Aggregate Industries has launched a planning application, DCC/4132/2019, "to continue importation of inert soils and subsoil to allow for revised restoration contours at Marshbroadmoor including a revised restoration scheme at Rockbeare Quarry."
Mineral extraction at Marshbroadmoor ceased in 2014. Importation of material has since continued despite "3.3 Condition B1 of Schedule B of planning permission Ref. 7/11/98/P0050 required the cessation of operations at Marshbroadmoor by 25th of April 2015."
Over the years we’ve posted about nearby Marshbroadmoor and Rockbeare – the latter being the area that had previously been earmarked, by both AI and DCC, for processing material from Straitgate Farm. We’ve posted things like: AI says it's done this sort of thing before - if so, it was breaching planning conditions, and how AI's asphalt plant at Rockbeare continues to operate without permission.
Incidentally, for anyone banking on Straitgate delivering the goods, Marshbroadmoor was one of the quarries mentioned in AI’s last two quarries in East Devon produced significantly less than expected - and there's every chance Straitgate would too:
The original planning application gave a figure of 1.1 million tonnes, but, due to geological faulting, nothing like that amount ever came out. After an 'incidental' amount was transported to Hillhead for processing, an application was made in 2010 for the bulk of the reserve, some 176,000 tonnes, to be processed at Blackhill.
This new planning application "includes an overall restoration masterplan for both Marshbroadmoor and Rockbeare Quarry which will provide for a more comprehensive, coherent scheme." The volume of material required to complete restoration is "estimated to be approximately 118,000m3", which at 15 tonnes per load equates to another 30,000 truck movements "likely to average 40 (20 in, 20 out) per day."
One aim of the restoration will be to "to ensure the stability of RB2":
3.19 The large waterbody known as RB2 is a former silt pond. It was originally intended to infill the pond under the previously approved restoration scheme. The pond is currently (and will continue to be) used to accept surface water drainage that is pumped from a sump near the Waycon Precast Concrete site. Given the need to retain the pond and potential ecological value, it is no longer intended to infill completely.
3.20 The restoration of RB2 will be reliant on the stability of the surrounding slopes and silt content. A survey of the slopes is required and the applicant is willing to accept a condition requiring one to be undertaken within a specified timeframe alongside a restoration scheme solely for RB2…
3.22 The reduction in the size of RB2 and the proposed planting will make the waterbody less attractive to birds which may present a bird strike risk given the site’s proximity to Exeter Airport.
Three other water bodies, that were originally proposed to be infilled will now also be retained – directly below the landing path to Exeter Airport – apparently in agreement with DCC.
Mineral extraction at Rockbeare dates from 1947 and at Marshbroadmoor from 1997. The retrospective application seeks to amend the restoration scheme such that the "final restoration of Marshbroadmoor will be completed by April 2022" and "the timeframe for restoration of Rockbeare… remains up to 21st of February 2042."
AI’s consultants say – without any trace of irony – that over that 95-year interval:
5.1 The effects associated with the operational development will generally be considered to be temporary in nature, mineral development and restoration representing a temporary use of the land. Long term effects arising from the finalisation of the operations and final restoration will generally be considered permanent and beneficial in nature.
On the latter issue – how restoration will benefit nature – here’s the document spelling out how AI will deal with the removal of habitat at Marshbroadmoor for nesting sand martins.
It is not considered safe or feasible to maintain or create a face suitable for nesting Sand Martins as part of the final restoration scheme.
Is this another example of Aggregate Industries making space for nature?
Consultation for the above application remains open to the public until 1/8/2019.
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| Photo: Sand martins at Tarmac’s Arcow Quarry, in North Yorkshire, by Michael Cardus |
