Last month Mineral Planning's first focus group meeting brought together leading lights in the minerals community. Some valuable pointers on the way ahead for the industry-were exchanged during the enjoyably frank discussions and future issues of Mineral Planning will address many of the questions and subjects raised in more detail. While planning applications are holding up well in both minerals and waste, especially in strategic investment, uncertainty over the economy situation is compounded by wider issues.The rigidity in the planning process has ushered in even more uncertainty. In particular, the participants felt that the approach adopted by the increasingly influential Environment Agency is less contextual and more of a simplistic "box-ticking" exercise.
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