This week, the Environment Agency reported the wettest February in Devon and Cornwall, and the wettest 12 months in England, since records began in 1871. The FT went a step further, and reported that England has been drenched with the wettest 18 months since records began in 1836.
The Planning Inspectors stipulated in their appeal decision that the estimated maximum water table at Straitgate Farm, the MWWT, the level the company is permitted to quarry down to, would be updated to reflect higher groundwater readings.
What is Aggregate Industries doing about this? Absolutely nothing at all. The company has not done any monitoring of groundwater levels at Straitgate for 2 years.
It's not the first time we've posted about this sorry situation. In December, we posted ‘Exceptionally high’ rainfall – and still no water monitoring at Straitgate, and last April, Wettest March since 1981 – and Straitgate groundwater levels not monitored.
