Have your say
Have your say on where future mineral quarrying could occur, including locations for new quarries and extensions to existing sites. We need to hear from all sections of Nottinghamshire's communities
Consultation on the issues and options for the new Minerals Local Plan started on 27 January and will run until 30 March 2012.
If you wish to download any of the consultation documents please see the column to the right of the screen. You can then also view and respond to the main consultation document online.
Every year we all use the equivalent of 10 tonnes of mineral to maintain our way of life from building homes, offices and roads, to providing electricity and heat. Some minerals are also used in more surprising products such as cosmetics and food. But have you ever stopped to think where it all comes from?
Nottinghamshire is rich in minerals and is an important producer of sand, gravel, coal and gypsum both regionally and nationally. Over the next 15-20 years we will need to produce around 110 million tonnes of minerals to meet demand.
That’s why we need to update the Nottinghamshire Minerals Local Plan. The new Plan will look ahead to 2030 and will set out the policies against which proposals for minerals development will be assessed.
This could affect you and your community so it’s important that you get involved. This is the first stage of the process where we consider all of the issues and options surrounding mineral extraction and we need you to tell us what is important to you. It is vital that we understand all the issues to make sure we end up with a plan that’s right for Nottinghamshire.
Please read and share the information on these pages with friends, family and neighbours and fill out the online summary questionnaire with your feedback.
What minerals are found in Nottinghamshire?
Mineral production is a vital local industry and we are an important producer of sand and gravel, coal and gypsum both regionally and nationally. Brick clay, limestone, building stone and oil are also worked. The evidence of previous quarrying and mining is all around us and has created local landmarks such as Idle Valley Nature Reserve and Holme Pierrepont Country Park and National Water Sports Centre.
Why do we need a plan?
Minerals can only be worked where they naturally occur so we need to make sure they are quarried in an economical way that balances the interests of the environment and local communities. The Plan will look ahead to 2030 and will set out the amount of minerals we need and areas in the county where they could be worked. For some minerals the Plan may identify actual sites for quarrying.
Why should you care?
We all use minerals everyday without even thinking about it, but the potential environmental impacts of quarrying can be significant, as can the benefits it brings. We therefore need to consider all of the issues and options surrounding mineral extraction and how they could affect you and your community.
Where could future mineral quarrying occur?
The map below shows possible areas for mineral extraction and the issues facing each area.
Key to map
 | Locations for possible new quarries: 1. Steetley - Limestone |
 | Possible extensions to existing sites |
 | Inactive sites |
 | Main sand and gravel extraction areas |
 | Sandstone extraction areas |
 | Surface coal extraction area |
 | River Trent and River Idle |
What are the issues and options surrounding mineral quarrying?
Extracting minerals
The Plan will need to ensure that there is a sufficient supply of minerals to meet local and national needs. The key issues to consider are:
- Identifying enough minerals to meet demand
- Locating mineral development near customers to minimise transport
- Using environmentally friendly forms of transport
- Recycling existing materials to reduce the need for new minerals.
Social and environmental issues
The social and environmental impacts of mineral extraction are wide ranging and need to be carefully considered. The key issues to consider are:
- Improving and increasing wildlife and habitat when quarrying is completed
- Protecting and enhancing the look of the landscape
- Protecting cultural heritage and archaeological finds
- Minimising the contribution mineral development makes to climate change
- Reducing flood risk
- Protecting the best and highest quality agricultural land.
Local issues
The plan will need to ensure that mineral sites are worked and restored in a way which minimises the impact on the environment and local communities.
The key issues to consider are:
- Ensuring that harmful impacts of mineral working on local communities are minimised
- Maintaining and improving public access to the countryside
- Returning land to the way it was before or a suitable alternative
Protecting minerals
The plan will need to identify and protect mineral resources from other development which would prevent the mineral ever being used.
Have your say
We want you to tell us which of these issues are most important to you. This will help us ensure that the priorities of the plan reflect the priorities of Nottinghamshire’s communities. You can do this by:
- Completing the online summary questionnaire
- Responding to the main consultation document online
- Printing out, filling in and returning the summary questionnaire [PDF 579KB] by post.
Please let us have your response by 30 March 2012.
Minerals Local Plan consultation displays
As part of the consultation we will be taking a display to libraries around the county. Due to space restrictions the amount of information available at each library will vary, however summary leaflets will be available and a reference copy of the main consultation document can be viewed. Officers will be available to answer your questions at the times stated below.
| Location | Exhibition dates | Officer attendance |
|---|---|---|
| Arnold Library | 6 - 18 February | Thurs 9 February 11.30am – 1.30pm |
| Bingham Library | 6 – 18 February | Tues 14 February 11.30am – 1.30pm |
| Bircotes Library | 19 – 31 March | Tues 20 March 11.30am – 1.30pm |
| Creswell Library | 12 - 24 March | Thurs 15 March 11.30am – 1.30pm |
| Eastwood Library | 5 – 17 March | Tues 6 March 11.00am – 1.00pm |
| East Leake Library | 20 February - 3 March | Mon 27 February 11.30am -1.30pm |
| Edwinstowe Library | 20 February – 3 March | Tues 21 February 11.15am -1.15pm |
| Mansfield Library | 13 – 25 February | Thurs 16 February 11.30am – 1.30pm |
| Newark Library | 13 – 25 February | Thurs 23 February 11.30am – 1.30pm |
| Ollerton Library | 5 – 17 March | Fri 9 March 11.00am – 1.00pm |
| Retford Library | 19 - 31 March | Thurs 22 March 11.30am -1.30pm |
| Worksop Library | 27 February – 10 March | Tues 28 February 11.30am – 1.30pm |
For further information on this consultation exercise and to make other comments on the issues raised:
Email: development.planning@nottscc.gov.uk
Tel: 08449 80 80 80
Write to: Planning Policy Team
County Hall
West Bridgford
Nottingham
NG2 7QP
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