The vital role of mineral extraction in the regeneration of our towns and cities

The importance of minerals in preserving and developing the future of the UK’s built infrastructure is nothing new and is widely recognised across the mineral and waste planning sector.

But while the government has gone some way in conveying the crucial benefits minerals bring to ‘good design’, are its requirements still too ambiguous?

Our director, Chris Heffernan, recently shared his thoughts with ENDS Mineral Planning on the part minerals play in the regeneration of the UK’s towns and cities, and responsibility that lies with the figures of authority to better communicate this with the nation.

If you missed the original article, catch up below.

A closer look at ‘good design’

Firstly, when looking at the concept of ‘good design’, the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) states, ‘design policies should be developed with local communities, so they reflect local aspirations, and are grounded in an understanding and evaluation of each area’s defining characteristics.’ Essentially, with any new architectural venture, the unique qualities should be recognised and fulfilled during the planning and development stages.

Making sure any upcoming development is a ‘good fit’ within the surrounding space is inextricably linked with geology and mineral extraction – after all, these are the enablers to make ‘good design’ possible.

Mineral extraction enabling local distinctiveness

While ‘good design’ is a key architectural principle which many governments, local planning authorities, and construction companies understand and appreciate, what’s essential is that acknowledgement surrounding the winning of minerals also continues to happen in tandem.

Whether stone, slate, sand, or concrete, all building materials have a source. And in order to be able to maintain and reinforce the local distinctiveness of a certain area, minerals need to have a recognised seat at the planning table.

A great example in practice is Naylor Hill Quarry, in Haworth, West Yorkshire – operated for over 70 years by family-run firm, Dennis Gillson and Son Ltd. The 6.1ha site is known for its extraction of Midgley Grit Sandstone and production of high-quality dimension stone products – used for numerous construction projects in the surrounding City of Bradford.

Without a successful planning application, the locally important building stone, locked within the quarry, would never have been released. A material that is a vital construction component for the borough’s repair and maintenance of housing and heritage assets – relating to both existing and new-build houses, and other buildings – alongside supporting local distinctiveness and landscape character.

The NPPF outlines that the purpose of the country’s planning system is to contribute to achieving sustainable development – addressing economic, social, and environmental wellbeing – and enhancing and protecting our natural, built, and historic environment is included in this.

Changing the minerals mindset

Many local planning authorities are aware of the incredible minerals they have in their area, but more certainly needs to be done on a government level to communicate the importance of how and where this material is sourced.

For instance, if a planning application is put forward for a housing development – using local, distinctive stone – this aspect of the proposal is usually welcomed among councils and communities alike. However, if there’s one also submitted for a quarry, this rarely gets the same level of intrinsic understanding despite what the minerals will enable. Often, the reasoning for this is the mindset and cognitive associations that people have with quarries and winning minerals – and this is what needs due attention on a policy-making level.

As a result, the government has further work to do around highlighting the roles of different quarries – such as building stone versus aggregate – and their varying operations and timescales, alongside their potential environmental and amenity impact.

In essence, the country’s officials have a responsibility to reduce any ambiguity that exists in current policy surrounding how good mineral planning is critical for ‘good design’. This will not only shine more of a light on the ‘behind the scenes’ of how and where these valuable minerals are sourced, but it will contribute to reshaping mindsets and behaviours around quarrying.

Planning for the future

Ultimately, by planning for a steady and adequate supply of minerals and recognising the critical role extraction plays in facilitating the architectural development of our country’s future, this can help to ensure that the reinforcement of local distinctiveness is not only a reachable reality in the short term, but for future generations, too. And this, coupled with greater communication from the government, is the key to ensuring the regeneration of our towns and cities is possible for decades and centuries to come.