We have recently completed another successful Mineral Resource Assessment (MRA) for a client in Sandy, Bedfordshire. You ask “Why might I need an MRA too?”
Policy 209 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) states:- “It is essential that there is a sufficient supply of minerals to provide the infrastructure, buildings, energy and goods that the country needs. Since minerals are a finite natural resource, and can only be worked where they are found, best use needs to be made of them to secure their long-term conservation.”
As such, the framework sets out the requirement of Local Authorities to produce a Local Minerals and Waste Plans, introducing Mineral Safeguarding Areas and “not normally permitting other development proposals in mineral safeguarding areas where they might constrain potential future use for these purposes".
Therefore, planning applications for non-minerals development in a minerals safeguarding area must be accompanied by a Mineral Resource Assessment. An MRA is defined in the Bedfordshire Minerals and Waste Local Plan (MWLP) as:-
“The MRA shall be undertaken by a suitably qualified professional, which establishes through site specific geological survey data, the existence or otherwise of a mineral resource of economic importance”.
Here at Geo-Integrity Limited we have a small, responsive, dedicated, group of professional post-graduate and chartered geologists who are ready to help you with your project. We have undertaken several MRAs across Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Northamptonshire, Leicestershire, Buckinghamshire and Lincolnshire and are happy to help you, if you find such a planning condition on your pre-app or planning permission.
If you need help with a MRA or have any other land related planning condition on your site (contaminated land, drainage, earthworks etc.) drop us a line on this email or phone Murray on 07858 367 125.
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