and bushes, south and west of the depot. The smudge across the map extends to reach two schools in the area, and that is just the pollution that can be seen from space!
If you have inside information about Aggregate Industries, Holcim Group, or any other information as to why government agencies seem so reluctant to do their jobs, you can contact us in complete confidence.
One year later, and still no significant improvement. Local businesses continue to suffer due to @Aggregateuk It’s frustrating to see the same issues persist into 2024. #SupportLocal #BusinessChallenges #TimeForChange pic.twitter.com/YjDVs4XS7Y
— Dusty Chelmsford (@DustyChelmsford) September 9, 2024
In January, bridleway 37 on Venn Ottery Hill had a collapse in the central section of the route caused by water run-off from the old quarry site. The resulting huge void has necessitated closure as the route is now not in a safe condition. The closure order means that the bridleway cannot be used until at least the end of August.
We shall be putting back a lot more than we're taking away.
For the @gdnlongread, I wrote about the French cement giant Lafarge, which decided, back in 2013-14, that it was a good idea to pay ISIS millions of dollars so that it could keep making and selling cement in Syria.
— Samanth Subramanian (@samanth_s) September 17, 2024
You read that right.
A short 🧵:https://t.co/HEOiyLmBQu
If an ongoing criminal case in France convicts Lafarge of crimes against humanity, it would be huge: the first time a firm anywhere has been found guilty on this front.
— Samanth Subramanian (@samanth_s) September 17, 2024
The factory is no more; it was bombed by Turkey earlier this year. [6] pic.twitter.com/PInBiOWvP9
... for more than a decade the rate of consumption – mainly for construction – has not been matched by the rate of approval for new planning consents for quarrying, due to a ‘broken’ mineral planning system that often allows local interests to be prioritised above national need.Between 2014 and 2023, for every 100 tonnes of sand and gravel used in Great Britain, an average of 61 tonnes of new permissions have been granted.
Our survey shows the availability of essential minerals is fast approaching a cliff-edge.
RESERVE JUDGEMENT: The Govt needs to take urgent action to address diminishing permitted reserves of domestically-sourced minerals that are essential for #housing and #infrastructure - new report.
— Mineral Products Association (@MineralProduct) September 11, 2024
Read the full story: https://t.co/ji8p2Cn4Ph@RTPIPlanners #essentialmaterials pic.twitter.com/PaT8fp5F1X
A steady and adequate supply of aggregates needs to be planned, monitored and managed, all of which require support and strong direction from central Government... Demand for land-won sand and gravel continues to outstrip the amount of new reserves being permitted, with the 10-year average replenishment rate decreasing to 53%.
The Mineral Products Association is calling on Government to increase its efforts to overcome inertia in the planning system, in order to ensure a steady and adequate supply of aggregates which are essential to the construction industry and the economy. Permitted reserves of sand and gravel are in serious decline and planning authorities are putting too much effort into reducing potential future supply rather than getting on with the business of adopting robust mineral plans. Average replenishment rates of aggregate reserves (i.e. the rates at which production is being replaced with new permissions) are continuing to decline. Only 43% of sand and gravel reserves have been replenished in the last 10 years to 2012...
Long term trends in replenishment rates show that long term average sand and gravel replenishment rates have not been at parity for at least 10 years… In 2010 crushed rock long term replenishment stood at 67% over 10 years, and for sand and gravel, 49%.
Holcim's $30 billion New York spinoff of its North American business has come under fire from an environmental group that said the major cement maker was doing too little to tackle climate change. https://t.co/pKUjZEt7hg https://t.co/pKUjZEt7hg
— Reuters Science News (@ReutersScience) September 19, 2024
The Swiss-based company has failed to cut direct emissions from its plants or spend enough to reduce materials or energy waste, said Industrious Labs, a U.S.-based environmental nonprofit.Industrious Labs, which is part of a campaign called Concrete Change to reduce the sector's environmental impact, gave Holcim a grade of "D" - the second-lowest rating - for its sustainability performance.It said the spinoff, due to take place in the first half of 2025, hides mounting costs and a failure to adapt to growing demand for cleaner cement."Markets are brutal and don't reward incumbents which are slow to respond to customer demand," Nachy Kanfer, a partner at Industrious Labs, told Reuters. "We see multiple net zero cement projects under way, and Holcim is being left behind."
Does @Holcim’s $30 billion North American spin-off account for its hidden liabilities?
— Concrete Change (@Concrete_Change) September 19, 2024
Holcim’s North American facilities have mounting pollution problems that the company is hoping to offload to investors. Don’t be left holding the bag! Learn more: https://t.co/J9ZPouiKop pic.twitter.com/wlRyS2oBbh