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Council no longer contests gravel pit appeal

Andrew Turner
BBC News, Norfolk
Reporting fromGreat Yarmouth Racecourse
Andrew Turner/BBC John Dowsett, the planning inspector sits at his desk at the front of the inquiry room, with severa people seated on red steel-framed chairs. The back wall is timber panelling and the carpet is green. Counsel for Breedon Trading is on the left of the image, and Norfolk County Council on the right.Andrew Turner/BBC
Planning inspector John Dowsett will hear evidence from Breedon Trading, Norfolk County Council and local residents

A council has told a planning inspector it "no longer contests" an appeal to open a quarry in a village.

Breedon Trading was refused permission in May to extract 650,000 tonnes of sand and gravel from land off Crab Apple Lane in Haddiscoe, Norfolk.

The company lodged an appeal, but in the opening statements heard before inspector John Dowsett on Tuesday, both sides said they had worked constructively on mitigating concerns through planning conditions.

Sari Kelsey, a parish councillor and member of the Stopit campaign, said: "We have already suffered two quarries. Surely we have done our bit."

Killian Garvey, a barrister representing Breedon Trading, said both parties had found "common ground" and that the council no longer objected to the application.

Andrew Turner/BBC Nine folders of paperwork, plus a bundle of papers clipped together, on a wooden table. The green patterned carpet is visible on the floor, and a wood strip runs along the back wall of the room.Andrew Turner/BBC
Several volumes of documents have been compiled as evidence in the appeal against a planning refusal for a quarry at Haddiscoe

Mr Garvey admitted a level of heritage harm, but cited that it would be outweighed by the eventual restoration of the site.

The company said it had worked on a dust management plan, and satisfied Norfolk County Council there would be "no adverse impact on residents" caused by noise.

"There would be no unacceptable impacts on residents," he said.

"The proposal supports the local minerals needs, and acts as a satellite for the site at Norton Subcourse quarry.

"Permission should therefore be granted without delay."

'Constructive discussions'

The meeting was attended by local county councillor Barry Stone and Ben Goldsborough, the Labour MP for South Norfolk - as well as several residents.

Ben De Feu, representing the county council, said at the time of the planning decision, the proposal put the application in conflict with a number of policies.

"The reason for refusal was air quality and dust, noise and the impact on heritage assets," he said.

"Through the provision of additional information, and constructive discussions, the developer has worked constructively with the council to overcome the council's concerns.

"The council therefore does not contest the appeal."

Sari Kelsey, parish councillor for Haddiscoe and member of the Stopit campaign, said it was a battle of David and Goliath with the village fighting a company with millions of pounds at its disposal to spend on lawyers, while they had to fundraise.

"We have purchased this expert advice through bingo, baking and barbecues," she said.

"We would rather spend our efforts to mend the playground, improve pedestrian walkways and offer a chance to regenerate more communal opportunities."

She said the village would be impacted by the development with both noise and dust, and the historic assets of the village, including the Grade I listed St Mary's Church - 20 metres (66ft) from the site boundary - would be impacted.

"If the quarry is agreed, the noise of gravel being sifted from sand will accompany our baptisms, weddings and funerals for years to come," she added.

Andrew Turner/BBC John Dowsett, dressed in a dark blue suit, with white shirt and blue tie, sits at his desk. There is files of paper before him, and a laptop computer, and a projector, and a projector screen. The table has a wooden top and chrome legs.Andrew Turner/BBC
Planning inspector John Dowsett said he expected all the evidence would be heard in one day, with site visits likely to take place on Wednesday

Barry Stone, Conservative member for Haddiscoe on Norfolk County Council, said the village had nothing to gain from the quarry.

"This is something they don't want, and something that won't benefit their life," he said.

"I think that's where the planning process falls down. We should be thinking about the local community, not big business.

"Breedon will make a lot of money from this.

"They seem to be able to ride roughshod over the way of life of residents."

Planning inspector Mr Dowsett said: "The main issues I will be considering before I make my decision is whether the appeal proposal will comply with local planning policies, the impact on the character of the area, and the impact of the proposal on residents living near the to the site, in terms of dust and noise."

He is expected to visit the site later or on Wednesday.

His decision will be published later in the year.

Andrew Turner/BBC Three bundles of papers, clipped and held together with elastic bands, on a table. The carpet can be seen on the floor, and cream coloured walls, and a textured bin in the bottom right of the image.Andrew Turner/BBC
Stacks of documents had been prepared for the planning inquiry but ahead of the inquiry, the developer and council had been working on a series of conditions to mitigate the impact of the quarry

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