Minerals

The impact of extracting and transporting Minerals on the region is significant. West Midlands CPRE believes everything should be done to:

• Reuse minerals wherever possible
• Reduce the amount minerals are transported
• Transport as many minerals as possible by rail rather than road
• Protect sensitive landscapes from the impact of mineral extraction
• Ensure the highest possible level of landscaping after mineral extraction.

Mineral extraction impacts on all parts of the region. But sand and gravel is predominantly mined in Staffordshire, which currently supplies 65% of the region’s demand. Work was done as part of Phase 3 of the RSS to identify whether this historic imbalance can and should be addressed.

CPRE is sympathetic to the need to extract minerals closer to where they are used. However, we are concerned that the work has not fully explored

• The depth of alternative supplies
• The environmental and landscape impacts
• The local transport impacts

We, therefore, called for a cautious reduction in Staffordshire’s supply with an early review of the impacts when it is clearer how other authorities might make up the shortfall. With the revocation of RSS, however, we are concerned about how the issue of sustainable Minerals extraction will be resolved.

Response to Interim Statement on Minerals

12.08.10