There could be good news for the English stone industry regarding planning at the 'England's Heritage in Stone' conference in the Museum of York this month (15-17 March).

Speakers at the three-day conference include Brian Marker from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) and Alan Thompson from Capita Symonds, whose report for the ODPM last year recommended that dimensional stone quarries should be distinguished from aggregates quarries by planning authorities.

The consultation period for Minerals Policy Statement One (MPS1) came to an end at the beginning of this month and when it is published it is expected to make distinctions between the small scale production of dimensional stone quarries and the massive quarries operated by the aggregates industry.

That, however, is only one aspect of the three-day conference, which will include a wide-ranging discussion on the stone industry in England with a view to establishing an English Stone Forum similar to the Scottish Stone Liaison Group and the Welsh Stone Forum, both of which were formed after similar conferences to this one.

'England's Heritage in Stone' is aimed at a wide audience, including planners, specifiers, architects, suppliers and trainers, as well as the stone industry. It is intended to promote the use of indigenous English stone as well as lead to the development of the Forum. And it will count towards CPD.

The event is supported by English Heritage, English Nature, Stone Federation Great Britain and the British Geological Survey and is being organised by the Geoconservation Commission of The Geological Society. Speakers represent a wide range of interests, including the organisations supporting the event.

If you are interested in being involved in the English Stone Forum contact The Geological Society, Burlington House, London W1J 0BG. Tel: 020 7434 9944.