Formal warning issued over drainage at quarry
Landowner cautioned after Environment Agency study
A FORMAL warning has been issued after officials discovered that a quarry outside a village was being illegally drained.
The Environment Agency sent out the caution to the landowner of Sapcote quarry, after an inspection revealed the rate of water being drained was above the legal limit.
A meter has also been fitted at the site to monitor the water abstraction.
Further tests revealed that the quarry waters, thought to be hydrostatically linked to nearby Stoney Cove, are not polluted.
A spokesman for the Environment Agency said: “We are continuing to work as part of a multi-agency response to issues at Sapcote and Granitethorpe quarries.
“A formal warning letter has been issued to the landowner for exceeding the daily abstraction exemption limit for Sapcote quarry of 20 cubic metres, following an inspection in May.
“We can assure local residents our officers are monitoring the sites and are continuing to investigate the alleged importation and deposit of waste.”
Villagers in Sapcote and Stoney Stanton have long complained about the alleged draining of water and unauthorised dumping of materials at the two quarries.
Alberto Costa, MP for South Leicestershire, said: “I am very pleased with the good progress being made by a number of agencies in addressing local concerns about these two quarries, and their associated activities, in Sapcote. This has long been a matter of deep worry for my constituents.
“However, I do hope they will be reassured by the outcomes and subsequent actions following these meetings, which has resulted in firm action being taken by the Environment Agency.”
The landowner of the quarries was previously the subject of enforcement notices after a hedgerow was illegally removed.
Leicestershire County Council also threatened legal action over unauthorised dumping in 2016.
Mr Costa has worked with senior officials from the Environment Agency, Blaby District Council and Leicestershire County Council to discuss residents’ worries about the nature spots.
Councillor Maggie Wright is a Blaby district and Leicestershire county councillor for Sapcote.
She said: “These meetings have been very helpful in bringing about positive outcomes and providing a greater degree of transparency and clearer communication for local residents, who I know are very concerned about the activities taking place at these quarry sites.
“It is very good to know there are no pollutants or contaminants in the waters there and I welcome the ongoing scrutiny and discussion of these sites.”
Mr Costa said: “Both Granitethorpe and Sapcote quarries are natural, picturesque sites that are crucial to the local ecosystem, hence why it is so important we do all we can to protect them.
“I am immensely grateful to the Environment Agency which has acted swiftly and firmly in this case.
“I should like to reassure constituents that my office will continue working closely with the responsible agencies to ensure activities at these sites are closely monitored moving forward.”
Environmental incidents can be reported to the Environment Agency on 0800 807060.