Mineral planning

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Minerals can only be extracted where they are found and restoration is an important element of any such development. These factors result in special considerations applying to planning for, and approving development relating to, the extraction of minerals. See Practice Note: Minerals planning.

Definition and types of minerals

Mineral resources are defined in Planning Practice Guidance (PPG) in England as natural concentrations of minerals or, in the case of aggregates, bodies of rock that are, or may become, of potential economic interest due to their inherent properties.

The types of minerals include aggregate minerals, industrial minerals, hydrocarbons and energy minerals. The definition in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) of minerals of national and local importance includes critical and growth minerals but excludes coal.

Minerals policy for England

The main sources of policy and guidance in England are:

  1. •

    the NPPF—this contains separate plan-making and national decision-making policies on minerals, aimed at facilitating a sufficient and timely supply of minerals while restricting peat, coal and onshore oil and gas extraction for environmental reasons

  2. •

    PPG—this provides detailed advice on the application of the policies in the NPPF

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