The landscape for cement procurement and development is facing tectonic shifts, with unprecedented public funding and demand for cleaner construction materials across the world. This rapid shift toward low-carbon materials will drive the next 40 years of cement production. Companies who fail to scale up low-carbon cement alternatives risk losing market share, creating a risk for investors, our health, and our climate.
Straitgate Action Group
In 1965, Straitgate Farm near Ottery St Mary in Devon was bought by ECC Quarries in the hope it would yield 20 million tonnes of sand & gravel. In 2001, Straitgate Action Group was formed to oppose the development and its potential harm to water supplies, ancient wetland habitats, protected species and much more. In 2023, Aggregate Industries – owned by Swiss giant Holcim – was finally granted permission to quarry just 1 million tonnes following a public inquiry. This blog records the story.
Wednesday 30 October 2024
US campaign group demands concrete change in the construction industry
Wednesday 16 October 2024
Lower Hare Farm, Whitestone: Judicial Review – Pre-commencement Conditions
The DCC seem to have entered wholeheartedly into the spirit of the NPPF and determined that “7 phases” has the same meaning as “3 phases”, that working from West to East is exactly the same as working from North to South, that “inert soils” are exactly the same as “engineering fill” also known as quarrying, mining, demolition and construction waste, that a gradient of “1 in 5” is exactly the same as a gradient of “1 in 10”, etc, etc.
the decision to grant approval to carry out further development not authorised in the original permission by way of discharge of condition was ultra vires;
the Council erred in law by asking whether submitted details were ‘acceptable’ rather than considering whether the submitted details met the requirements of the conditions;
4.4 In the light of this claim for judicial review, the following steps have been implemented within the Council’s Planning team:• training has been provided to the County Council’s planning officers on procedural requirements for the discharging of planning conditions; and• the relevant officer’s report template has been amended to require clearer consideration of the requirements of the EIA Regulations and the need to consider whether the submitted details meet the requirements of the condition.
Wednesday 9 October 2024
Aggregate Industries’ Straitgate update for September
There is nothing new to report this month but we continue to work on the preparation of the remaining schemes required by condition.
Wednesday 25 September 2024
‘Dust from lorries has damaged my eyesight’
We have taken a number of proactive measures to help alleviate the problem.
'Dust from lorries has damaged my eyesight' https://t.co/PAZtTjEhbN
— BBC East (@BBCLookEast) September 23, 2024
An employee who has quit his job has blamed health problems caused by an ongoing issue of lorries kicking up dust and debris.Dave Brown, who was described as "part of the furniture" at New Again Auto Reconditioning in Chelmsford, said his eyesight was "gradually going".Gary Wray, owner of the car repair firm in New Street, uploaded a YouTube video to his website, Dusty Chelmsford, pinning the blame on Aggregate Industries, whose lorries are "regularly overloaded with no covers".The construction supplies company, which pledged to address the problem last year, said: "[We have] invested in extensive improvements at our Chelmsford site."It added that Chelmsford City Council’s environmental health team had visited the site and welcomed the changes that had been made. But it acknowledged there was "still room for improvement".Dave Brown said he had been suffering eye irritation caused by the dust.
The dust from the Aggregate Industries depot is so thick, it can be seen on this satellite image, discolouring trees and bushes, south and west of the depot. The smudge across the map extends to reach two schools in the area, and that is just the pollution that can be seen from space!
If you have inside information about Aggregate Industries, Holcim Group, or any other information as to why government agencies seem so reluctant to do their jobs, you can contact us in complete confidence.
One year later, and still no significant improvement. Local businesses continue to suffer due to @Aggregateuk It’s frustrating to see the same issues persist into 2024. #SupportLocal #BusinessChallenges #TimeForChange pic.twitter.com/YjDVs4XS7Y
— Dusty Chelmsford (@DustyChelmsford) September 9, 2024
Friday 20 September 2024
Venn Ottery bridleway – a community benefit left by AI – still closed
In January, bridleway 37 on Venn Ottery Hill had a collapse in the central section of the route caused by water run-off from the old quarry site. The resulting huge void has necessitated closure as the route is now not in a safe condition. The closure order means that the bridleway cannot be used until at least the end of August.
