Planning Statement in Support of a Full Planning Application (made under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990) to Consolidate the Previous Planning Permissions for Seisdon Quarry, Allowing for the Continued Winning and Working of the Remaining Mineral Reserve and Import of Restoration Materials, Enabling the Restoration of Seisdon Quarry by 31st December 2018
Seisdon Quarry, Ebstree Road, Seisdon Wolverhampton. WV11 7EY.
Report Reference: CE-SD0609-RP04-FINAL
Produced by Crestwood Environmental Ltd.
Crestwood Report Reference: CE-SD0609-RP04-FINAL:
Version & Date Written / Updated by: Checked & Authorised by: Status Produced
Adam Collinge – Senior Landscape Draft v1i Aug 2015 Sid Lambert – Managing Director Architect
Adam Collinge – Senior Landscape FINAL Aug 2015 Sid Lambert – Managing Director Architect
This report has been prepared in good faith, with all reasonable skill, care and diligence, based on information provided or known available at the time of its preparation and within the scope of work agreement with the client.
We disclaim any responsibility to the client and others in respect of any matters outside the scope of the above.
The report is provided for the sole use of the named client and is confidential to them and their professional advisors. No responsibility is accepted to others.
Crestwood Environmental Ltd. 1 & 2 Nightingale Place Pendeford Business Park Wobaston Road Wolverhampton WV9 5HF
Tel: 01902 824 037
Email: [email protected] Web: www.crestwoodenvironmental.co.uk Full Planning Application for the Mineral Extraction and Restoration at Seisdon Quarry Planning Statement
CONTENTS
1 INTRODUCTION ...... 2 1.1 PREFACE ...... 2 1.2 THE APPLICANT ...... 2 1.3 THE SITE AND EXISTING SITUATION ...... 3 1.4 ACCESS ...... 8 1.5 THE PROPOSALS AND PLANNING CONTEXT ...... 8 1.6 SUMMARY...... 11 2 DEVELOPMENT DETAILS ...... 12 2.1 THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT ...... 12 2.2 RATE OF EXPORT/IMPORTATION AND VEHICLE MOVEMENTS ...... 16 2.3 HOURS OF OPERATION ...... 17 2.4 SITE SECURITY, STAFFING AND ACCOMODATION ...... 17 2.5 ESTIMATED LIFE OF OPERATIONS ...... 17 2.6 MINERAL DEMAND AND JUSTIFICATION ...... 18 3 POLICY ...... 20 3.1 GENERAL ...... 20 3.2 NATIONAL POLICY ...... 20 3.3 STAFFORDSHIRE AND STOKE-ON-TRENT MINERALS LOCAL PLAN 1994-2006 ...... 26 3.4 STAFFORDSHIRE AND STOKE-ON-TRENT JOINT WASTE LOCAL PLAN 2010-2026 ...... 29 3.5 OTHER POLICY ...... 30 3.6 COMMENTARY ...... 30 4 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS ...... 32 4.1 NOISE ...... 32 4.2 AIR QUALITY (ODOUR & DUST) ...... 32 4.3 ECOLOGY ...... 33 4.4 LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL ...... 34 4.5 HIGHWAYS / TRANSPORT ...... 41 4.6 AGRICULTURE AND SOILS ...... 42 4.7 ARBORICULTURE AND HEDGEROWS ...... 43 4.8 LAND CONTAMINATION AND GROUND CONDITIONS ...... 43 4.9 GEOLOGY AND HYDROGEOLOGY ...... 43 4.10 SURFACE WATER MANAGEMENT, HYDROLOGY AND FLOOD RISK ...... 44 4.11 CULTURAL HERITAGE AND ARCHAEOLOGY ...... 45 4.12 LIGHTING ...... 45 4.13 GENERAL AMENITY & OTHER ISSUES ...... 45 5 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ...... 47
LIST OF APPENDICES: Planning Drawings consisting of: Location Plan (ref: CE-SD0609-DW01) Appendix A Illustrative Mineral Working and Remediation Plan (ref: CE-SD0609-DW10) Restoration Concept and Land-Use Plan (ref: CE-SD0609-DW09) Outline Restoration Phasing Plan (ref: CE-SD0609-DW15) Appendix B Plant and Equipment Details
Appendix C Planning Permission SS.08/08/627 M and SS.10.04.627 M
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1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 PREFACE
1.1.1 This Planning Statement provides the planning justification in support of a planning application for the continuation of quarry operations, enabling the restoration by 31st December 2018 of Seisdon Quarry, Ebstree Road, Seisdon. WV11 7EY.
