Draft Minerals Policy Statement 1 (MPS1) “Planning and Minerals” along with accompanying draft good practice guidance, sets out the importance of minerals to the national economy and emphasises the importance of using recycled minerals where possible to help protect the environment.

It is designed to help tie the minerals extraction system in with the new Planning and Compulsory Purchase Order Act passed earlier this year, a spokesperson from ODPM told edie.

“Minerals are important natural assets. However, their extraction can cause damage to the environment. We must make sure that the planning system continues to properly balance the need for minerals with any adverse impacts caused by obtaining them. The draft minerals policy statement and good practice guidance I am launching today for public comment will help local planning authorities and others to do so,” Minister Hill said.

The draft policies are out for public consultation until 24 February 2005 and available from the ODPM website or through the internet link on the right hand side of this page.

By David Hopkins

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