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Controversial Wetherden quarry extension, near Elmswell, given green light by Suffolk County Council despite community outcry




The controversial extension of a village quarry has been given the green light despite community outcry.

Earlier today, members of the county council's development and regulation committee discussed Aggmax Transport's proposals for the northern expansion of Lawn Farm Quarry, in Wetherden, south of Elmswell.

The proposals attracted strong local opposition, with 64 residents submitting a total of 274 comments, a public petition receiving 2,016 signatures, and formal objections received from Elmswell, Wetherden, Haughley and Woolpit parish councils.

The Entrance To Aggmax Transport Ltd Site In Lawn Farm Quarry, Wetherden. Credit: Google Maps.
The Entrance To Aggmax Transport Ltd Site In Lawn Farm Quarry, Wetherden. Credit: Google Maps.

A range of issues were raised during the application process, including air quality, noise, traffic, environment, public safety, and the historical management of the site.

Peter Dow, Elmswell Parish Council clerk, said the council accepted the application was within policy, but urged committee members to dedicate further monitoring to the new site, funded by the operator, to ensure planning conditions were followed.

He added: "This unashamedly cavalier attitude to rules and regulations is and has been for many years applied across the board — worse or the same is to follow.

Residents protesting the felling of oak trees as part of the quarry's expansion proposals. Picture: Jennifer Tooke-Marchant
Residents protesting the felling of oak trees as part of the quarry's expansion proposals. Picture: Jennifer Tooke-Marchant

"Proper processes and procedures have been flaunted regularly and have been flaunted throughout the history of this site."

Roger Tricker, of Haughley New Street, said: "We have been suffering with the mess left by their lorries for far too long now.

"There is no attempt from Aggmax to comply with the rules and regulations which Suffolk County Council attempted to put in place to address our concerns."

These were raised again during the meeting by local members Cllrs Andy Mellen and Andrew Stringer.

Cllr Mellen said although there had been several complaints over breaches of conditions, there hadn't been a meeting of the quarry liaison group in his four years as councillor and pointed out new housing would be too close to the proposed extension.

He added: "The operator of Wetherden quarry seems to be unable to comply with these conditions, they could not even organise a functioning wheel wash for a committee site visit.

"If you approve these applications, you will be continuing to facilitate a rogue operator."

Officers concluded there would be no significant impacts on the new housing.

Cllr Stringer reiterated these concerns and said there hadn't been a week without an alleged or upheld breach, with too much faith being placed on conditions being followed when they allegedly historically hadn't.

One of the biggest concerns with regard to breach of conditions had to do with deposits being left on the road by HGVs.

Officers confirmed, however, that the past performance of the company could not be used as a planning consideration.

David Marsh, the applicant's agent, said the frequency of the alleged breaches had not been relayed to the applicant but did not deny issues 'on a regular basis'.

He added the majority of the deposits were left by passing tractors — this was then denied by Cllr Stringer.

Mr Marsh said: "If you provide sand and gravel for a living, and that's your business, you don't have it dropping out the truck going down the road — it's illegal as well."

The agent went on to commit to having a more active response to complaints and ensure liaison committee meetings took place to give residents a voice.

The current quarry has only one and a half years of sand and gravel remaining, with an expected 750,000 saleable tonnes at the extension site.

Addressing the different representations, Cllr Stuart Bird said the application should be decided on the same basis as any other and not on whether there could be breaches of conditions in the future.

Cllr David Goldsmith pointed out that if the application was refused, it would likely be defeated at the appeal stage.

The development was split into two different applications, with one proposing a variation of conditions to allow for the extension itself.

Both were approved by councillors subject to conditions.

Extra conditions were agreed to which required details over fencing to be provided before building could take place, and a fence to be built before any extractions to ensure public safety.