We shall be putting back a lot more than we're taking away.
Aggregate Industries’ parent: the cement company that paid millions to ISIS
For the @gdnlongread, I wrote about the French cement giant Lafarge, which decided, back in 2013-14, that it was a good idea to pay ISIS millions of dollars so that it could keep making and selling cement in Syria.
— Samanth Subramanian (@samanth_s) September 17, 2024
You read that right.
A short 🧵:https://t.co/HEOiyLmBQu
If an ongoing criminal case in France convicts Lafarge of crimes against humanity, it would be huge: the first time a firm anywhere has been found guilty on this front.
— Samanth Subramanian (@samanth_s) September 17, 2024
The factory is no more; it was bombed by Turkey earlier this year. [6] pic.twitter.com/PInBiOWvP9
Mineral supply ‘approaching cliff edge’ – warns MPA, yet again
... for more than a decade the rate of consumption – mainly for construction – has not been matched by the rate of approval for new planning consents for quarrying, due to a ‘broken’ mineral planning system that often allows local interests to be prioritised above national need.Between 2014 and 2023, for every 100 tonnes of sand and gravel used in Great Britain, an average of 61 tonnes of new permissions have been granted.
Our survey shows the availability of essential minerals is fast approaching a cliff-edge.
RESERVE JUDGEMENT: The Govt needs to take urgent action to address diminishing permitted reserves of domestically-sourced minerals that are essential for #housing and #infrastructure - new report.
— Mineral Products Association (@MineralProduct) September 11, 2024
Read the full story: https://t.co/ji8p2Cn4Ph@RTPIPlanners #essentialmaterials pic.twitter.com/PaT8fp5F1X
A steady and adequate supply of aggregates needs to be planned, monitored and managed, all of which require support and strong direction from central Government... Demand for land-won sand and gravel continues to outstrip the amount of new reserves being permitted, with the 10-year average replenishment rate decreasing to 53%.
The Mineral Products Association is calling on Government to increase its efforts to overcome inertia in the planning system, in order to ensure a steady and adequate supply of aggregates which are essential to the construction industry and the economy. Permitted reserves of sand and gravel are in serious decline and planning authorities are putting too much effort into reducing potential future supply rather than getting on with the business of adopting robust mineral plans. Average replenishment rates of aggregate reserves (i.e. the rates at which production is being replaced with new permissions) are continuing to decline. Only 43% of sand and gravel reserves have been replenished in the last 10 years to 2012...
Long term trends in replenishment rates show that long term average sand and gravel replenishment rates have not been at parity for at least 10 years… In 2010 crushed rock long term replenishment stood at 67% over 10 years, and for sand and gravel, 49%.
Aggregate Industries’ parent draws climate criticism
Holcim's $30 billion New York spinoff of its North American business has come under fire from an environmental group that said the major cement maker was doing too little to tackle climate change. https://t.co/pKUjZEt7hg https://t.co/pKUjZEt7hg
— Reuters Science News (@ReutersScience) September 19, 2024
The Swiss-based company has failed to cut direct emissions from its plants or spend enough to reduce materials or energy waste, said Industrious Labs, a U.S.-based environmental nonprofit.Industrious Labs, which is part of a campaign called Concrete Change to reduce the sector's environmental impact, gave Holcim a grade of "D" - the second-lowest rating - for its sustainability performance.It said the spinoff, due to take place in the first half of 2025, hides mounting costs and a failure to adapt to growing demand for cleaner cement."Markets are brutal and don't reward incumbents which are slow to respond to customer demand," Nachy Kanfer, a partner at Industrious Labs, told Reuters. "We see multiple net zero cement projects under way, and Holcim is being left behind."
