Mineral planning

Mineral resources are defined as natural concentrations of minerals. In the case of aggregates, they are bodies of rock that are, or may become, of potential economic interest. This is due to their characteristic properties.

We are the mineral planning authority for the Island. Mineral related development, particularly extraction, may only take place if you have planning permission.

Other permits and approvals may be required from organisations like 

We will use the most up-to-date policies to determine mineral planning applications.

These currently are

  • Island Plan Core Strategy
  • National Planning Policy Framework - GOV.UK
  • Monitoring of mineral development

    Local Aggregate Assessment (LAA)

    Paragraph 213 of the National Planning Policy Framework places a requirement on all mineral planning authorities to produce an annual LAA.  The LAA is an annual assessment of the demand for and the supply of aggregates within a mineral planning authority’s area.  

    View the current assessment

    View previous Isle of Wight Local Aggregate Assessments 


    South East England Aggregates Monitoring Report

    We are a member of the South East England Aggregate Working Party (SEEAWP). It meets quarterly to discuss issues to do with land-won and marine won aggregates. The aggregate working parties publish annual monitoring reports. These show the balance of the supply of aggregates in terms of landbanks. The reports allow industry and mineral planning authorities to agree on the basic facts of aggregates supply. Particularly about reserves and landbanks.

    The Aggregates Monitoring (AM) report for the South East has been prepared from returns made by quarry and wharf operators to Mineral Planning Authorities (MPAs) or the Aggregate Working Party (AWP) Secretary.

    The report includes information on recycling and alternative materials data. It also includes a record of how applications have been determined, withdrawn or remain undetermined at the end of each calendar year. Where possible, trend comparisons are made with previous AM reports.