Sustainability - What's the big idea?

The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004²⁶³ has made sustainable development a key objective of the planning system. At the heart of sustainable development is the simple idea of ensuring a better quality of life for everyone, now and for future generations. A widely used definition has been drawn up by the World Commission on Environment and Development: "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." For this to be achieved planning policy makers, developers, and decision makers at national and local levels must take full account of the long term social, economic and environmental impacts of proposed development.

In May 1999 the Government published "A better quality of life: a strategy for sustainable development for the UK"²⁹⁵. This laid out the Government's aim of bringing the environment, social progress and the economy alongside each other when deciding policy. It formed the context for all of the subsequent strategies, plans and guidance. Chapter 8 of the publication is entitled "Managing the Environment and Resources" and covers the subject of Minerals, a section of which is reproduced in Table 1.

In March 2005 the UK Government launched its new strategy for sustainable development "Securing The Future" ³⁴⁴, in conjunction with a strategic framework "One future - Different paths" ³⁴⁵. The Strategy takes account of developments since the 1999 Strategy, both domestically and internationally; the changed structure of government in the UK with devolution to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland; greater emphasis on delivery at regional level and the new relationship between government and local authorities. It takes account of new policies since 1999, and it highlights the renewed international push for sustainable development from the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg in 2002. The lead Department, Defra, chairs a Programme Board to oversee delivery of the Strategy, but all UK Departments share responsibility for making sustainable development a reality.

Securing the Future does not comment specifically on mineral resources, but the current approach with regard to sustainability and minerals is outlined below.

Location of mineral workings

Resources of some minerals, notably aggregates, are extensive nationally whilst others are more localised. Environmental and developmental constraints mean that not all resources can be worked. It is important to identify where extraction will have least effect on landscape, environment, and quality of life of local communities. Stronger guidance has been issued on the extraction of opencast coal in England and is in preparation in Wales and Scotland.

Especially rigorous examination is given to proposals to extract minerals in National Parks and AONBs.

Making the best use of minerals

The Government aims to maximise efficient use of materials. It will work with the construction industry to develop a strategy for more sustainable construction methods including targets for efficient use of primary aggregates and greater use of recycled and waste materials. It encourages a reduction in the overall quantity of material used and in the generation of waste, and will help to make sure that higher quality materials are not used where lower quality materials are available. It will look towards more use of alternatives to land-won aggregates, such as marine sand and gravel, where these can be obtained in a sustainable way. An aggregates levy has been introduced with the aims of encouraging economy in the use of construction materials, promoting greater use of alternatives such as recycled materials and of offsetting some of the environmental costs of extraction and processing. A new target for use of alternative aggregates in England of 60 million tonnes per year by 2011 was published in June 2003.

Minimising impacts of extraction on the environment and local communities

The Government is improving the regulatory framework which controls the impact of extraction. Consideration of the need for environmental impact assessment (EIA) is now mandatory for all significant proposals for new mineral workings, helping to ensure appropriate location of sites and sound planning conditions for the control of operations. Extended minerals planning guidance, currently being put to public consultation, will advise on improving environmental management.

Rehabilitating sites to beneficial after-use

Each mineral working should be restored to a standard suitable for a specific beneficial after-use. Past reclamation was mainly to agriculture but there is now an increase in nature conservation and amenity uses. Restoration is increasingly contributing to objectives outlined in national and local BAPs.

Keeping planning conditions up to date

The Environment Act 1995 included provisions for staged reviews of old minerals permissions. Many reviews have been undertaken or are in progress. After the initial reviews, all existing permissions will be reviewed at intervals to help ensure that operational and restoration requirements meet the best current environmental standards. The Government will legislate shortly to clarify the application of EIA requirements to these reviews.

A further government publication called "Sustainable development indicators in your pocket" ²⁹⁶ gives a good overview of what sustainable development is all about and is updated annually. It provides an easily accessible set of indicators on economic, social and environmental issues of everyday concern including health, jobs, crime, education and our environment.