Does @Holcim’s $30 billion North American spin-off account for its hidden liabilities?
— Concrete Change (@Concrete_Change) September 19, 2024
Holcim’s North American facilities have mounting pollution problems that the company is hoping to offload to investors. Don’t be left holding the bag! Learn more: https://t.co/J9ZPouiKop pic.twitter.com/wlRyS2oBbh
‘We’re still in the 1970s with cement’
‘We’re still in the 1970s with cement’: Norway plant to blaze carbon-free concrete trail https://t.co/uHTkdqGbin
— Guardian Environment (@guardianeco) August 12, 2024
Council set to defend Hatfield quarry refusal despite costs
Hertfordshire County Council has signalled its intent to defend its refusal to grant permission for a quarry on the site of the former Hatfield Aerodrome – despite a previous appeal costing it almost £150,000.Brett Aggregates lodged an appeal against the council’s refusal to grant planning permission for its latest application earlier this month.A 10-day Planning Inquiry has already been scheduled for November – where a Planning Inspector will review the decision issued by the council, in January.And that comes just three years after the county council defended its refusal of “substantially similar” plans for the same site at a previous inquiry.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service has now learned that costs incurred by the county council during that last inquiry, in November 2021, amounted to £147,421.84...
As Welwyn Hatfield’s Executive Member for Planning, I, along with the Joint Administration, am deeply disappointed by Hertfordshire County Council’s (HCC) decision to withdraw the reasons for refusal ahead of the upcoming planning inquiry into the proposed mineral quarry at the former Hatfield Aerodrome, citing prohibitive costs and a low chance of success defending the appeal.Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council has continued to strongly oppose the proposal, raising concerns about the detrimental impact on public amenity, inappropriate use of the greenbelt, increased risk of land contamination and traffic impacts.Since refusing planning permission for the quarry in October last year, HCC have failed to build a robust case in defence of its decision. By choosing to withdraw the reasons for refusal, HCC has effectively chosen not to defend its original decision, meaning the views of the community and wider public interest will not be represented at the inquiry.Ellenbrook Country Park is a cherished green open space for our community and an important site for nature conservation. HCC’s decision is a significant blow to those who have fought tirelessly for many years to protect the site.We now call upon the developer, ARC, to honour the original Section 106 agreement made in 2001, when permission was first granted for the Hatfield Aerodrome development. By completing the outstanding establishment works and supporting the Ellenbrook Trust we can seek to ensure that the remainder of the Country Park is preserved for public benefit.
Hertfordshire County Council has withdrawn its reasons for refusal ahead an inquiry into plans for a quarry on the site at Ellenbrook Country Park. https://t.co/1zXMfgmCRS 👇 Full story
— Welwyn Hatfield Times (@whtimes) September 24, 2024
Groups still have some hope that the county council’s refusal of the application could be upheld by the Planning Inquiry, scheduled to begin on November 19.However, they do not expect to fight against the proposals at the inquiry themselves, amid fears that they could end up liable for costs that could reach £1m...In refusing the application earlier this year the council’s development control committee pointed to eight reasons.These reasons included the impact on the Green Belt and on residential amenity, as well as well as biodiversity, public access, the highway and groundwater.But on Tuesday committee chair Cllr Terry Hone pointed to legal and planning advice that had suggested that these reasons would not ‘stand up’ at a planning inquiry as well as the risk of potential costs that the council could face at the inquiry.Although estimates of these costs were not made public at the meeting, the Local Democracy Reporting Service understands that they are between £500k and £1m.
Wednesday 4 September 2024
Aggregate Industries’ Straitgate update for August
Please find attached copies of the written scheme of [archaeological] investigation and the water monitoring scheme which have been submitted to Devon today for approval.Regarding the infiltration tests I am afraid I am still waiting for internal approval on this but I will let you know once we have a date confirmed.
