3.1 Understanding the need for minerals over the Plan period is fundamental to the site selection process, with need ultimately informing the number of sites required to be allocated.
3.2For aggregates, which include sand and gravel, Sherwood Sandstone and Crushed Rock, the Local Aggregate Assessment (LAA) (containing 2025 sales data) will be the key evidence piece to determine the current reserves and forecast the expected future demand for aggregates over the plan period. A draft LAA has been published as part of the scoping consultation.
3.3Chapter 6 of the scoping document goes into further detail on how the need for aggregates over the Plan period could be calculated. It provides options for each aggregate to calculate demand to ensure the Plan is positive and able to accommodate any future growth in demand.
3.4To help identify the need for non-aggregate minerals, including brick clay, gypsum, silica sand and industrial dolomite, we will liaise with operators to discuss current reserve levels and future requirements. We will ensure that landbanks for non-aggregate minerals will meet the required levels as set out by Policy M1 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF, 2026).
3.5Once the amount of mineral required is set, we will then consider permitted reserves for this mineral and calculate how much more is required to be allocated to meet demand.
3.6This provides the starting point for understanding what the Plan needs to allocate and will help with the following stages of the site selection process.
