Devon County Council has released the agenda for the 6 June Development Management Committee meeting, 2pm at County Hall, and the report "Outline of responses to local consultation on Future Quarrying in East and Mid Devon", which will be presented at that meeting. DCC has summarised the responses to the consultation and outlined the work that now needs to be done before publishing the Minerals Plan later in the year.
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.