This dataset provides digital spatial information on the extent of planning permissions for the extraction of minerals across Great Britain. The dataset shows the extent of all known extant and non-extant mineral planning permissions, irrespective of their current planning or operational status. Permissions may include active, inactive and restored mineral workings and, in some cases, permitted but unworked mineral deposits. Planning permission areas represent locations where a commercial decision to extract mineral has been made and where a successful application has been granted through the provisions of Town and Country Planning legislation. The permitted mineral reserve may have been depleted to varying degrees. The dataset was compiled by the British Geological Survey (BGS) using data supplied primarily by Mineral Planning Authorities and supplemented by other available sources. Data were collected at different times between 1997 and 2007. As a result, the dataset represents a historic snapshot of planning permissions and is not fully complete or current. Where available, information on the planning status of permissions (for example valid or expired) is stored in the underlying database and may be accessed through attribute queries. Current planning permission data should be obtained directly from the relevant Mineral Planning Authority. This dataset is intended to support regional and national-scale understanding of the distribution of mineral planning permissions and should not be used as a definitive or current record of permitted mineral extraction.
