Proposed toolkit for developing aggregate apportionment options (ASRP 2/8). Final report

The regional and sub-regional apportionment of aggregate provision is a long established component of mineral planning in England. Driven by a need to ensure a steady and adequate supply of raw materials to the construction industry, it has been a priority of Government to maintain a planning system that ensures sufficient land comes forward for extraction in locations in reasonable proximity to the principal markets. This research undertook the following: 1) An evaluation of current approaches to regional and sub-regional aggregates apportionment. This centred on a review of the various approaches that have been tried against a set of agreed criteria to identify good practice and, where appropriate, shortcomings in the methodologies used. 2) Drawing on the findings of the evaluation, reviewing the extent to which improvements are needed in the aggregate apportionment process and steps that can be taken to achieve a consistent mechanism for developing apportionment options. 3) The formulation of a toolkit for developing apportionment options that ensures environmental considerations are taken into account during, and therefore informing, the apportionment process, and that the process is founded on a robust evidence base, engages relevant stakeholders and is well documented and transparent.