Quarry tax welcomed

21 March 2000

The national charity, the Council for National Parks (CNP)1 has welcomed the Government’s decision to introduce a tax on quarrying2. The announcement came as part of today’s budget.

"Quarrying is literally eating away at some of our most popular and beautiful landscapes", said CNP’s Ruth Chambers. "The main problems are the level of quarrying - with no incentives for more prudent use - and the heavy burden on environmentally sensitive places, like National Parks3."

CNP believes a tax is necessary to address two things:

  •  the historic legacy of large-sale quarrying in beautiful National Park landscapes4 which many millions of people come to enjoy; and 
  •  the level of supply of crushed rock and sand and gravel for general construction.
     

Notes to editors

1.  The Council for National Parks is the national charity that works to protect and enhance the National Parks of England and Wales and areas that merit National Park status, and promote understanding and quiet enjoyment of them for the benefit of all.
2.  The new aggregates levy will be introduced in April 2002 with legislation in the 2001 Finance Bill.
3.  In 1998, the Quarry Products Association (which includes the major minerals companies) published a four-point plan for National Parks, which commits the industry to improving its environmental performance in National Parks and this is incorporated in a "new deal" package which proposes a range of environmental measures.
4.  There are eleven National Parks in England and Wales: - Snowdonia, Brecon Beacons, Pembrokeshire Coast, Exmoor, Dartmoor, Peak District, Yorkshire Dales, Lake District, Northumberland, North York Moors, the Broads.
5.  National Parks supply as high a proportion of construction aggregates as the rest of England and Wales, despite greater protection


For press queries please contact:
Ruth Chambers, Head of Policy on
020 7924 4077 ext. 222