Sir Hugo Swire has written to Sir James Bevan, Chief Executive of the Environment Agency, after concerns were raised that Aggregate Industries’ quarry plans for Straitgate Farm do not – and will not – reflect accurate groundwater information prior to determination.
In August, in Is this heading for an almighty stitch-up?, we posted:
Despite recent groundwater levels that put AI’s quarry plans for Straitgate Farm underwater, last month AI confirmed that it will not be submitting revised plans "following discussion with the EA and DCC". The Environment Agency also confirmed that the agency does not intend to ask for revised plans prior to determination - only "immediately before operation of the quarry begins".
With AI’s quarry plans up to 2.8m underwater, local people and other readers will no doubt find it simply staggering that DCC cannot already confirm that AI will be asked to amend their plans BEFORE determination – as a matter of course – knowing that groundwater levels have been recorded above the proposed base of the quarry at five different locations; knowing that groundwater levels have been recorded above the base of the proposed infiltration areas in four locations - as little as 0.5m below the ground surface - thereby negating their primary purpose of preventing flooding; knowing that the current plans could result in permanent ponding, contrary to the conditions recommended by Exeter Airport; knowing that the current plans contravene the Minerals Plan, which states that any working must be above the water table.
It is utterly ridiculous that this sort of thing – a fundamental part of any quarry design – should not be resolved BEFORE determination, when the drinking water supplies of more than 100 people are at stake.
Sir Hugo Swire has now written to the Chief Executive of the EA:
… These concerns relate to the extraction levels respective to the maximum water table on the site which are now causing considerable concern locally both in terms of possible flooding and contamination of water. It is my understanding that recent rainfall has revealed levels of higher groundwater… Surely what is needed is a robust and workable plan before any permission is given and a plan in which your organisation has an input sooner rather than later. For instance, it may be that the EA will take the view that no development of this site is desirable which would have more weight prior to a planning hearing than it would retrospectively.
It goes without saying that I would be happy to meet your local team to discuss this in greater detail, but I would like them to know that this is a situation that you are personally taking an interest.
Sir Hugo Swire also raised concerns about the haulage distances involved and the vehicle access to the proposed site. He has written to Cllr John Hart, Leader of DCC, pointing out that a safer access proposal has been put forward to DCC by Vectos, with the backing of local people, but that no response has yet been elicited, and that "road safety and the transport of children is causing me real concern" – the access point for AI’s 44-tonne HGVs is used as a school bus stop for pupils from King's and Colyton.
