Land use is about more than just farming, says MPA
Mineral Products Association calls on Defra to take broader view, ahead of Quarries & Nature Awards
THE Government’s ‘national conversation’ on land use needs to take a broader view rather than focusing on agriculture, according to UK quarry operators.
Launched in January by Defra, the Land Use Consultation explores potential changes in the way land is used in England, with a heavy focus on food production and security, nature recovery, and climate resilience. Responding to the consultation, the Mineral Products Association (MPA) argues that what’s beneath the surface must not be overlooked when it comes to land use policy.
Despite the £8 billion economic contribution from the country’s quarry operators, and the industry’s role in land management, nature recovery, and climate resilience, the MPA has expressed astonishment that Defra’s 43-page consultation report does not one mention ‘quarrying’ or ‘mineral extraction’.
Quarry operators make an incredible contribution to nature recovery and biodiversity net gain, seizing rare opportunities to create new priority habitat as quarries are restored. Indeed, many of the UK’s most treasured nature reserves and country parks were created through quarrying.
Next week (18th March 2025) some of the biggest names in wildlife conservation will speak at the MPA’s Quarries & Nature Awards 2025, including chair of Natural England Tony Juniper CBE, RSPB chief executive Beccy Speight, chief executive officer of London Wildlife Trust David Mooney, and Minister for Nature The Rt Hon Mary Creagh CBE MP.
Whilst quarrying accounts for just 0.3% of the nation’s land use, to meet the country’s demand for mineral products, companies collectively extract 1 million tonnes of raw materials every day. In doing so the industry is also a key contributor to the rural economy, supporting 80,000 permanent skilled jobs and providing many regional economic benefits.
Moreover, the Government’s mission to ‘kick start economic growth’ rests in large part on the foundations and fabric the built environment. The mineral products industry is the single biggest supplier to the construction sector, delivering 400 million tonnes every year of aggregates, concrete, cement, asphalt, and other materials for the homes, infrastructure, public buildings, and private development a modern economy needs.
The UK has a variety of mineral resources in abundance, but commercially viable raw materials can only be worked where they are found, and the nationwide distribution of different minerals reflects the country’s underlying geology.
In its response to the Land Use Consultation, the MPA intends to underline key issues facing the sector – especially planning and regulation – reminding the Government that while representing a small land footprint, mineral extraction is ‘punching far above its weight’ for the economy, society, and the environment.
Mark Russell, MPA executive director for environment and mineral planning, said: ‘If it can’t be grown, it has to be dug. So while mineral development may represent a tiny fraction of the land used in England, it is absolutely essential for construction, manufacturing, and the wider economy and it mustn’t be forgotten.
'Minerals have to be part of any conversation about land use, and the mineral safeguarding principles established in national planning policy are essential to ensure a steady and adequate supply for the future.
‘That’s even more important given that quarrying is effectively a temporary land use and, from a nature recovery perspective, the minerals industry offers one of the UK’s biggest habitat expansion opportunities, creating new areas for wildlife through the restoration and aftercare of quarries.
‘In partnership with the leading conservation bodies, our sector has already created more than 83km2 of priority habitat (the same area as a city the size of Nottingham) with a further 110km2 already planned and committed (an area the size of Liverpool). We will be celebrating this unique contribution to nature recovery next week with our Quarries & Nature Awards 2025.’