Friday 2 August 2024
Almost 10 years on, AI is still struggling to produce a workable site access plan
3.3 The initial scheme was a no-dig construction method. However, this construction was considered unacceptable by DCC Highways Authority (response dated 02 Nov 2021) [CD6.33A] commenting that ‘because of the size and weight of the haulage vehicles that will use the junction and Birdcage Lane, “No Dig” solutions for new road construction are not an option for consideration’. Subsequently a metalled road became part of the amended access arrangements to effectively cope with on-going movement of heavy machinery and HGVs.3.4 The following arboricultural report (Chapter 3 – Landscape Soils and Arboricultural Report) [CD4.26A] acknowledges that the "no dig" construction will potentially interfere with the root protection areas of Trees F and G and moreover ‘it is likely they will be damaged by the development and need to be felled’. The report considers that trees could survive the works, if the actual roots are deeper than the excavations / disturbance required. The mitigation provided is a watching brief by an Arboriculturist at the time of the works being carried out. This is outlined in ‘Detail Area, R22/L/3-3-005’ [CD4.63A] ‘to monitor the condition of trees F and G, and only remove them if necessary’. The proposal is to remove tree H...
6.2 The Appellant’s proposal does not adequately consider the significant impact upon the Notable trees F and G impacted as a result of works to the access. These trees are mature and of potential veteran status and should be re-categorised as A (high value) with the sub-category 3 (wildlife and/or cultural attributes). The buffers proposed by the Appellant through the RPAs are inadequate, particularly in the light of amendment of means of construction of the access road from ‘no dig’ to metalled, while the Appellant’s proposed mitigation of a ‘watching brief’ is insufficient to secure their protection and would not contribute or link to the wider ecological network or green infrastructure requirements.
Clearly, your proposal to carry out works in the highway is, as admitted in your own application documentation, likely to have a detrimental impact on the oak tree within the hedgerow known as "Tree H."…The issue, however, is whether Devon County Council as Highway Authority, in entering into a s.278 agreement with Aggregate Industries for works within the highway would knowingly be sanctioning works that would damage the property of a third party. It is clear that the size of vehicles involved in the application render a 'no dig' solution inappropriate for the depth of road construction that would be required. It is also clear that the Section 278 works for widening and construction of the carriageway are likely to result in damage to the tree and its potential demise. The tree in question is in the ownership of a third party and the highway authority is aware that he is opposed to any damage to the tree. He considers it to be in relatively good health, a view that is shared by the district council’s tree officer. In these circumstances the highway authority would not be in a position to enter in to a S278 agreement unless this matter is resolved. I would strongly suggest that you contact the owner of the hedgerow and tree and try to reach agreement before you proceed further with this application or come back to us with a proposal that might be acceptable which does not impact on third party assets or possessions.
Because of the size and weight of the haulage vehicles that will use the junction and Birdcage Lane, "No Dig" solutions for new road construction are not an option for consideration.
the winning and working of sand and gravel and all operations and uses of land authorised by this permission (save for any restoration and aftercare pursuant to conditions 51 and 53) shall cease not later than 10 years from the date of the implementation of this permission.
A scheme for the restoration of the haul route and the reinstatement of the hedgerow and the lane verges shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Mineral Planning Authority within one year of the completion of the physical restoration works to the site. The scheme shall be implemented within two years of its approval.
(1) It is the duty of a highway authority to provide in or by the side of a highway maintainable at the public expense by them which consists of or comprises a made-up carriageway adequate grass or other margins as part of the highway in any case where they consider the provision of margins necessary or desirable for the safety or accommodation of ridden horses and driven livestock; and a highway authority may light a margin provided by them under this section.
