Safeguarding stone : identification of local stone resources for building and conservation in England : an update

The current mineral planning system, enshrined in the Environment Act 2004, emphasises the importance of sustainable development in mineral extraction. In England, Minerals Policy Statement 1 (MPS1) sets out national policy for safeguarding minerals. At the same time English Heritage has developed a policy on mineral extraction and the historic environment. This links the historic significance of landscape and quarrying sites and impact on the environment caused by mineral extraction; with provision of mitigation measures, the supply of natural stone to conserve the historic environment and the need to preserve local distinctiveness. In many parts of England, natural stone extraction has long ceased, and distinctive local stones for building and conservation use are very difficult or impossible to source. The British Geological Survey (BGS) is working with English Heritage and local geological teams to collate a spatial database of building stone quarries and significant buildings for England in order to assist in the identification and protection of sustainable stone resources for building and conservation purposes. The work will identify building stones which are currently worked or have been used in the past and enable specific building stones to be identified and their patterns of use determined. The information will be publically available through the BGS MineralsUK.com website to allow searches by local authorities, conservators and other interested parties to find potential sources of building stones, and help ensure that they are safeguarded for the future.