Policy SI 10 — Aggregates

Policy SI 10 Aggregates A An adequate supply of aggregates to support construction in London will be achieved by: 1) encouraging re-use and recycling of construction, demolition and excavation waste within London, including on-site 2) extracting land-won aggregates within London 3) importing aggregates to London by sustainable transport modes. B Development Plans should: 1) make provision for the maintenance of a landbank (i.e. seven years’ supply) of at least five million tonnes of land-won aggregates up to 2041, in particular through a landbank apportionment of: a) at least 1.75 mt to London Borough of Havering b) at least 0.7 mt to London Borough of Redbridge c) at least 1.75 mt to London Borough of Hillingdon d) at least 0.7 mt to London Borough of Hounslow. 2) ensure sufficient capacity of aggregates wharves and aggregate rail depots is available to ensure a steady and adequate supply of imported and marine aggregates to London and maximise the movement of aggregates by sustainable modes 3) support the production of recycled/secondary aggregates and, where practicable, expand capacity at/or adjacent to aggregates wharves and rail depots and quarries during their operational life, within or adjacent to major construction projects. C All Mineral Planning Authorities should, in Development Plans: 1) identify mineral safeguarding areas to protect sand and gravel resources from development that would otherwise sterilise future potential extraction 2) identify and safeguard sites and facilities, including wharves and railheads, with existing, planned or potential capacity for transportation, distribution, processing and/or production of primary and/or secondary/recycled aggregates. D To reduce the environmental impact of aggregate sites and facilities development proposals should: 1) demonstrate that appropriate measures to deal with aftercare, restoration and re-use of minerals sites following extraction are in place; with particular emphasis on promoting green infrastructure and biodiversity 2) ensure that potential impacts, in particular to the natural and historic environment and to human health, are assessed and effectively controlled. E Development proposals should be designed to avoid and mitigate potential conflicts with sites safeguarded for the transportation, distribution, processing and/or production of aggregates, in line with the Agent of Change principle. 9.10.1 London needs a reliable supply of construction materials to support continued growth. National planning policy requires Mineral Planning Authorities to maintain a steady and adequate supply of aggregates. These include land-won sand and gravel, crushed rock, marine sand and gravel, recycled materials and secondary aggregates created from construction, demolition and excavation (CD&E) and industrial waste. Most aggregates used in the capital come from outside London, including marine sand and gravel and land-won aggregates, principally crushed rock from other regions. There are relatively small resources of workable land-won sand and gravel in London. 9.10.2 A realistic landbank (i.e. seven years’ supply) of at least 5 million tonnes of land-won aggregates for London throughout the Plan period has been apportioned to boroughs as set out in this policy. There remains some potential for extraction beyond the four boroughs identified, including within the Lee Valley. Boroughs with aggregates resources should consider extraction opportunities when preparing Development Plans. 9.10.3 Those boroughs with an apportionment should plan to meet their landbank target and plan for the steady and adequate supply of minerals through the identification of specific sites where viable resources are known to exist, preferred areas where known resources are likely to get planning permission, and areas of search where mineral resources might reasonably be anticipated. 9.10.4 Aggregates are bulky materials so Development Plans should maximise their use and re-use and minimise their movement, especially by road. The objective of proximity dictates that the best option is the use of local materials where feasible. The re-use/recycling of building materials and aggregates is a significant and well established component of the circular economy advocated in Policy SI 7 Reducing waste and supporting the circular economy and reduces the demand for natural materials. 9.10.5 Boroughs should identify and safeguard existing, planned and potential sites for aggregate extraction, transportation, processing and manufacture – and recognise where there may be benefits in their co-location. Existing and future wharf capacity is essential, especially for transporting marine-dredged aggregates, and should be protected in accordance with Policy SI 15 Water transport . Equally important are railway depots for importing crushed rock from other parts of the UK. Railheads are vital to the sustainable movement of aggregates and boroughs should safeguard these sites in line with Policy T7 Deliveries, Servicing and Construction . Boroughs should also safeguard sites for the production and distribution of aggregate products. 9.10.6 Development proposals and planning decisions should ensure that impacts to environment, heritage and amenity values are considered, including the cumulative effects of multiple impacts from individual sites and/or a number of sites in a locality. Principal issues include noise, dust, air quality, lighting, archaeological and heritage features, traffic, land contamination, impacts to surface and ground water and land stability. 9.10.7 Sites for depots may be particularly appropriate in preferred industrial locations and other employment areas. Boroughs should examine the feasibility of using quarries as CD&E recycling sites once mineral extraction has finished. 9.10.8 Mineral Planning Authorities are required to prepare an annual Local Aggregates Assessment (LAA) . The Mayor will work with boroughs and the London Aggregates Working Party London Plan Policy SI 10 · official source →