Aggregate Industries’ planning application WD/D/19/000451 for an extension to Chard Junction Quarry in the Dorset AONB has been the subject of a number of posts.
The application is to quarry some 830,000 tonnes of sand and gravel, "approximately 90%" of which would be for the "decorative market." Dorset Council planning officers recommended approval – despite the fact that "Great weight should be given to conserving and enhancing landscape and scenic beauty in... Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty which have the highest status of protection", and despite the proposal's "significant adverse landscape impact on the character of the designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty". How screwed up is that?
However, determination has been delayed following discovery that "officers had sent the notification to an old email address for the Tatworth and Forton parish council." That parish council has now "resolved to strongly oppose the planning application", one reason being:
1. As it is a major new development in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), paragraph 172 of the National Planning Policy Framework applies. This states that such a development must meet an ‘exceptional circumstances’ test. Since the need for the stone is not primarily for construction but for decorative purposes, the Council considers there is not a sufficient reason for severely damaging an AONB.
Hear, hear. The parish council also pointed to the support from Devon County Council, saying:
Devon Council supports this application, but says that "if permission were refused the knock-on effect for Devon is likely to be quite small."
