As of 10 May, DCC's Consultation Portal was showing 476 respondents, of which 384 or 80.7% objected to the inclusion of Straitgate as a Preferred Site in the Minerals Plan. A summary of results will be provided by DCC at their Development Management Committee meeting on 6 June, and we expect this to include the responses from the statutory consultees.
Straitgate Farm near Ottery St Mary in Devon was bought in 1965 in the hope it would yield 20 million tonnes of sand & gravel. Straitgate Action Group was formed in 2001 to oppose a quarry due to concerns over water supplies, ancient woodlands, protected species, road safety and more. After finally gaining permission for just 1 million tonnes on appeal, Holcim UK – formerly Aggregate Industries – abandoned its plans in 2025. This blog records the long path to victory.