A LOCAL quarry is set to be extended to allow more than a million tonnes of extra sand and gravel to be extracted.
Members of Staffordshire County Council’s planning committee unanimously approved the proposed extension at Hints Quarry, which will involve an extra 4.2 hectares of mainly farmland.
The Watling Street site includes two disused cottages which are set to be demolished along with a number of outbuildings.
The route of the HS2 railway line is located to the west of the quarry, which is jointly operated by Tarmac and Cemex.
A report to the committee said:
“Sand and gravel would continue to be transported to the plant site using the already established haul road and field conveyor network. It is proposed that the mineral would be worked in the same manner as existing, using similar plant and equipment, at the same rates of activity as existing.
“The applicant confirms that there are no proposals to change the current intensity of operations. This means that there would be no change to existing operational practices, such as the number of lorry movements or working hours.
“The excavations would be restored in accordance with current methods – which involve placing the ‘rock sand’ overburden into the quarry. Wherever possible, the backfilling operation would take place so that there is immediate placement of the rock sand to achieve progressive restoration.
“The proposed restored landform would need to be in keeping with the surrounding landscape.”
Cllr Neil Parton asked how far along the restoration to other parts of the site had progressed and whether the land would be returned to farming use.
Planning officer Matt Griffin responded:
“The final completion will be further into the future because there is more mineral to be worked out if this is to go ahead.
“Bear in mind there is a progressive restoration, so some parts of the quarry are already restored.
“The method of extraction allows for progressive backfilling, so once the rock sand is put in place they can put the soil back and those parts of the site can be restored.
“In terms of farming, it’s an important part of the proposals that agricultural land is restored and there’s a legacy of returning the farmland.”
Cllr Jack Rose said:
“The applicant has stated it is being used for HS2 progress, but with much of HS2 being abandoned, I was wondering how the communication between HS2 Ltd and the applicant has been in terms of how much more aggregate and resources they are going to need? Or is it likely the resources are going to another business rather than HS2?”
Mr Griffin replied:
“In terms of market for the material, Tarmac have contracts very specifically on HS2 construction that is under way. They’re utilising another quarry up the A38 to fulfil that demand.
“Hints is there in the background to cover for production that is required, but then Hints is also there to cover for the markets that Alrewas can’t fulfil because it is being utilised for HS2.
“The location of Hints is ideal for the West Midlands conurbation – there is a big market for sand and gravel within the county, but also the conurbation can’t provide its construction aggregate so it fulfils markets that are there in terms of concrete and mortar.”
Funny how they approve digging up the Earth and leaving an eyesore for rest of time, but they don’t approve new offices in Alrewas, or someone putting a modest extension on their home.
“Richard” – presumably you do appreciate that this approval has been issued by Staffs County Council which is the Planning Authority for Minerals (and Waste) BUT “they” are NOT the Authority for other planning considerations, so the issues referred to at Alrewas or modest extensions are not relevant..