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Mineral Policy Statement

I am announcing today the publication of consultation drafts of four annexes to Minerals Policy Statement 1 (MPS1) ““Planning and Minerals””. These deal with ““Aggregates provision in England””, ““Brick clay provision in England””, ““Natural building and roofing stone in England”” and ““Onshore oil and gas in England””. These set out the planning policies that Government considers should be followed by local authorities, the minerals industry, and other stakeholders to ensure that the supply of these minerals is achieved at acceptable cost to society, including environmental costs, and to help protect the environment, in the interests of sustainable development. They should be read in conjunction with MPS1. That document, which contains the over-arching principles for minerals planning, will be finalised in the light of consultation carried out on it in winter 2004–05 and on these annexes. When finally published, the annex ““Aggregates provision in England”” will, together with the guidelines for aggregates provision issued in June 2003 and parts of MPS1, complete the review and revision of Minerals Planning Guidance Note 6 ““Guidelines for aggregates provision in England””, published in 1994. When finalised, the annex ““Onshore oil and gas in England”” will replace DOE Circular 2/85 ““Planning control over oil and gas operations””. The draft annexes to MPS1 take account of relevant legislative changes since earlier guidance was issued including the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act (2004). They contribute to the Government's sustainable development objectives for planning and the creation of sustainable communities, by helping to secure the necessary supplies of minerals, particularly for construction, while seeking to minimise the effects of mineral working on local communities and the environment. Consultation on the draft annexes to MPS1 will run until 31 October 2005. Copies of the consultation paper have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.