Minerals Planning in the North East

Having initially trained as a geologist and with a post-graduate qualification in environmental planning, Nick has worked in minerals planning for 40 years.  With management experience in local authority, consultancy and the minerals industry, Nick has extensive knowledge of EIAs, development management, policy formulation and local plan examinations.  He has been with the Mineral Products Association for the past 7 years with a broad portfolio covering industrial minerals, aggregates and MPA Wales.  Nick is Director of the Silica and Moulding Sands Association (SAMSA) and sits on the Board of EUROSIL.

Rob’s role includes Chief Planner at Northumberland County Council, one England’s largest single tier authorities. Previously positions have included Chief Planner at Sheffield City Council and at Derbyshire County Council. Rob is a former director of the Planning Officers Society, sat on the Policy Board of the Town & Country Planning Association and conducts LPA improvement support programmes for the Planning Advisory Service. He has a long history of involvement local, strategic,  economic and environmental planning. He has contributed to the development of planning & environmental policy, legislation and practice in England, Scotland, regional government and in Germany.

After studying Surveying for Resource Development ,I began my career as a Graduate Trainee at Tarmac Southern in 1989 .I now have 35 years experience of mineral estate management and mineral planning .I became a Chartered Mineral Surveyor in 1991 .

I joined Evered Bardon in 1993 which ultimately became part of Aggregate Industries in 1997 following the merger of Camas and Bardon .I have dealt with quarrying and ancillary mineral processing plant sites in England ,Scotland and Wales in addition to a quarry acquisition assignment in the United States .I'm currently Senior Estates Manager for Aggregate Industries UK Limited covering sites in the North of England and Wales .

Jonathan specialises in minerals and waste casework within the planning inspectorate, where he has been an Inspector for over 10 years. He started his career at Wiltshire Council in the minerals and waste policy team and also worked in consultancy before joining PINS. Jonathan undertakes a wide range of casework that includes S.78 Inquiries, local plan examinations and national infrastructure examinations. He retains a keen interest in minerals related work and has undertaken several minerals local plan examinations, including West Sussex, Norfolk and Northamptonshire.

Andrew Fraser-Urquhart KC (known universally as "AFU") practices in planning, environmental and compulsory purchase law. He specialises in Housing, Regeneration, Minerals, Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects, Energy, Waste, Renewables and all aspects of Compulsory Purchase.

Andrew is identified as a Leading Silk in Chambers and Partners and the Legal 500, He is described as "A well-prepared barrister who fights for his clients.  He has a very impressive brain" and is "a name to turn to for big planning inquiries."

Having occupied "a pre-eminent place at the junior bar", Andrew took silk in 2015 in a "richly deserved and popular appointment." Before taking silk, Andrew was recognised as a leading junior in the Legal 500, Chambers and Partners and Legal Experts.

As "an experienced counsel possessed of great style", he is described in the legal directories as "ambitious and hard-working [and] provides excellent, pragmatic advice" and is "a robust advocate" who has "great tactical awareness and the ability to highlight and concentrate on the main issues of a case".

Andrew is the consultant editor of Halsbury's Laws: "Mines, Minerals and Quarries", 5th and 6th editions and writes the Legal Comment column in Mineral Planning.
Andrew prides himself on his "approachable, modern style", flexibility and quality of service.  He is always happy to travel to clients' offices and to discuss cases informally before instruction.

About the Presenter Thomas Clifford is a Chartered Engineer and Geologist who has spent his professional career studying the relationship between geology, quarry design, rock mechanics and blast design. Thomas is well known in the extractive industry having started his career as a Geologist then Geotechnical Specialist at Aggregate Industries. Following his time at Aggregate Industries he joined one of the largest engineering consultancies in the world, Atkins, where he eventually headed up the UK Extractive Industries team and became involved in mineral planning, expert witness services, and consulting for Local Authorities. Over the last ten years Thomas has been involved in numerous major critical infrastructure and quarrying projects where blasting impact was a significant issue. These projects which have culminated in over several million pounds worth of research been undertaken to investigate the impact from blasting, that has significantly changed our understanding of blasting impact. In 2021 Thomas joined Ground Engineering Applied Research Services (GEARS) as a Technical Director and has since been largely working for Tarmac researching and implementing new blasting best practise.

Claire has worked in the ecology and nature conservation sector for over 20 years’ specialising in mammal ecology and protected species issues as well as practical conservation management for species and habitats.  She has worked on ecological impact assessments, Habitat Regulations Assessments and surveys for developments at all scales, including major housing, commercial and infrastructure development.

Claire is experienced at managing collaborative projects with other disciplines such as landscape architects, drainage and highway engineers to provide a holistic and robust approach to design planning.

Previously, Claire led the northern ecology team at a large multi-disciplinary consultancy. Prior to this she was Principal Ecologist and Team Leader for a Local Planning Authority for over 10 years where she led on local policy, local wildlife site criteria and the review of the authorities’ sites. She provided training and advice on Biodiversity Net Gain and was instrumental in setting up a coastal ranger service to protect internationally designated sites.