Scoping Document
1. Introduction
1.1Minerals are a key part of everyday life, used to build our homes, roads and key infrastructure as well as being used in manufacturing, agriculture and countless other ways. It is therefore important that we plan for future extraction of minerals and ensure a sufficient supply to meet demand. In doing so it allows for continued growth and development.
1.2Nottinghamshire County Council and Nottingham City Council (referenced hereafter as the Councils) are the Minerals Planning Authorities for Nottinghamshire and Nottingham respectively. It is the Councils’ responsibility to prepare and update a Minerals Local Plan which sets out the strategy for minerals in the area to ensure a sufficient supply to meet society’s needs.
Current situation
1.3Currently, the County Council and City Council have developed separate Minerals Local Plans.
1.4For Nottinghamshire, the adopted Nottinghamshire Minerals Local Plan (March 2021) provides the mineral strategy for Nottinghamshire until 2035.
1.5For Nottingham City, the provision of minerals is addressed in the minerals section of the Land and Planning Policies Development Plan Document (Part 2 Local Plan) (LPP2 DPD) which was adopted in January 2020.
1.6The Councils, however, have a long history of working jointly on waste policies and adopted the joint Nottinghamshire and Nottingham Waste Local Plan in September 2025.
Why a new joint plan now?
1.7Both Plans mentioned above were adopted over 5 years ago. As per regulation 43 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2026, the Councils are now required to begin preparation of a new Plan for minerals.
1.8The fact that both Plans require updating at the same time offers an opportunity to work jointly on a new Minerals Local Plan which will cover both authorities.
1.9This opportunity also coincides with Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). Under LGR, both authorities, along with the seven borough and districts of Nottinghamshire, will cease to exist and will be replaced by unitary authorities.
1.10On the 7th of September 2026, the Government announced a pause for LGR in Nottinghamshire and Nottingham whilst a review is undertaken. It is currently unknown what the new unitary authorities will be or the timescale for their introduction.
1.11Despite this uncertainty, Government guidance is clear that LGR should not postpone plan- making and Councils should continue to develop new Local Plans. As the new unitary authorities are likely to cover the same administrative and geographical area that the County Council and Nottingham City Council currently do, the Councils are working together to prepare a joint Minerals Local Plan. This will be known as the Nottinghamshire Minerals Local Plan 2045.
1.12By preparing a joint plan prior to LGR, this means that the new unitary authorities should be able to continue jointly preparing a new Nottinghamshire Minerals Local Plan following LGR as the geographical area for the Plan will not alter.
1.13We will continue to review any implications of further LGR announcements as we develop the Plan. Further information and the latest news on LGR can be found on the LGR Future Nottinghamshire webpage.
Nottinghamshire Minerals Local Plan 2045
1.14The new Nottinghamshire Minerals Local Plan will provide the strategy for minerals development across Nottinghamshire and Nottingham for the next 15 years. With the Plan anticipated to be adopted in September 2029, the Plan will therefore cover up to 2045. It will, however, as required by the regulations, be updated every five years[1].
1.15Once adopted, the new Plan will replace the existing Nottinghamshire Minerals Local Plan and the mineral policies within the Land and Planning Policies Development Plan Document (Part 2 Local Plan).
1.16Please note that Nottingham City Council is also preparing a new Nottingham City Local Plan to replace the LPP2 DPD. The scope of this Plan will not cover minerals, with minerals planning intended to be addressed through this joint separate Nottinghamshire Minerals Local Plan 2045, and each have their own timetable and notice.
Scoping consultation
1.17After publishing our Notice of Intention to Commence Plan Preparation on the 31st of July 2026, the Councils are now taking the first steps in the Plan’s preparation as identified in our Local Plan timetable, which is to undertake a scoping consultation.
1.18As set out in the regulations, the scoping consultation is inviting you to make representations on:
- Matters relevant to the preparation of the minerals plan as the Councils consider appropriate, including what the document should contain
- How the authority should engage with stakeholders in the preparation of the minerals plan
1.19The Councils are therefore seeking views on both points in this scoping consultation and have published the following documents for consultation, each of which address a key topic:
Scoping document on Plan matters (this document)
Seeks views on key matters for the Plan and outlines what the Plan is likely to contain
Engagement strategy
Outlines the Councils proposed approach and seeks views on how we intend to engage and consult you at the consultation stages
Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) screening report
This screening assessment considers whether the Plan is likely to have significant environmental effects and whether a SEA is required.
