A government planning White Paper with proposals that include making it easier to obtain minerals planning permissions in the light of continually falling consented reserves was published last month (May).

Speaking at the Quarry Products Association\'s \'Show-case\' (an award scheme recognising environmentally beneficial restorations of quarries) on 17 May, the minister for diversity & environment at Defra, Barry Gardiner, said: "Look out for the Planning White Paper which is designed to get planning permissions passed. It\'s a sign of the government\'s recognition of the problems and our determination to tackle them."

Four days later the White Paper, Planning for a Sustainable Future, was published. It proposes reforms that focus on economic rather than environmental benefits. The 220-page paper can be downloaded from the website below.