Mineral safeguarding is the process used in the planning system to ensure that potential mineral resources are not needlessly sterilised.
In cases where a non-mineral development may impact upon an identified mineral resource, planning authorities are increasingly requiring the submission of Mineral Resource Assessments (MRAs). Hughes Craven have experience of preparing MRAs to support a wide variety of non-mineral developments, from applications for a single dwelling up to strategic allocations for new infrastructure and thousands of homes.
Such assessments initially aim to identify and characterise any potential resources using pre-existing data, and many MRAs are completed without the need for site investigations. Where site investigations are unavoidable, we can advise on the required scope and liaise with contractors to ensure that the works are completed with minimum costs and disturbance.
Should a viable resource be identified, an assessment can be made as to how it can be extracted in the most practical and environmentally acceptable manner, minimising any delays to the non-mineral development whilst ensuring that the mineral resource is not needlessly sterilised.