39. All existing trees, shrubs and hedgerows within the site and on its boundaries shall be retained and protected from damage during the process of extraction and subsequent restoration unless they are identified to be removed as part of the current phase or a succeeding phase of mineral working or restoration as set out in the approved plans.41. Outside the designated mineral working areas, trees shall not be felled, lopped or topped or have their roots damaged and hedgerows shall not be removed, thinned or cut back without the prior written consent of the Mineral Planning Authority…. All tree and shrub planting and other landscape works implemented pursuant to this permission shall be maintained and shall be protected from damage for the duration of the extraction and restoration works, and for ten years from the completion of restoration in any part of the site.
Aggregate Industries’ Straitgate update for July
Update this month is that, as you are aware, we have met with Devon highways regarding the highway improvements and are awaiting their view on a no dig highway construction.I am planning to submit next week the written scheme of investigation and the water monitoring scheme. As previously I will send you a copy of what we submit to Devon.Finally I am hoping to get sign off for the infiltration tests next week and if so these should take place in the second half of August and I will confirm the date when I know.
Sales of sand & gravel down 10% in second quarter, report MPA
PATCHY IMPROVEMENT: Our new figures show a modest overall improvement in the sales of construction #aggregates and #asphalt in Britain for the second quarter of 2024 but #concrete sales are still in the doldrums.
— Mineral Products Association (@MineralProduct) August 1, 2024
Read the full story:https://t.co/Oe18aDCUVs#essentialmaterials pic.twitter.com/TU1zS1tVSO
Thursday 18 July 2024
All change again at the top of Aggregate Industries
It is a very proud moment for me to be chosen to lead this fantastic business.
Saturday 13 July 2024
‘Time to get Britain building responsibly’, says Aggregate Industries
The Chancellor has wasted no time to get going, and we warmly welcome her decisions on housing and onshore wind, as well as hiring more planners. We look forward to such decisive action in other areas…We will be writing to key ministers in the coming days, stressing that planning reform for housing is just the first step, and that a similar approach of unblocking the planning system needs to be taken for mineral extraction, processing and freight. This is fundamental to growth, given the sector represents the largest material flow in the UK economy – over 1 million tonnes of raw materials and products every day. Mineral products make up a major part of the supply chain for housing and infrastructure, but our members face prohibitive constraints in the current planning and permitting system.
As a leading sustainable building materials supplier within the UK, we are fully on board with this initiative and ready to support key areas such as house building, infrastructure and onshore wind.So far in 2024, the UK market has seen a concerning slowdown in both infrastructure projects and house building, with 24% less construction starts in the first quarter of 2024 compared with the previous year, and construction output in the housing sector 19% below 2019 levels in February this year.etc etcWithout a doubt, the urgent steps which the Chancellor has laid out to kick-start economic growth are necessary and achievable, and we are poised ready for the challenge. However, taking house building as an example, the 1.5 million homes projected over the next five years will require vast amounts of materials.A conservative estimate of just the concrete required for these homes could be 37.5 million cubic metres. For perspective, this equates to more than nine times the capacity of Wembley Stadium and underscores the importance of recycled materials.This is why it’s crucial we create a new blueprint for the Great British built environment. Aggregate Industries have ambitious plans to help achieve net zero and are adopting a circular economy approach across everything they do.The construction industry must responsibly embrace the Chancellor’s national mission for growth but can only achieve this by building in a circular and wholly sustainable way. This goes far beyond just minimizing waste. Effectively, we need to build new cities from the ‘urban quarry’ of our old stock, thereby conserving the precious resources of our island nation.
