RTPI/MPA Minerals Conference 2013

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Since the publication of the NPPF last year the Coalition Government has continued to promote a pro- growth agenda for the economy culminating in the publication of the Growth and Infrastructure Bill in October 2012.  A key objective of The Government's on-going growth agenda is the streamlining of the planning system and a number of procedural and legislative changes to the planning system have been implemented in the last twelve months together with the commencement of a review of existing planning guidance under Lord Taylor.

This year's annual RTPI/MPA conference looks at what the initiatives proposed by the Government to streamline the planning and associated permitting systems will mean for minerals planning and considers the implications of these changes for those who are charged with securing the supply of minerals to society.      

Benefits of attending

This conference will help you:

1. Understand how the Growth and Infrastructure Bill and the Governments initiatives for streamlining the planning system affects minerals planning
2. Keep in step with CLG work on delivering the Coalition Government's growth agenda, reducing red tape and the procedural changes that are in progress to streamline the system
3. Understand the implications for minerals planning of the on-going review of Planning Guidance by Lord Taylor
4. Share ideas and experiences of the minerals industry and the Environment Agency on how to streamline the minerals planning and permitting systems, including an opportunity to take part in a panel debate
5. Keep updated on English Heritage's position on historic building and archaeology relevant to the UK's minerals industry
6. Appreciate the work of the Nature after Mineral initiative
7. Gain knowledge of recent legal cases relevant to minerals and have the opportunity to take part in an 'open mic' question time forum.

Who should attend?

This conference is aimed at:

• Minerals planners in local, regional and central Government
• The minerals industry - estates surveyors, planners and managers
• Countryside related agencies
• Environmental bodies
• NGO's

Conference programme

9.15 Registration and coffee

10.00 Welcome and introduction by the morning chair

Peter Geraghty, RTPI President 2013

10.10 Keynote speech: Government update

Nick Boles MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Planning

10.25 Questions and discussion

10.40 RTPI outlook: Streamlining planning guidance

• Latest reforms affecting planning and minerals planning.
• Lord Taylor's review of planning guidance
• Projects and initiatives including the Map 4 England project

Trudi Elliott CBE, Chief Executive, Royal Town Planning Institute

11.00 Questions and discussion

11.10 Coffee and networking

11.40 MPA outlook

• The economic outlook
• Current planning consultations (extension of the EIA Regulations, the Growth and Infrastructure Bill, extension of the NSI planning approval route)
• The MPA perspective on the reduction of red tape/streamlining the consenting system
• Where we are following the introduction of the NPPF

Hugh Lucas, Chairman of the Mineral Products Association Environment and Mineral Planning Committee and Head of Planning and Estates, Aggregate Industries

12.00 The agency view

• EA's approach to Minerals Planning, Permitting, Restoration
• Flood Risk, Groundwater Protection, Inert Waste in quarry restoration Water
• Framework Directive

Jim Davies, Principal Planning Officer - Midlands, Environment Agency

12.20 Panel discussion

12.40 Morning chair's round-up

Peter Geraghty, RTPI President 2013

12.50 Lunch

2.00 Welcome and introduction by the afternoon Chair

Nigel Jackson, Chief Executive, Mineral Products Association

2.10 Case law update

• Have we seen the high water mark of EIA challenges? 
• Sustainability and environmental roles - are we any the wiser? 
• 5 things you didn't know you needed to know

Jerry Cahill QC  and Richard Kimblin, No 5 Chambers 

2.40 Legal question time

3.00 Purpose, position and priorities towards protection and prosperity - English Heritage and mineral extraction

• English Heritage's locus and duties with regard to planning and historic environment regulation
• how these duties are discharged with mineral extraction compared with other forms of development
• real-world experience and practice

Jon Humble, Inspector of Ancient Monuments & Senior National Minerals Adviser, English Heritage

3.30 Positive planning for biodiversity

• Landscape scale delivery
• Cross boundary working
• England Biodiversity Strategy, and contributing to 2020 targets
• Biodiversity and other related benefits

Carolyn Jewell, Programme Manager, Nature After Minerals

4.00 Panel discussion

4.20 Conclusion by the afternoon Chair

Nigel Jackson, Chief Executive, Mineral Products Association

4.30 Close

Download the brochure here