The Cornish Chamber of Mines and Minerals (CCMM) was pleased to be asked by Cornwall Council to comment on a draft of the Chief Planning Officer’s Advice Note on Critical Minerals.
Critical Minerals’s Advice Notes are used to guide greater consistency when making planning decisions. This Advice Note on Critical Minerals aligns with the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and the Cornwall Local Plan on the significance of mineral extraction and sustainable development. Whilst not a policy document, the Note seeks to raise awareness within the Local Planning Authority of the importance of minerals and provides context to applicants and case officers on the interpretation of existing policies.
This Guidance Note provides background on the role of ‘Critical Minerals’ in the transition to net zero and the occurrences of these strategic deposits in Cornwall. It gives weight to the Minerals Safeguarding Development Plan Document, which is part of the Cornwall Local Plan.
The CCMM commented on the technical content of the report and highlighted key issues for consideration. Members of the CCMM Management Committee, which includes local mineral exploration and development companies, were also given the opportunity to provide information about their current activities and areas of interest in the region.
Chief Planning Officer Advice Notes can be updated from time-to-time in response to changing circumstances. Whilst the term ‘Critical Mineral’ is gaining political traction, it’s use in this Note should not detract from the significance of all minerals to meet societal needs, many of which have long been extracted in Cornwall, including aggregates and china clay. It will be important to revisit this document to keep it aligned with both ‘critical’ and ‘essential’ mineral interests in the region.
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