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.
Devon County Council's Flood Risk Management Team – in its role as Lead Local Flood Authority – has objected to the proposal by Aggregate Industries to quarry Straitgate Farm:
It is now the second time the LLFA has objected to the application:
