Mineral Products Association Dimension Stone An essential UK industry Purposes Introduction and summary The Mineral Products Association (MPA) is the trade association for THIS STATEMENT HAS BEEN the aggregates, asphalt, cement, concrete, dimension stone, lime, PRODUCED BY MPA MEMBERS: mortar and silica sand industries. It has a growing membership of � To help all interested parties to understand the significance, 480 companies and is the sectoral voice for the majority of mineral importance and value of the dimension products. Each year, mineral operators supply £21 billion of materials stone industry; and services to construction industry and other industries. Mineral � To help local planning authorities production represents the most significant materials flow in the UK plan positively for the future supply of dimension stone in their area; and economy and is also one of the largest manufacturing sectors.

� To help all relevant organisations to Dimension stone producers are a small but Dimension stone producers often believe deliver sustainable economic growth economically significant element of the that their proposals are considered by by regulating the winning and working MPA membership. Their annual output in planning authorities in the same context as of dimension stone in a fair and the UK consistently averages over 1.0 million aggregate operations which are generally reasonable way. tonnes and in 2010 reached 2.1 million much larger. Equally, all the commercial tonnes. The market value of these materials considerations that apply to larger sites is much higher than most minerals currently are assumed to apply to dimension stone extracted and varies considerably. The market working. The sections which follow aim to value of the most skilfully-crafted products highlight the differences and also set out can be in excess of £1,000 per tonne. Because some specific points that planning authorities of this variation, the value of this sector to the should take into account in both plan- UK economy is difficult to estimate but it was making and in the consideration of planning thought to be worth at least £350 million in applications. The same points may also be 2010 (United Kingdom Minerals Yearbook - relevant to the duties of other regulators, BGS). notably the Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales.

THE STATEMENT IS THEREFORE RELEVANT TO:

� All forms of engagement between the dimension stone industry and the decision makers in organisations which regulate that industry;

� The preparation of industry consultation responses to draft development plans;

� Local planning authorities in dealing with planning applications, reviews of mineral permissions and the regulation of operations;

� The safeguarding of local stone resources for future generations as an essential part of building and maintaining sustainable communities.

The document will be kept under review and comments will be welcomed from interested parties about its usefulness and relevance in dealing with regulatory matters related to the dimension stone industry.

2 Introduction and summary What is Dimension Stone? Dimension stone in the context of this document can be taken to mean any rock that is extracted for use largely in its natural state i.e. without crushing, screening, washing or similar treatment.

It covers building, walling, flooring and material each year to serve specialist and paving stone as well as a range of materials local markets. It is not uncommon for such used for roofing purposes. It includes sites to have only one or two employees and monumental stone and material worked for to be worked intermittently as needs arise. “high end” architectural uses such as cladding buildings. Natural stone is back in fashion for There are however larger dimension stone interior features such as staircases, fireplaces, operations which make up a significant kitchens and bathrooms. proportion of the industry. They are locally very important employers and such The geology of the UK is such that a very operations serve markets on a regional, wide range of distinctive building stones national and sometimes international scale. have been used over the centuries. Most are still being worked to meet both new and Dimension stone is mainly extracted in ongoing needs, throughout Great Britain. surface operations, but underground stone mining which has been traditionally carried There are currently about 395 active out in a few places such as Bath and Wiltshire dimension stone quarries and mines in Great (Bath Stone) is now being expanded. In new Britain (BGS BRITPITS database). Amongst underground operations such as the Isle of them are a number of very small operations Portland (Portland Stone) this is being driven (around 0.5ha) including some which principally by planning considerations. produce only around 100 cubic metres of

3 Why is the Dimension Stone industry important?

Paragraph 142 of the National Planning Policy Framework restates an established UK Government principle that minerals are essential to support sustainable economic growth and our quality of life. Included in the definition of “Minerals of local and national importance” in the NPPF (Annex2: Glossary) are “ . . . local minerals of importance to heritage assets and local distinctiveness”, a description which certainly encompasses dimension stone.

In Paragraph 143, the NPPF stresses the report that repairs account for only around importance of maintaining a sufficient supply 10% of their market. There are many parts of materials whilst aiming to source minerals of the UK whose distinctive character is set supplies indigenously. Using indigenous by the natural stone buildings which form resources minimises the distance they have them. To remain viable those communities to be transported to their point of use and need to grow and to evolve, which creates a thence their carbon footprint. Security of need for extensions and new buildings. Use supply is also more certain if viable sources of the original stone is often the only way of can be maintained here in the UK. ensuring that new development is in keeping with the old. Dimension stone operations are commonly located in rural environments and have often The industry recognises that imported been a central part of community life for materials are available which may be, on many generations. They continue to provide the face of it, a good match for indigenous employment and opportunities to acquire stone. However, these materials are unlikely skills that would otherwise not be available to have the same workability or weathering in those settings. In addition to providing characteristics as the original and extreme materials close to points of need, the care has to be exercised in their use. Specifiers importance of the industry to rural economies should be reluctant to use imported materials must also be an essential part of considering for that reason. Alternatives to natural stone, dimension stone proposals. The conservation such as reconstituted material, brick or and restoration of our heritage assets makes concrete are not always suitable for modern a positive contribution to sustainable rural buildings, particularly when they must take communities and brings wider social, cultural their place in conservation areas or other and environmental benefits. sensitive locations.

