Minerals and infrastructure demands prompt county council planning expansion

Derbyshire County Council is expanding its planning service to meet rising workloads from areas such as quarrying and infrastructure. 

Head of planning services Rob Murfin told Planning: “Workloads are rising across the board and we have to facilitate growth by providing infrastructure but making sure that growth doesn't put too much pressure on existing schools, doctors surgeries and other services.

"As well as development and infrastructure, we are the largest producer of minerals of any county council, and have some of the largest quarries in western Europe.

"We need to balance economic benefit with protecting beautiful landscapes. The Peak District is the second most visited national park in the world and yet we have mineral sites next to the boundary such as Tunstead and Old Moor quarries” (pictured).

The council is looking to expand its planning service of around 20 planners by recruiting one more planner.

Murfin said: “The person will help with work on a variety of strategic policy, infrastructure and development management projects – it's important they get a breadth experience.

“They will play a supporting role in liaising with the city, district and borough councils, the Peak District National Park Authority and other service providers and developers.”

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