Yorkshire and the Humber Region : sand and gravel resources and environmental assets

The Yorkshire and Humber Regional Assembly and the Yorkshire and the Humber Regional Aggregates Working Party (RAWP) are seeking assistance in analysing the likely environmental impacts of meeting additional sand and gravel extraction and the ability of aggregate producing areas in the region to absorb such impacts. Although the region has adequate permitted reserves to meet the crushed rock guideline figure to 2016, a sand and gravel shortfall is anticipated, in particular, concreting aggregate. The Yorkshire and Humber Assembly commissioned the British Geological Survey to carry out a study to identify the broad areas of sand and gravel resources in the region and to further identify potentially suitable resources for use in the concrete products industry. In addition, information on the environmental and cultural assets and planning considerations associated with these areas was requested. The project was carried out in three key stages. This report describes the methodology employed at each stage. The first stage of the study was concerned with resource identification, both the broad distribution of sand and gravel resources and those resources potentially suitable for concreting aggregate. The sand and gravel resources of the region can be broadly subdivided into river sand and gravel, sub-alluvial deposits, glaciofluvial deposits, glaciolacustrine deposits, blown sand, head gravel and beach sand and gravel. Of these, river sand and gravel, glaciofluvial deposits and sub-alluvial deposits have the greatest potential for use as concreting aggregate. These resources were, in turn, divided into inferred and indicated resources, reflecting differing degrees of geological assurance. It is important to note that the economic potential of specific sites can only be proved by a detailed evaluation programme. The second stage of the study identified the environmental and cultural assets and other features relevant to planning in the region. The identification of assets and planning features was undertaken in consultation with the Assembly. Only those assets available digitally were incorporated. The final stage of the study integrated the identified environmental and cultural assets into a composite assets layer termed an ‘environmental sensitivity layer’. This layer depicts areas of higher or lower sensitivity based on the number of environmental or cultural assets at a given location. Higher sensitivity does not necessarily mean an area will be unsuitable for aggregates development, just that there may be more to consider and more stakeholders to consult. The data compiled in all three stages of this study will provide essential baseline information for the next steps of the ODPM ‘Good Practice Guidance on the Environmental Appraisal of the Provision of Aggregates’ (ODPM, 2004). The guidance is a two stage, 10 step process and is an aid to decision makers evaluating various supply scenarios for aggregates at the strategic scale. The data from this project will provide a useful reference in any scenario testing of future aggregates provision as required by the ODPM guidance.