Quarry companies – if at first they don’t succeed
Quarry plan subject to second inquiry https://t.co/c48pHsvm5F
— BBC Beds, Herts & Bucks (@BBC3CR) July 11, 2024
Cumbria coal mine unlawfully approved, government says
Sense at long last. How was it ever possible not to take account of the emissions from burning the coal ?!? It took a conspiracy of warped and disingenuous arguments to keep this crazy mine plan going for so long. Thank SLACC and FOE for fighting it. https://t.co/UTLbu9cPli
— Mike Berners-Lee (@MikeBernersLee) July 11, 2024
Sunday 7 July 2024
Anger as Aggregate Industries cuts hauliers’ rates
Hauliers working for Aggregate Industries (AI) have reacted with fury at a move by the company to chop its rates by 1.77% after blaming “extremely challenging” trading conditions.In a letter to its franchised hauliers, AI said they needed to accept “the reality of a weakening construction market” and so it was taking the difficult decision to cut its rates.It said fuel prices had decreased and therefore tipper haulage rates on standard work would be reduced by 0.52%.But AI also said it was cutting the rate by an additional 1.25% to reflect the current trading environment.“We will aggressively target utilisation improvements to help reduce the impact of the rate changes,” the letter said.“When the market dynamic shifts towards a more positive outlook, we will actively review this specific change.”However, hauliers have told Motor Transport that AI is doing the opposite of other companies in the sector: “I think they’re just greedy,” said one, who asked to remain anonymous.“Work has got quieter, but it only seems to be for them. Breedon have put their rates up by 3.91%.“People can’t run trucks with what they are asking us to do; like the spec on all our wagons.“You need one truck and two drivers and you need to work them day and night and that’s it, or it will never pay.”Another haulier, Roger Foster, said he’d pulled his trucks off AI work in the west of England when he received the letter: “I think it stinks,” he said. “There is work! I’ve heard they’ve got lorries coming from Manchester covering the work because we are not doing it.“No-one else is cutting the rate. I think there’s plenty of work out there.”An AI spokesman said: “We recently communicated to our franchised hauliers who serve our aggregates and asphalt business in respect of our standard rates.“We regularly review these rates against fluctuating fuel costs and adjust them accordingly.“As average fuel prices have dropped this quarter we will be adjusting all standard tipper haulage rates for all vehicle types on all standard work by -0.52% from 1 July 2024.”The spokesman added: “There are also very challenging market conditions across the industry currently and, as a business, we must constantly look at how we can remain competitive and drive efficiencies.“As part of this drive we have made the difficult decision to reduce standard rates by a further 1.25%.”
Tuesday 2 July 2024
Aggregate Industries’ Straitgate update for June
No change this month as no new schemes have been submitted.
Monday 24 June 2024
AI’s ponding problem at Hillhead – enough water to fill 15 Olympic pools!
Variation of conditions 2, 4, 6, 7, 12, 19, 22 and 25 of ROMP permission DCC/3655/2014... to vary the phasing; landform; drainage; and restoration of the site.
3.4.1 Houndaller Extension Area is currently facing surface water ponding issues in Phase 6 which is preventing completion of restoration of this section of the quarry. It is considered that a similar situation will occur once extraction operations cease in Phase 7. During 2023 and to date in 2024, in excess of 1m dept [sic] of water has collected over much of the Phase 6 area. The consented final restoration landform does not allow for effective drainage. Therefore, Aggregate Industries are proposing a long-term solution for surface water ponding issues on site.
5.8.8.1 ... ingress waters (rainfall runoff and groundwater seepage) will be captured by the perimeter drainage ditch and directed into Houndaller Plantation Pond, which will recharge the groundwater system in the BSP Aquifer.5.8.8.2 An infiltration rate of 50 m/d has been used in the calculations, which is the worst-case value for hydraulic conductivity derived from falling head tests (as used for calculating the worst-case ingress rates in the extraction area).5.8.8.3 The design storm would raise the water level (injection head) in the pond by 0.5 m.5.8.8.4 The mean surface area (through which the outflow occurs in the recharge / soakaway feature) is taken to be the sides of the pond when accommodating 0.5 m change in water level.5.8.8.5 The unlined flanks of the pond have a total length of 400 m and have an effective depth of 0.5 m; therefore, the total surface area for infiltration would be 200 m2.5.8.8.6 Based on Darcy’s Law, applying an injection head of 0.5 m and an infiltration rate of 50 m/d, and with the mean surface area for infiltration set at 200 m2, the soakaway rate (recharging the BSP Aquifer) equates to 5,000 m3/d.5.8.8.7 This is equivalent to circa 150% of the storm ingress ASV indicated at section 5.8.7.14. Therefore, it is concluded that Houndaller Plantation Pond has sufficient soakaway capacity for the design storm.
