Second consultation on sand and gravel sites in Suffolk
A second consultation has begun on Suffolk Couny Council's plan for the future of sand and gravel extraction in the county.
Suffolk County Council, as a minerals and waste planning authority, is required as part of the planning framework to make a provision for sand and gravel supplies, based largely on average of sales over the previous 10 years, which is 1.112 million tonnes per year.
The public consultation opened at 5pm on 11 June 2018 and runs until 5pm on 23 July 2018. This follows two previous public consultations.
In response to feedback from the consultation held between October and December 2017, three of the proposed sites have been reduced in area and additional policies have been introduced on all proposed sites.
The 10 minerals sites in the consultation are: Barham, Barnham, Belstead, Cavenham, Layham, Tattingstone, Wangford, Wetherden, Wherstead and Worlington.
To find out more about the consultation and how you can have your say visit: www.suffolk.gov.uk/mineralsandwaste
Only one site for waste development is being proposed, at Sizewell A, for the treatment and temporary storage of radioactive material removed as part of decommissioning from Sizewell and other decommissioning stations.
Feedback from this consultation, along with the draft plan will be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate and an Examination in Public (EiP) is expected early in 2019. Following the EiP the planning inspector will produce a report on any changes required.
Quarrying companies still need to submit a planning application to the county council to extract materials and pay landowners to dig up the material.
Once the site has had its sand and gravel quarried, the site can be restored, by reshaping the land and covering with soils, which are stored during the extraction process. This is followed by a five-year aftercare period to make sure the land is brought up to the required standard.
Cllr Paul West, Suffolk County Council’s Cabinet Member with responsibility for the plan, said: “We have listened carefully to the feedback from the most recent consultation and taken this in account in the development of the draft minerals and waste plan. The size of three of the proposed sites has now been reduced and site specific policies have been introduced on all sites.
“Only the feedback from this consultation will be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate. So, even if individuals, local communities and businesses have provided comments during previous stages, it is important that they give their feedback during this six week period.”
There will also be 10 consultation events where members of the public can learn more about the preferred sites, speak to members of the minerals and waste team and fill in the consultation survey.
You can do the survey on the phone on or request a paper copy at 0345 603 1842.