Minerals Planning (including oil and gas)

As a leading minerals planning consultant in Yorkshire, we work with our clients on a range of consultancy project. The basic principle of Quarry and Mine design should be to maximise yield whilst minimising environmental impacts and achieving a high quality restoration, which if possible should have financial value. Design should always bear environmental mitigation in mind throughout the process.

It is always useful to assess the potential for achieving permission at the very beginning and once an economic mineral deposit is identified, LDP can advise on the prospects for obtaining planning permission.

Where possible, it is preferable to ensure that identified sites are allocated in the Local Development Framework, or at least that locational and other policies will allow the industry to achieve what it needs. Engagement with local authorities in the preparation of minerals development documents and core strategies is always worthwhile.

Some form of environmental impact assessment is always necessary, whether a full EIA or a basic assessment. LDP has extensive experience of creating and managing teams of experienced consultants, handpicked to match both the locality and specialism required. One size does not fit all and we have the ability to tailor make a team to fit a site.

Mineral reviews have to be undertaken every 15 years on existing planning permissions for mines and quarries.Reviews essentially require new planning applications to be prepared and submitted, although there are restrictions on what mineral planning authorities can achieve without having to pay compensation. There are specific processes to be followed and formal environmental impact assessment may be required.

Environmental permitting for some mine and quarry wastes is now a requirement, and the Environment Agency also supervise water abstraction and discharges. Local authorities have retained permit regulation for mobile plant.