New bid for quarry in Wolston

FIERCELY opposed plans for a quarry in Wolston have resurfaced almost four years after they were shelved.

In May 2008 Bardon Aggregrates decided to pull the plug on their bid to build the quarry just one day before county council planning chiefs were set to refuse it.

Since then the plans have sat on the shelf - until now.

Between the announcement of the plans in July 2007 and their withdrawal, hundreds of villagers banded together in opposition to the quarry, saying it would ruin the landscape and create traffic and dust problems.

But developer Smiths Concrete today (Thursday) announced its intention to revive the plans to quarry nearly one million tonnes of sand and gravel from land at Wolston Fields Farm over the next six years.

Coun Derek Poole, for Earl Craven and Wolston, said: "I would expect the parish councillors and residents to oppose it. Last time the big complaints were over the traffic and dust factor.

"But this time the two fields near to houses off Wolston Lane aren't in the equation, so maybe there will be less opposition.

"It all depends on where people live. If it is near to their houses then they are likely to be against it."

Smiths plans to exhibit its plans for the site on Monday January 30 at Wolston Leisure and Community Centre before applying for planning permission from Warwickshire County Council.

Land and planning manager for the firm, Mark Page, said: "It is important people are aware of, and fully understand, our proposals before we submit a planning application.

"I hope as many people as possible take the chance to come and see the plans and let us have their comments."

Smiths hopes to quarry around 170,000 tonnes of sand and gravel each year from the 220 acre site if given approval.

The firm has been quick to assure restoration work would be carried out to return the land to agriculture with wetland for wildlife once the quarrying is finished.

Materials quarried would be transported by road to Smith's existing processing plant three miles away in Bubbenhall for washing and grading.

The sand and gravel would be used mainly for the firm's construction products - ready-mixed concrete, mortar and screeds - with materials also to be used for building projects in Warwickshire ranging from homes and schools to road repairs and water treatment.

Environmental assessments covering dust, noise, visual impact and the effects on wildlife will be carried out as part of Smiths' application for planning permission.

The exhibition of the plans will run at the leisure centre from 2pm to 7.30pm.