Aggregate resource alternatives : options for future aggregate minerals supply in England

This report is one of two outputs from a project entitled ‘Aggregate resource alternatives: Options for future aggregate minerals supply in England’. It accompanies eight aggregate mineral resource maps at 1:250 000 scale, one for each region in England (the South East and London have been combined on one map). The aims of this particular project were: • To produce maps at 1:250 000 scale for each region in England which depict those aggregate mineral resources that lie outside selected environmental designations as well as showing the location of active aggregates operations (quarries, wharves and rail depots). Designations to be assessed were National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) and Natura 2000 sites (Special Protection Areas (SPAs) and Special Areas of Conservation (SACs)). (As part of this work, analysis was subsequently extended to include Sites of Special Scientific Interest). • To describe the impacts of policy and regulations on the working of aggregates in designated areas. • To identify current aggregate production from, available reserves within and current interaction between active aggregates quarries and selected environmental designations. • To summarise, at the strategic level, the extent to which possible alternative supply options for aggregates would be able to sustain into the future a steady and adequate supply of aggregates should additional resources located within National Parks and AONBs become unavailable.