Call to unite against Newport quarry scheme as planning inquiry looms
Residents have been urged to unite against proposals for a huge quarry on the outskirts of Newport.
Councillor Andrew Eade, the ward member for Church Aston and Lilleshall, says the quarry to extract sand and gravel could blight the local area and cause environmental problems for years to come.
The quarry planning application for Chetwynd Aston was refused by Telford & Wrekin Council but that decision has now been appealed by the developers Mick George Ltd.
It will now be decided by an independent planning inspector at an inquiry due to start at 10am on Tuesday, November 14, at The Whitehouse Hotel in Wellington .
Councillor Eade said “Together with Chetwynd Aston and Woodcote Parish Council and tremendous help from local residents, we have fought a long and so far successful campaign to stop this quarry going ahead which, has seen planning permission refused.
“Locally we have already suffered over over-development from too many houses and now it is the turn of our open countryside to be threatened which would see an open cast quarry, concrete plant and over 20 years of future landfill.”
“We now have one final hurdle to overcome at the public Inquiry, which is planned to last over six days, and need the support of our local community to make one final push to have this scheme thrown out.
“We really do have all to play for and hope to get these proposals scrapped. I would urge all members of our community to get behind our campaign by joining us at the opening of the inquiry and signing our petition which already has 350 signatures.
"Let’s do all we can to stop these proposals coming to fruition."
Proposals for the new quarry off Pave Lane in Chetwynd Aston, near Newport, were submitted as part of a drive by local councils to source their own building aggregates.
Plans were submitted to Telford & Wrekin Council, but have come under fire from local councillors who say that the site is not needed.
Plans have also been submitted to change access arrangements to another neighbouring proposed quarry.
About 200,000 tonnes of sand and gravel would be extracted from the planned quarry at Woodcote Wood, Weston Heath, each year – but residents say an entrance off the A41 would increase the risk of accidents.
Planning permission for the quarry at the Woodcote Wood site was granted in 2006, however a formal decision was not issued due to an agreement on conditions not being completed.
The site has now been leased by a new operator, Atherstone-based company NRS, which has submitted a new planning application to Shropshire Council.
A total of 20 letters of objection have been submitted to Shropshire Council over the plans.
Anyone who would like to discuss the Pave Lane inquiry further, should contact Councillor Eade directly on 01952 541662 or andrew.eade@telford.gov.uk.
