Scoping Document

3. Context of the Nottinghamshire Minerals Local Plan

3.1Before we can develop a Plan that informs the future minerals strategy in Nottinghamshire, we must firstly consider the local area. This includes understanding:

• Key local information which will shape Nottinghamshire and how minerals will be worked in the future
• The mineral resource available in Nottinghamshire and current markets
• National and local policy which will influence the Plan

3.2We therefore propose that this chapter of the Plan will contain the following sections:

• A spatial portrait of Nottinghamshire
• A minerals portrait of Nottinghamshire
• Relevant policy documents

3.3What we propose to include within each section is outlined below.

Spatial Portrait

3.4Within this section of the chapter, we propose to outline the key information which makes Nottinghamshire and Nottingham unique. By understanding this, we can then develop a Plan that works for Nottinghamshire and Nottingham.

3.5We anticipate the following topics to be covered within the spatial portrait:

• Location of Nottinghamshire and Nottingham and detailing their relationship with the wider East Midlands and future LGR unitary authorities
• Population - current and future forecasts and health indicators
• Key transport links - current and future projects planned
• Employment and economy - past, present and future
• Landscape and countryside - past, present and future
• Nature - including water, soil and air
• Heritage

Minerals Portrait

3.6This section will detail all the different mineral resources which are present in Nottinghamshire. An overview of how the mineral industry in Nottinghamshire has developed over time will also be given, with current extraction areas highlighted. A map of the full geological resource will be provided, noting that these are not the mineral safeguarding areas, which will be refined to the economic resource as discussed in chapter 7.

Relevant Policy documents

3.7The Minerals Plan will not exist in isolation but will be part of the wider development plan framework for the area. It is therefore important to acknowledge the other policy documents which the mineral plan will have regard to.

3.8In this section we will therefore list the other local plan documents which are relevant, including the Nottinghamshire and Nottingham Waste Local Plan (adopted September 2025), the Nottingham City Local Plan Review and local plans being developed or adopted which address matters such as housing and employment.

3.9The Minerals Plan will also need to recognise and be developed in accordance with the Spatial Development Strategy which the East Midlands Combined Authority is responsible for. This strategy is still emerging and so we will continue to engage with the combined authority about its development throughout the preparation of the minerals plan.

3.10It will also be important to recognise the Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) which was approved by both the County and City Council in September 2025. This will have influence on the Plans development as well as potential site allocations.

3.11This section will also need to recognise any national policy which has shaped the Plan. This will likely include the NPPF (2026), which now contains national decision – making policies, as well as National Planning Practice Guidance.