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.

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.

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 .

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.