At paragraph 144 (Bullet Point 8) the NPPF Many MPA members believe that imported recognises the need for small scale building materials can only compete in the UK market stone extraction to provide materials for simply because their production is not subject the repair of heritage assets. This is the only to the costly cumulative regulatory burdens specific reference to the dimension stone (including the planning constraints) which industry in the NPPF. Whilst the maintenance UK operators have to bear. In many cases of historic buildings and monuments is of it has become easier to source dimension great importance, use of the term “small stone from abroad rather than negotiate the scale” in the NPPF understates the wider UK planning and environmental permitting maintenance needs that arise at the heart systems, as is necessary to make supplies of of some of our major towns and cities indigenous materials available. such as London, Bath and Sheffield, whose great buildings have been constructed of Importing stone from remote sources such as indigenous stone. India and China must raise questions on both economic and sustainability grounds, when Although the maintenance of these historic suitable and often better materials can be assets is an important role, MPA members made available in close proximity.

4 � The voids created have the potential to Dimension Stone working be used for certain specialist applications such as those requiring darkness or stable ambient air conditions.

– issues for planners � Working takes place away from the constraints of prevailing weather SURFACE WORKING UNDERGROUND WORKING conditions.

Dimension stone quarries are generally The issues associated with underground � The initial development costs are high very different in nature from other surface mining are quite different from those of as safe access to the rock unit of interest mineral workings in that: surface quarrying. has to be in place before any “paying” materials can be removed. � They extract much lower volumes of Extracting stone by underground methods material than say, aggregate quarry raises both planning and operational issues: � More specialist skills are required than for operations and also extend over smaller surface working. areas. � The visual impact and surface ‘footprint’ of the operation is much smaller, being � The workings must be ventilated and lit. � The extraction methods do not give rise confined to underground access portals to significant impacts on adjoining areas; (normally inclined tunnels or ‘drifts’) � The extraction efficiency may not be explosives are seldom used. and supporting infrastructure, including as high; material may have to be left behind for ground control purposes, but � workshops and ventilation plant. The volume of material that is moved extraction can normally take place closer from the site is much less than most � There are fewer zoning issues than with to the boundary of the underground quarry operations and therefore transport surface quarrying. resource as there is no necessity to have impacts are unlikely to be significant or an environmental stand-off. unmanageable. � Underground working gives rise to less environmental concern; minimal � Any overlying surface land uses may � Within natural stone quarries, the use of vibration and emissions of noise and dictate working practices that have to be heavy machinery will not be on anywhere near the scale of other types of mines or dust. employed. quarries, such as aggregates or coal. � It may make materials accessible that For the above reasons, underground � In many cases, material for infilling the otherwise could not be extracted viably production costs are relatively high and sites will be generated during extraction due to their location or geological almost certainly higher than surface and processing. The importation of infill is setting. extraction where the overburden is shallow. less likely to be necessary for restoration � They do not necessitate preparatory The stone can be mined by various methods purposes. stripping of soils or surface excavations. but ‘room and pillar’ (also known as ‘pillar and In common with larger surface operations, stall’) mining is the most common technique. � There is no surface void to restore. the restoration of dimension stone sites has A rock horizon is removed but pillars of Underground voids may be used to stow been a significant contributor to biodiversity rock are left in place in a regular pattern to discarded rock and thereby eliminate or gain and the natural stone industry provides support the roof. minimise surface tipping. excellent opportunities for environmental enhancement.

5 What do Dimension Stone producers need from the planning system?

Plan Making The MPA looks forward to positive which resources of those materials should be engagement with local planning authorities safeguarded. MPA members recognise the value on the subject of future supplies of of the plan-led system and hence the dimension stone. As stated elsewhere in this Further advice on the process of mineral importance of engaging with the plan- document, those supplies are essential to safeguarding is set out in “Mineral making process. The principal advantage secure both the restoration and conservation Safeguarding in England: good practice to operators is that by identifying areas of local heritage assets and the development advice” (2011) produced by the British for future working in a development plan, of sustainable communities. A sound Geological Survey. the investment risk associated with the development plan is paramount to the submission of a planning application is regulation of operations. substantially reduced. Paragraph 150 of the NPPF states that: “Local Plans Minerals plans should make adequate are the key to delivering sustainable provision for the maintenance of dimension development that reflects the vision stone supplies by identifying areas where and aspirations of local communities”. working is likely to be acceptable during the Paragraph 155 goes on to say that life of each plan. “Early and meaningful engagement and Sources to provide longer term supplies collaboration with neighbourhoods, local should be demarcated in development plans organisations and businesses is essential”. within Mineral Safeguarding Areas (MSAs). Most dimension stone reserves require Plans should include policies which show bespoke extraction equipment, which in the criteria the planning authority will apply turn generates long learning curves for when assessing applications for potentially Planning Applications, Reviews incompatible development in MSAs and the development and training for the staff, of Mineral Permissions and particularly for mining. The marketing hence how they will ensure that dimension of a new stone can only begin once the stone resources “… are not needlessly Environmental Regulation extraction starts and unlike aggregates it sterilised by non-mineral development.” Dimension stone planning applications is unlikely that an entirely new stone will (NPPF Para 143). should be decided on the basis of whether or immediately find customers. Marketing MPA members will help wherever possible not they constitute sustainable development programmes could take many years to bring with evidence and data on the use and (NPPF Paragraph 14) and not on the basis of the new resource up to full production, availability of local stone and the extent to perceptions and prejudices stemming from particularly for the international markets. much larger scale operations.

