An application for a 1.25 million tonne sand and gravel quarry on the outskirts of Hertford has been turned down again. The Planning Inspectorate will now make the final decision. Read more here:
Dr David Adam, an ecologist from Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge, spoke against the application, telling councillors that particles from the quarry travel far further than its limits and posed a significant health risk.
He said: "Crystalline silica particles are known carcinogens, for that reason they are very safely controlled as an environmental hazard by the Health and Safety Executive.
"They will put safety measures in place to make sure workers aren't exposed too much. These particles are known to be found within a few hundred metres. That would include the play ground and the playing field for Bengeo Primary School.
"You are asking people who have none of the benefits to take all of the risk."