1.1.2 The planning application is further supported by an Environmental Statement (ES) in accordance with the Town and Country Planning (EIA) Regulations 2011, which has been provided voluntarily. During its long planning and operational history, Seisdon Quarry is not known to have been subject to an EIA application and no previous ES has been submitted. In consultation with Staffordshire County Council, consideration has been given to the requirements of an ES.
1.1.3 As the proposals are not considered to incorporate any significant additional operations beyond those previously permitted for the Site and will primarily lead to a brief intensification of operations in order to facilitate the restoration of the quarry in the quickest viable timeframe, the only potentially significant environmental impact is considered to be in relation to highways and traffic issues. A highways and Traffic Impact Assessment forms the primary purpose of the submitted ES. Further environmental considerations for which it was considered necessary to undertake additional assessment have also been included in the ES for completeness, including chapters assessing the restoration impacts and ecology impacts. Other environmental considerations which are unlikely to have changed or will not significantly change from the previously permitted situation are described within this Planning Statement and Volume 1 of the ES.
1.1.4 Crestwood Environmental Ltd (CEL), an environmental and planning consultancy specialising in the minerals and waste management sector have been appointed to act as Agent on behalf of the Applicant. CEL has prepared this Supporting Statement.
1.2 THE APPLICANT
1.2.1 JPE Holdings Ltd (the ‘Applicant’) began operating Seisdon Quarry on behalf of Tarmac Group Limited in 2012. The Applicant fully acquired the Seisdon Quarry in 2014 in order to facilitate completion of mineral extraction operations and complete restoration of the quarry.
1.2.2 The Applicant is one of the Midlands’ leading suppliers of aggregates, sand and soils to the construction industry, operating almost entirely from quarry sites within Staffordshire. They supply from their own strategically located local sources that ensures the highest levels of product quality. With an in-house fleet of vehicles they also offer a full muck-shift service for both one off and large volume jobs that includes disposal, recovery and a back to back service with deliveries of sand, aggregate or soil.
1.2.3 The Applicant is committed to helping improve the sustainability of construction projects, and operate the latest recovery plant to return recovered, fully washed sand and stone from waste arising’s to the construction market.
1.2.4 The Applicant has steadily developed its business, supplying aggregates, groundworks and site clearance over a period of more than 20 years. The company has been involved in many of the leading projects in the Midlands area, including the Black Country Route, Trent Valley Four Tracking
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Project (TV4), the M6 Toll Road and the M6 hard shoulder strengthening.
1.2.5 By providing the highest levels of service and a commitment to supporting sustainability in the construction industry, JPE have gained a reputation for being leaders in delivering earth and aggregate solutions.
1.3 THE SITE AND EXISTING SITUATION
1.3.1 The Site is located between the villages of Seisdon (west of the Site) and Trysull (south of the Site), in southwest Staffordshire. The Site is c. 3.1km west of Wolverhampton at its closest point. The closest properties to the Site are just outside of Seisdon, adjacent to the northern boundary of the Site, off Ebstree Road and at Ebstree Meadow. The closest dwellings at Trysull are approximately 130m southeast of the Site off Church Lane/Trysull Holloway. The village of Wombourne is c. 1.5km southeast of the Site at its closest point.
1.3.2 Access to the Site is gained via Ebstree Road, immediately northwest of the Site at the Site boundary. Trysull Holloway is to the east of the Site (which historically was the location of the now closed eastern access to the Site). Church Lane (a byway) leads northwest between Trysull and Seisdon, forming the southwestern boundary of Seisdon Quarry.
1.3.3 Previous planning permissions required Seisdon Quarry to be restored by 31st December 2014, with extraction ceasing by 31st December 2013. Unfortunately, due to a combination of business priorities and the economic recession, the previous owner/operator (Tarmac) was unable to complete extraction and restoration of the Site.
1.3.4 A planning application was submitted in 2013 to allow for a further 300,000 tonnes of mineral extraction between 1st January 2014 and 31st December 2016, with a further 2 year restoration period. Due to various concerns and the level of work required at Seisdon Quarry, the previous application has been held in abeyance awaiting clarification of proposals to facilitate the restoration of Seisdon Quarry. In 2014, JPE Holdings Ltd purchased the Seisdon Quarry Site in order to complete extraction and took on the restoration liability for the Site from the previous operator.
