The Crown Estate and The British Marine Aggregate Producers Association (BMAPA) have published their 24 th annual Area Involved report, detailing changes in the area of seabed licensed and dredged for marine aggregates during 2021.
Key information from the report includes:
Nick Everington , Marine Minerals Portfolio Manager for The Crown Estate, said: “As manager of the seabed around England, Wales and Northern Ireland, we work in partnership with industry; to help support the sustainable use of sand and gravel resources.”
“The annual ‘Area Involved’ report is an integral part of this, providing insight and data to improve our understanding and management of the marine environment over the long term. Our 24 th annual report reflects the ongoing commitment from both The Crown Estate and industry to this important initiative.”
Marine aggregates constitute a crucial component in the supply of building materials to support the development of the UK’s built environment. They currently supply around 25% of the sand and gravel used across England and Wales.
In London, they meet around 50% of primary aggregate demand. They are also critical in developing climate change resilience for our coastal communities.