Not the UK of course, but in New Zealand:
Canterbury Regeneration Minister Megan Woods is considering changing the law to pave the way for a mandatory buffer zone of at least 500 metres between quarries and houses.
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.
Canterbury Regeneration Minister Megan Woods is considering changing the law to pave the way for a mandatory buffer zone of at least 500 metres between quarries and houses.