Sand and gravel quarry could expand in size
OPERATORS of the sand and gravel quarry at Cadeby want to extend the workings.
Tarmac Trading have filed a planning application to carry out further extraction with progressive restoration to agriculture, grassland and a pond.
The application has gone to both Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council and Leicestershire County Council, the body which deals with mineral developments.
It means workings will creep closer to nearby properties off Brascote Lane. Tarmac say suitable measures will be put in place to minimise dust and noise.
Currently the 9.8 hectare site, northwest of the existing plant, is arable fields, bordered by trees and hedgerow.
If permission is given to the new application the top soil will be stripped off and stored, with the underlying sand and gravel dug out.
Extraction is planned in stage with the land filled in and returned to agricultural use as material is removed. Trees and hedges will be replanted and a watercourse created.
A submission from the building materials company states: “It is estimated that the site would provide for about 168,000 tonnes of sand and gravel and would be worked at a rate of 140,000 tonnes per year.
“Based on anticipated rates of working, it is expected that the site would be worked and returned to a combination of agriculture, grassland and a pond within two years of the commencement of oper- ations. The site would be worked in a total of four phases. Extraction of sand and gravel would commence in the northwest of the site and progress southeastwards towards the plant site. Subject to the receipt of planning permission, it is proposed that extraction operations would commence by summer 2018.”
Current planning permission for Cadeby Quarry contains conditions which restrict operations to certain hours - Monday to Friday, 7am to 6pm; and Saturdays, 7am to 2pm - sets noise limits and demands a noise monitoring scheme.
While the new works will bring extraction operations and overburden placement closer to residential properties, predicted noise levels are expected to remain within guidelines.
Control measures to contain any dust issues are also planned with Tarmac saying “..the site can be operated with minimal impact on nearby boundary locations.”
A permanent diversion of a footpath will be required as its route conflicts with the extraction location and later creation of a pond.
Some 180m of footpath will be diverted with the revised route snaking around the eastern and southern margins of the site, extending it by around 70m. A formal application to divert the footpath is being made parallel to the planning application.
A bridleway will also be affected with HGVs crossing it just north of the plant site, however, Tarmac suggest given the limited number of lorry movements no safety issues would arise.