Draft Local Aggregates Assessment (containing 2025 sales)
A key background document which will inform the future demand and need for minerals in Nottinghamshire
Draft site selection methodology
Outlines and seeks views on the proposed site selection methodology which will be used to assess sites for allocations.
1.20We are keen to seek your views on the above documents and encourage you to respond to the questions asked within the scoping document, consultation strategy and draft site selection methodology.
1.21To assist the Councils in analysing responses in a timely manner, questions are asked within each individual document.
1.22Please note that the scoping consultation will run from the 12th of October 2026 until the 9th of November 2026.
Scoping document on Plan matters
1.23This document relates to the matters the Councils wish to seek views on at this stage. Gaining your views early in the Plan’s preparation will help shape the Plan and we are keen to understand your view on a range of topics.
1.24We also want to gain your views on what the new Plan should contain and look like. With new regulations in place for plan - making and a new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF, August 2026), this means the new Minerals Plan will look different to the current adopted Plans. We want to ensure that the new Plan covers everything we need to.
1.25This document therefore is structured around the proposed layout for the new Plan. Chapter 2 firstly explains how this layout has been developed, identifying the following potential layout:
- Context for the Plan
- Vision and measurable outcomes
- Spatial strategy
- Mineral need and provision
- Mineral safeguarding
- Local Policies
- Monitoring
1.26Each chapter is taken in turn, outlining what we think each section may contain as well as highlighting key issues we wish to seek your views on. At this early stage, no proposed draft text is included.
1.27We want to hear your views on what you think the new Plan should contain and ask specific questions on matters and issues throughout the document which you can respond to.
1.28We will take into consideration your views alongside evidence and national policy to develop and prepare the Plan.
1.29You will be able to engage again on the Plan at a further two consultations as detailed in the timetable.
1.30Please note that at this stage, there are no site allocations proposed. The Councils expect allocations will be needed to meet future mineral demand. We are therefore asking for feedback about the spatial strategy, how to calculate future need for minerals and how sites should be assessed. These are the key elements which will determine what sites will be allocated in future versions of the Plan.
1.31These issues are outlined in this document and within the draft site selection methodology, with the Draft Local Aggregates Assessment (LAA) a key background document which explores this further.
1.32Once feedback on these issues has been reviewed by the Councils, a call for sites will be undertaken in early 2027 whereby mineral operators and landowners can submit potential mineral sites for consideration.
How to respond
1.33We want to hear from you and gain your views. The best way to submit your responses to the questions is by responding via our online consultation portal. You will need to create an account but by using the portal, you will be able to directly respond to the questions. It will also reduce time taken to process responses and aid the Councils in analysing responses in a timely manner and move onto the next stages.
1.34Alternatively, you can submit responses via
Email to: MineralsLocalPlan@nottscc.gov.uk
Post to: FAO Planning Policy Team, Nottinghamshire County Council, County Hall, Loughborough Road, West Bridgford, NG2 7QP
1.35If you choose to submit responses via email or post, you must include within your response:
- Your name, and if representing an organisation, the name of the organisation and your position
- Contact point (email or postal address)
- The document you are responding to
- The question number you are responding to
RESPONSES MUST BE RECEIVED BY 17:00 ON MONDAY THE 9TH OF NOVMEBER 2026.
RESPONSES RECEIVED AFTER THIS TIME MAY NOT BE ACCEPTED NOR TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION.
1.36Please note that your comments and name will be publicly published on our website. Any personal information that you provide will be used by the Councils for the purpose of the Minerals Local Plan only. Please see our privacy notice on the County Council’s website under Transport, environment and economy.
1.37By submitting a representation or choosing the new Minerals Local Plan as a topic of interest on our consultation portal, you will be automatically added to our contact database. You will therefore be notified of when the Plan hits key milestones at the registered email or postal address provided to us.
1.38If you wish to be removed from this database and no longer receive these notifications, this can be requested at any time by contacting us via emailing MineralsLocalPlan@nottscc.gov.uk.
Any questions?
1.39If you have any questions regarding any of the documents, the consultation or the new Nottinghamshire Minerals Local Plan in general, please contact us via:
Phone: 0300 500 8080
[1] Regulation 43 (1) of the Town and County Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2026
