More than 4,000 residents have had their say on the future of minerals development in Essex.
Essex County Council is required by law to publish a Minerals Local Plan. This provides planning policies for minerals development in Essex and identifies future sites for mineral extraction, or quarrying.
In 2020, the council started a review of the Essex Minerals Local Plan to ensure it is up to date and fit for the future.
A decision was made to extend the Plan end date to 2040, meaning new sites are needed to meet the demand for materials.
A public consultation examining both the revised plan and the sites submitted for inclusion closed on Tuesday 9 April.
The consultation was extended due to significant public interest, with more than 4,000 responses being received.
These are now being published online, after which they will be assessed.
Following this, amendments to the Replacement Essex Minerals Local Plan will be drafted and additional detailed technical assessment of sites will take place.
The amended plan will then be published alongside a draft list of Preferred Site allocations.
Councillor Lee Scott, Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Planning a Growing Economy, said: “There has been significant interest in the Replacement Essex Minerals Local Plan from across the county and I would thank residents for their engagement during the consultation process.
“It will take some time to publish and assess the thousands of responses we have received. However, public feedback will be taken into account as the revised proposals are finalised.
“No decisions have been made at this stage and residents will have further chances to provide feedback on the revised proposals in due course.”
The amended plan will be subject to a further consultation, expected to take place this winter.
