A CONTROVERSIAL plan to expand a Thurrock quarry is being recommended for approval despite attracting more than 1,000 objections and strong warnings from major wildlife organisations reports the Local Democracy Reporter.
The proposals, submitted by Ingrebourne Valley Ltd, would allow the extraction of up to 1.5 million tonnes of sand and gravel from land at Walton’s Hall Farm, to the south of the existing Orsett Quarry off Buckingham Hill Road, Linford.
The site is the only source of construction aggregates in the borough, and planning officers say the extension is needed to maintain supply for local building projects.
The scheme includes creating new extraction areas on both sides of Walton’s Hall Road, installing a conveyor belt under the road, building a new processing plant within the existing quarry, and constructing a haul road linking the sites.
Excavation is expected to take eight to ten years, followed by a long-term restoration programme returning the land to farmland, with landscape planting and the creation of two new eco parks with water bodies and walking routes.
If work begins in 2026, all quarrying would cease by 2042, in line with the existing permission. Final restoration and removal of site infrastructure would continue into the 2040s.
Planning officers say the application has “significant economic benefits” and recommend approval, subject to conditions and a legal agreement that includes a £25,000 contribution towards highway improvements.
The plans have provoked a huge public backlash. A total of 1,129 responses were received during consultation, with just two in support and 1,127 objections. Residents raised concerns about increased HGV traffic, air pollution, dust, noise, highway safety, and the impact on nearby schools and local businesses. Many objectors said the area had already suffered from disruption linked to the A13 widening scheme.
Wildlife groups also lodged strong objections. The RSPB, Buglife, Essex Field Club and Essex Badger Protection Group all argued that the development would destroy priority habitats, threaten species such as the shrill carder bee, cause “significant” biodiversity loss, and undermine the region’s already pressured brownfield ecosystems.
Despite this, the Environment Agency and Natural England raised no objections, and planning officers concluded the restoration plans would ultimately deliver landscape and ecological benefits.
Thurrock Council’s planning committee is due to decide the application on Tuesday.
Categories:
Planning Permission
Authorities:
Thurrock Council
