Valid reasons for objecting to Planning Applications: In the context of minerals planning in England, "need" [more information] refers to the requirement for minerals to support economic and social activities while balancing environmental and community impacts. This concept encompasses several key aspects and when raising objections to an English minerals planning application, the following material planning reasons are often considered valid. (Hover over list items for references to the the relevant parts of the Nation Planning Policy Framework (NPPF))

Environmental Impact (NPPF Paragraphs 158, 165 and 174-180):

Pollution: Potential for air, water, and soil pollution from mining activities.
Biodiversity: Negative effects on local wildlife, habitats, and protected species.
Landscape: Adverse changes to the landscape and visual impact on the countryside.
Climate Change: Contribution to greenhouse gas emissions and overall carbon footprint.
Flood Risk: The development will be safe, will not increase flood risk elsewhere, and, where possible, will reduce flood risk overall.

Public Health and Safety (NPPF Paragraphs 92-103 and 185):

Noise and Dust: Impact on local residents from noise, dust, and vibration caused by extraction and transportation.
Water Contamination: Risk of contaminating local water supplies and affecting water quality.

Traffic and Transportation (NPPF Paragraphs 104-113):

Road Safety: Increased heavy vehicle traffic leading to road safety concerns.
Infrastructure: Strain on local transport infrastructure, including wear and tear on roads.

Amenity Impact (NPPF Paragraphs 119-127):

Quality of Life: Detriment to the quality of life for local communities due to noise, dust, and loss of visual amenity.
Recreational Spaces: Loss of or damage to recreational areas and public rights of way.

Economic and Social Considerations (NPPF Paragraphs 7-12 and 81-85):

Local Economy: Negative impact on local businesses and tourism
Employment: Insufficient evidence of long-term employment benefits for the local community.

Planning Policy Compliance (NPPF Paragraphs 8, 15-47):

Local Plan: Non-compliance with local development plans and policies.
National Policy: Conflict with national planning policies and guidelines.
Sustainability: Lack of sustainable practices and failure to demonstrate long-term environmental stewardship.

Historical and Cultural Impact (NPPF Paragraphs 189-208):

Heritage Sites: Potential harm to nearby heritage sites, listed buildings, and archaeological sites.
Cultural Landscape: Impact on the cultural landscape and historical character of the area.

Cumulative Impact (NPPF Paragraphs 11, 32, 179 and 185):

Multiple Projects: Consideration of the cumulative impact of the proposed development alongside other existing or proposed developments in the area.

Each of these reasons must be substantiated with evidence and aligned with planning policies and regulations to be considered valid by planning authorities.