The first part of the consultation that you can comment on is the Draft Replacement Essex Minerals Local Plan (PDF, 3.26MB). The draft plan contains the revised Plan polices, their supporting text and the wider Plan evidence base. Titled Essex Minerals Local Plan, 2025-2040 (Regulation 18 – Issues and Options), it takes into account all comments received to the earlier engagements.
Minerals underpin our entire way of life in being able to create great places for people. Minerals provide the construction materials we need to build:
- new homes
- places of work
- transport infrastructure
- essential services such as health, education and recreational facilities
Minerals and aggregates are essential to many sectors, including:
- energy generation
- agriculture
- manufacturing
We also have very important development and infrastructure projects to deliver in the next decade.
However, minerals are a finite natural resource and can only be extracted from the ground where they are found. It is vital we only extract what is needed and make best use of them to secure their long-term availability and conservation.
What we are consulting on
The Minerals Local Plan 2014 provides planning policies for minerals development in Essex until 2029 and identifies future sites for mineral extraction. The emerging Minerals Local Plan 2025 will supersede the Minerals Local Plan 2014 upon adoption.
We are consulting on the entire Plan and its evidence base, including revised Plan provision figures.
This Plan does not contain information on the newly submitted sites. Read the information about the Assessment of Candidate Sand & Gravel Sites.
Each policy within the emerging Plan and its associated text is supported by a general question, which asks if:
- the policy and supporting text is supported or not
- amendments should be proposed
The consultation is supported by a Consultation Response Guidance Note setting out matters of detail on which you can also comment.
Our evidence base supports the Replacement Essex Minerals Local Plan and Site Assessment work, providing justification for the approaches proposed.
