Continuation of sand and gravel quarrying approved

Plans put forward two-and-a-half years ago to allow more quarrying from land by the A49 in Herefordshire have been approved.

Herefordshire Quarries of Lugg Bridge sought permission to extract one million tonnes of sand and gravel at a rate of 100,000 tonnes per year over a 10-year period.

The 70-acre site, between Wellington and Marden, will be turned into a wetland and grassland for wildlife afterwards.

A mound formed of cleared topsoil will screen the quarry from the adjacent dual carriageway, according to plans.

It is expected that sand and gravel extracted from the site will fill 20 lorries per day when it is fully operational.

There will be 10 people employed at the site, and it is expected that material will be washed and screened on-site with water from two new lagoons.

There were 20 letters of objection from local residents, but council planning officers noted that the volume of material extracted would extend the county’s permitted reserves and provide “a valued contribution” to the supply of minerals within the county.

Whilst officers noted the scheme would impact visually on the nearby Wellington conservation area and on the Grade II listed Bridge House, this would only be the case during its 10 year working life, after which the setting would be restored.

Conditions were applied to ensure the landscape restoration went ahead in tandem with the quarrying, and must still be carried out if quarrying work ceases early.

A liaison group must also be set up between the quarry owners and the local community, to ensure there is way for residents to raise concerns.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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