Brick clay : issues for planning

1.1 This report describes research commissioned by the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions (DTLR) on the planning issues associated with brick clay extraction and processing in Great Britain. The research was undertaken as part of the DTLR Minerals, Land Instability and Waste Planning Research Programme. 1.2 The research is based on an extensive survey of the brick industry. This considered its raw material requirements, manufacturing base, products and markets. A review of the planning process and issues arising for brick clay was also carried out at the same time. This involved wide consultation with both planning authorities and the industry. It identified a range of planning issues, including those which relate to planning in general, those generic to mineral planning and those specific to brick clay. The interpretation of the resulting information, the summary of views and the conclusions and recommendations expressed in the report are those of the research team and do not necessarily represent the views of Government or of any other party. 1.3 The purpose of the research is to review current and future issues in planning for the supply of brick clay. This is the essential raw material for the brick, tile and pipe industry within Great Britain. Relevant planning issues are identified and the effectiveness of present planning policy and guidance in dealing with these issues is assessed. Recommendations are made to address problems concerning current policy and guidance. The overall approach to the research and structure of this report is summarised in Figure 1. 1.4 In the main body of this report, the word ‘bricks’ refers to structural clayware including bricks, roof tiles and pipes which are manufactured from brick clay. ‘Brick clay’ or ‘clay’ refers to clays used in the manufacture of these and associated products. This includes materials known and recorded in official statistics as ‘common clay and shale’ and ‘fireclay’, but largely excludes special clays such as ball clay and china clay.