To be acceptable, proposals must address satisfactorily the three dimensions of sustainable development: economic, social and environmental (NPPF Paragraph 7).

As with all for mineral extraction, dimension stone planning applications are costly to assemble and will not be made unless an applicant is satisfied that the material can be sold. Need is best considered on a site-by- site basis and is likely to be very local, being largely driven by the past use of distinctive materials close to their source. However, in specific cases it may have a broader strategic context, such as the need to provide Purbeck and Portland stone for use in London and cities elsewhere in the UK.

When considering planning applications and deciding any planning conditions that might

6 be necessary to make them acceptable in planning terms, local planning authorities should take into account the comments set out in this document and in particular the following points:

� It is important, not only for the industry but also the local economy and the well being of the local community, to positively plan to meet the objectively assessed development needs of should not be sought by planning from dimension stone sites unless there the dimension stone industry from authorities unless there are sound are sound planning reasons for doing so. indigenous resources. planning reasons for doing so. � Vehicle movements associated with � Local decision makers should recognise � The sporadic working of dimension dimension stone quarry operations are the importance and value of the stone quarries, to meet needs only as unlikely to be significant. Any limits that dimension stone industry to the local they arise, is less likely to be a good are placed on the output from, or the economy in terms of jobs (direct and economic prospect then it has been in imports to, a dimension stone operation indirect), skills and training and financial the past. This is due mainly to the cost should relate principally to the capacity benefits (business rates etc). of maintaining the increasing number of of the highway network serving that regulatory consents (including planning site. The imposition of restrictions on permission) to which such sites, even lorry movements should not be used as when they are dormant, are subject. a means to control other aspects of the Therefore planning authorities should operation. be mindful of the fact that “the sporadic reopening of relic quarries” (NPPF � The viability and sustainability of Paragraph 144) to serve a specific short dimension stone sites may depend on term need, may be neither a viable nor performing many of the “value-added” a sustainable option. As a consequence, operations on the material, such as strategic planning for supplies of sawing, cutting, carving and shaping, distinctive materials through the before it leaves the site. Modern facilities development plan process is becoming are essential for those operations and of greater importance. A planning planning authorities should be aware authority should not seek to impose that processing plant should be provided limits on the markets that may be served on-site wherever possible to enable the by a quarry, as a more sustainable source greatest economic gain to be made from for meeting a more distant need, may the products and to minimise impacts not be available. on people, transportation and the environment. � Dimension stone production produces a relatively high proportion of discard � Even though dimension stone operations material. This stems from both the may be smaller in scale than the inherent variability of natural geological majority of surface mineral workings, materials and the need to ensure that an assured future is still necessary to products are of a consistent quality. support investment decisions. This The default position is often to retain reflects the need to justify the cost of and manage this material on site. new or replacement infrastructure and However, this can cause operational in the case of underground mining, the problems, as stored discard material can initial development cost. A reasonable prevent access to new working faces. working duration gives security to Markets may also arise for this material employees and assurances to customers from time to time, in which case it regarding continuity of supply. The NPPF can be used to substitute for primary (Paragraph 146) specifies minimum aggregate materials. Indeed some sites levels of 10 years reserves of industrial may produce a material that is suitable minerals which should be maintained for aggregate end uses as a matter of for that purpose. Whilst dimension stone course and sales of that material may be is not specifically mentioned, the same fundamental to the economic viability principles should be applied. The MPA of the operation. Planning authorities believes that short time limits (less than should not seek to place restrictions on 10 years) on the duration of operations the type of material that can be sold

7 Dimension Stone Group members Albion Stone plc Black Mountain Quarries / De Lank Quarry Ltd Burlington Slate Ltd Caithness Stone Industries Ltd Dunhouse Quarry Co Forest Pennant Gallagher Aggregates Hanson Bath & Portland Stone Hutton Stone Co Ltd Johnson Wellfield Quarries Lovell Stone Group Marchington Stone Ltd Marshalls Portland Stone Firms Ltd The Bath Stone Group Tradstocks Natural Stone Woodkirk Stone

For further information on any of these issues, please contact the MPA on the email/telephone number shown below.

The Mineral Products Association is the trade association for the aggregates, asphalt, cement, concrete, dimension stone, lime, mortar and silica sand industries. Mineral Products Association 38-44 Gillingham Street For further MPA information visit London SW1V 1HU www.mineralproducts.org

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