Minerals Policy

Minerals Policy

Minerals Local Plan (MLP) July 2017

Milton Keynes Council is the Minerals Planning Authority (MPA) for the Borough. As the MPA, Milton Keynes Council has prepared a new Minerals Local Plan (MLP) in line with the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). The Minerals Local Plan 2017 was adopted on 1 July 2017 and replaces the Minerals Local Plan 2006 (MLP 2006).

Adoption - July 2017

On 1 July 2017, the Council formally adopted the Milton Keynes Minerals Local Plan.

This follows the submission and examination of the new Minerals Local Plan, as outlined below, and the receipt of the independent Inspector's report, dated 19 April 2017, in which the Inspector confirmed that the new Plan is ‘sound’ provided that it incorporates the modifications that were put forward by both Milton Keynes Council and herself and which were subject to public consultation.

The policies and proposals in the new Plan will now replace the saved policies in the Milton Keynes Minerals Local Plan (2006) and will form part of the Development Plan for the Borough setting out the new policies against which planning applications for minerals development will be determined.

The adopted version of the plan and the associated adoption statements and Inspectors report's can be viewed at the following links:

Milton Keynes Minerals Local Plan (July 2017) 

Milton Keynes Minerals Plan Adoption Statement 

Sustainability Appraisal Environmental Report 

Milton Keynes Minerals Plan Sustainability Appraisal/Strategic Environmental Assessment Adoption Statement 

Milton Keynes Minerals Local Plan Inspector's Report (April 2017) 

Milton Keynes Minerals Local Plan Inspector's Report Appendix (April 2017) 

Proposed Modifications Consultation

The Milton Keynes Minerals Local Plan (MLP) was submitted to the Secretary of State for its independent examination on 31 March 2016. The examination hearing sessions were held on 18 and 19 October 2016. As a consequence of a formal request by the Council to the Inspector to recommend any main modifications deemed necessary to ensure the plan is sound and appropriate for adoption, the Inspector advised that a public consultation on the main modifications to the Plan should be undertaken.

Representations were accepted until Friday 3 March 2017.

The schedule of the main modifications, along with the Minerals Local Plan as submitted, are available to view below.

Submission Plan

The Minerals Local Plan was submitted to the Secretary of State for its independent examination on Thursday 31 March 2016. All representations made on the Proposed Submission (Final Draft) Plan will be considered by the Planning Inspector who has been appointed by the Secretary of State to undertake the independent examination.

Proposed Submission (publication) Plan

This was the stage for people to respond on whether the plan is sound and representations made at this stage will be forwarded to the Inspector appointed by the Secretary of State.

During the publication and representation period the Council held five public meetings at which officers were present to answer any questions about how to respond to the Proposed Submission Plan. These were at Lathbury, Sherington, Lavendon, Weston Underwood and Old Stratford.

The Minerals Plan was agreed for publication and submission to the Secretary of State at the Council meeting held on 21 October 2015:

Council Meeting 21 October 2015

Prior to this some additional work was undertaken before publication. This included a peer review to make sure we have a robust and sound Minerals Local Plan before we get to the Examination stage. The Peer Review report has now been completed and is available to view at: Minerals Local Plan Peer Review.

 

Local Aggregates Assessment 

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) requires Minerals Planning Authorities (MPAs) to plan for a steady and adequate supply of aggregates by preparing an annual Local Aggregates Assessment (LAA). The LAA is required to:

  • Forecast the future demand for aggregates based on average of 10 year sales data and other relevant local information, and
  • Make an assessment of all aggregate supply options,

This is the 2023 version of the LAA and includes the most recent (2022) aggregate sales and reserves data for Milton Keynes. The 10 year period covered by this LAA is 2013 up to 2022. 

 

Duty to Cooperate and the MK Minerals Local Plan

Local Planning Authorities have a duty to cooperate on planning issues that cross boundaries, particularly strategic priorities, including the provision of minerals. As an integral part of the preparation of the Minerals Local Plan, Milton Keynes Council is publishing this Statement on the Duty to Co-operate (DtC) on how it intends to address this matter through the plan preparation process.

The assessment of potential mineral sites has been a key part of the preparation of the Minerals Local Plan.  This Methodology Statement sets out the process for assessing these sites. 

Past Consultations

Consultation on the Draft Minerals Local Plan (Preferred Options)

The consultation on the Draft Plan was the second key stage in the preparation of a new Minerals Local Plan for Milton Keynes Borough, and the first where an actual 'Local Plan' document is produced. 

It was the first opportunity for people to see an emerging plan and how everything fits together, and to object if the approaches in the plan were considered to be incorrect or if they could be improved. 

Consultation on the Draft Plan ran for a period of twelve weeks between Wednesday 13 August and Wednesday 5 November 2014.

A series of public meetings and drop-in sessions were held during the consultation period. 

A record of all the comments received to the consultation and the officer comments responding to them.

Consultation on Minerals Local Plan - Issues and Options Paper

The Issues and Options was the first key stage in the development of the new MLP. It set out the key issues the MLP is proposed to cover and asked for comment on this. The Issues and Options paper was approved for consultation by Cabinet on 16 October 2013.

Comments on the Issues and Options Paper could be made for a period of 12 weeks between Wednesday 30 October 2013 and Wednesday 22 January 2014.

Following on from this consultation, all responses made were analysed and a Preferred Options document produced.