Minerals and Waste Safeguarding

Mineral resources and waste infrastructure are essential to support a modern economy.

It is important they are protected from other forms of development to avoid unnecessary sterilisation or operating difficulties. This policy of protection is known as minerals and waste safeguarding.

Safeguarding is a material planning consideration but does not rule out alternative development. Whether planning permission should be granted or not is a decision for the borough or district council, in consultation with the Mineral & Waste Planning Authority, and in the light of relevant policies.

Minerals safeguarding

Minerals safeguarding is supported by the Surrey Minerals Plan 2011 Core Strategy (Policy MC6), the National Planning Policy Framework (Paras 143 and 144) and National Planning Policy Guidance (Para 003).

In Surrey it applies to the following sites and areas:

  • Mineral Safeguarding Areas (MSAs) covering known deposits of minerals.
  • Existing or proposed mineral sites, aggregates rail depots, and aggregate recycling facilities.

Minerals safeguarding standing advice note

The minerals safeguarding standing advice note relates to proposed development that is within or adjoins a Minerals Safeguarded Area (MSA) and, if approved, has the potential to sterilise important mineral resources. The standing advice note was updated in July 2020.

The Minerals Safeguarding Standing Advice Note (PDF) is available for download in the list of files below.

Waste safeguarding

Waste safeguarding is supported by the Surrey Waste Local Plan 2019-2033 (Policy 7) and the National Planning Policy for Waste (Para 8).

In Surrey it applies to the following sites and areas:

  • All existing waste management sites.
  • Sites allocated in the Surrey Waste Local Plan 2019-2033.
  • Site with permission for waste use but which have not been developed.

The Minerals and Waste Consultation Protocol

The Minerals and Waste Consultation Protocol published in April 2022 sets out how Surrey County Council and the District and Borough councils shall work together constructively to ensure minerals and waste issues are taken into account during the preparation of local plans and in the determination of planning applications.

If you have any queries relating to this or would like a PDF copy of the protocol, please contact the team using the details below.

Safeguarded sites and areas

For the location of safeguarded sites and areas see our online map viewer.

Guidance is available to download below on how to use the online map viewer.

Please note: the site boundaries and site records provided by Surrey County Council Minerals and Waste Planning Policy Team will have different levels of confidence depending on the information available to us.

While we aim to provide accurate and up to date information, we cannot accept any liability or responsibility should you rely on the information provided and ultimately find it to have been incorrect.

If you see anything wrong please contact the Minerals and Waste Planning Policy Team using the contact details below:

  • Email: mdf@surreycc.gov.uk
  • Post: Surrey County Council, Quadrant Court, 35 Guildford Road, Woking, Surrey, GU22 7QQ
  • Phone: 03456 009 009

Files available to download