Second quarry restoration approved

CONSTRUCTION partner Mick George Ltd has been granted planning permission for a second quarry restoration.

After completeing the initial stages of the Ellistown clay pit site restoration, which Ibstock Brick operates to extract clay for brick production, Mick George Ltd has now been granted permission by Leicestershire County Council for a second restoration project involving the nearby Leicester quarry.

The original plans for clay extraction at the site would have created a large void filled with deep water. But after an agreement with Ibstock Brick to submit a revised application, Mick

George Ltd will now be restoring the site to its former levels and previous use.

The new proposal will see Mick George Ltd infill the quarry using inert soils, enabling the land to be restored close to pre-development ground levels, while contributing towards wider landscape improvement objectives and policies set-out by the county council and The National Forest.

The intention is to start importing suitable materials at the south west of the site, progressively working northwards towards Leicester Road, reinstating land sequentially ahead of latter phases in the east and south of the site.

A series of ecological and conservation benefits are set to be gained through the project, most notably the introduction of grassland, broadleaf woodlands, wetlands and species rich hedgerows, forming valuable habitat corridors, consistent with local biodiversity plans and National Forest strategic objectives.

The announcement signifies a landmark 20th quarry operated by the Mick George Group.

The business has extensive experience fulfilling restoration programmes in live working environments, ensuring little disruption to the local community.

This has been particularly evident at the nearby Ellistown quarry, where the company has managed to considerably reduce the forecast, first phase of infill from seven years to within four years – another project in collaboration with Ibstock Brick Ltd.