3.5.9.1 The hydraulic conductivity of the BSP has been determined from falling head tests undertaken in the area; and typically varies between 5.8x10-4 and 7.3x10-6 m/s, equivalent to 0.6-50 m/d.
Friday 21 June 2024
AI’s planning permission for the livestock crossing has expired – so what next?
No soil stripping in Phase 1 of the development hereby approved shall be undertaken unless the cattle crossing permitted by East Devon District Council permission ref. 20/2542/FUL has been fully implemented and brought into operation in accordance with the conditions of that permission.
109. Material to this appeal proposal is a planning permission granted by East Devon District Council (EDDC) for a new access to the B3174 Exeter Road to provide a livestock crossing incorporating holding pens. At the time of the Inquiry this permission had not been implemented. However, no cogent evidence was presented to suggest that it would not be implemented. From the details of this permission submitted to the Inquiry it is clear that this livestock crossing arrangement will enable a more direct, efficient and therefore safe movement of livestock when they need to cross the road which is of benefit to the livestock, farmer and other highway users.
I have written to Aggregate Industries drawing their attention to this issue and recommending that they address this issue through a further application.
1. The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission and shall be carried out as approved. (Reason - To comply with section 91 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 as amended by Section 51 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004).
tenancies under the 1986 Act continue to exist because they are difficult to terminate, and because tenants have powerful rights of succession, allowing their close relatives to succeed them.
Wednesday 12 June 2024
Tungsten West wins permit for Mineral Processing Facility, but loses CEO
This is the last of the key permits required to further progress the Project.
Tungsten West has received the final permit for the Mine Processing Facility. This momentous achievement is a key milestone for our company, completing the suite of permits needed to process tungsten, tin, and aggregates.
— Tungsten West Plc. (@TungstenWest) June 12, 2024
A huge thank you to all team members, past and present🙌
Monday 10 June 2024
Aggregate Industries – planning application vs reality
3.8.14 Immediately to the south of Straitgate farmhouse is a dilapidated orchard. The orchard is shown on Ordnance Survey Maps dating back to the late 19th century and could be considered as an important part of the setting of the grade II listed farmhouse.3.8.15 The Applicant recognises the value of the orchard both to biodiversity and to the heritage asset and proposes to restore the orchard to its former glory by propagation from existing apple trees, growing them on and replanting in a grid pattern. Cuttings will ensure local providence and the restored orchard will provide an attractive feature.
2.6 A specialist local nursery will be engaged to graft new trees for the orchard. This involves taking cutting of scion wood from trees in the orchard and grafting them onto the stems of suitable rootstock grown at the nursery. This new grafted tree can be grown on in a pot for 2 – 3 years before being planted out in the orchard. This method guarantees the new tree will produce fruit of exactly the same variety as the tree from which it was pruned. Cuttings will be taken from 10 trees as agreed with the nursery. When grafted trees are ready, they will be planted in suitable gaps around the orchard and protected from stock grazing by individual timber post and rail with stock netting shelters, 1.8m high and 1m square.
85. The appellant also proposes restoration of the orchard at the front of Straitgate Farmhouse. Cuttings from the existing apple trees would be propagated and planted. We saw on our visit that tree cover within the orchard is sparse compared with what it would have been historically. Because the orchard is part of the historic layout of the grounds to the farmhouse, its restoration can be given some weight in favour.
154. There are also significant material considerations which weigh in favour of the proposal. These include… restoration of the orchard at Straitgate Farm.
5.4.2 Five new trees from this grafted stock should be planted in the nursery when they are ready. Newly planted trees should be protected by a square, post and rail tree guard with stock netting to protect the tree from sheep grazing, such as the one in the photograph below.