1.3.5 A full review of operations, mineral reserve, restoration requirements and the long-term afteruse of Seisdon Quarry was undertaken in 2014.
1.3.6 The existing situation comprises an active quarry site where around two thirds of the Site remains unrestored. The unrestored quarry area comprises steep irregular slopes (vertical in places), mainly unvegetated. The quarry base and lake is irregular in shape and contains the best quality and most economically important remaining mineral reserves. There are large stockpiles of material, ungraded contained in a plateaued stocking area comprising unsorted mineral reserves and overburden. There are large areas of silt deposits in the quarry base, offering limited habitat potential.
1.3.7 The ‘do-nothing’ scenario would result in the withdrawal of all operations leaving large areas of the quarry unrestored with an irregular steeply undulating landform, with an irregular, largely in accessible lake. This situation would leave valuable mineral reserves remaining on site and result in an unacceptable unrestored redundant mineral working, that would have very limited or no viable long term afteruse and limited nature conservation benefit (contrary to planning policy). The Site would provide no sustainable benefits for future generations and the unrestored quarry faces
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would remain in a largely unsafe condition presenting a public health and safety risk. Photographs of the Site are shown below.
Existing Site Photos (Unrestored Areas)
Plate 1 View from northeastern boundary looking westwards
Plate 2 View across southern area of Site
Plate 3 View of extraction areas from within quarry base
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Plate 4 View eastwards from within quarry base
Plate 5 Mineral processing area
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Plate 6 View southwards from northern boundary, adjacent to Site Offices
1.3.8 A review of operations has found the following situation exists:
There are very limited restoration materials/soils remaining on Site. There are two bunds of stockpiled material (of limited quality and marginal volumes). The remaining soils resources have become lost over the previous operational periods. This has resulted in a deficit of material to achieve a high quality restoration and afteruse at the Site. In order to restore agricultural areas with only 0.5m of restoration soils, c. 90,000m3 of soils is required depending on the final areas of agriculture (c. 180,000m3 of soils is required for a 1m depth). This does not account for any other habitats such as woodlands, etc. Therefore, imported material is required to be blended with indigenous materials to provide for a sustainable and suitable restoration.
Under Permission SS.10/04/627 M (‘the Waste Permission’), this consented the import of c. 100,000m³ of inert restoration materials from Ettingshall and Bayston Hill over a 4 year period. The total import to the Site only accounted for around 50% – 60% of the permitted importation rate. The imported material was also of variable quality and much of the import has either had to be reprocessed to produce a viable restoration material and/or is only suitable as sub-surface restoration material and not surface level restoration soils. Material from Ettingshall and Bayston Hill is no longer available and an alternative source is required.
There are no restoration funds or bond secured at the Site. Any restoration would need to be financed by ongoing mineral extraction.
The amount of earth moving and removal of material required to satisfactorily restore the Site is substantial. This would be a significant financial undertaking that would last a considerable amount of time, also uncovering a number of areas of mineral deposits.
A Tarmac Geology Summary report dated 05/02/2013 identified a reserve of 247,000 tonnes (c. 145,294m3), primarily relating to dry extraction, and a reserve of 192,000 tonnes (c. 112,941 m3) primarily relating to wet (below water) extraction. This is a total virgin reserve of c. 258,000m3 (or c. 439,000 tonnes) The report also identified that the “total volume of all material lying between the current topography (including sub water) and the approved extraction envelope design gives 710,000m3.” This would relate to other areas of mineral, silt and made ground.
In April 2014, extraction modelling exercise was undertaken for the Site that also identified remaining minerals reserves. Based on extraction models, the total volume of material within
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the proposed extraction areas at the Site totalled c. 775,000 – 800,000 m3 (c. 1,320,000 – 1,360,000 tonnes @ 1.7 tonnes/ m3) of which:
∙ c. 340,000 – 365,000 m3 (c. 580,000 – 620,000 tonnes) was estimated to be virgin mineral reserve (dry and wet extraction); and
∙ c. 435,000 m3 was estimated to be other previously extracted mineral reserves and non- virgin material in need of partial extraction, regrading and reprocessing (i.e. the current stocking area and previously extracted mineral).
Evidence indicates there is between c. 1,200,000 and c. 1,310,000 tonnes of potentially extractable material at Seisdon Quarry. This illustrates that there are considerable mineral reserves remaining at Seisdon Quarry, but there are also considerable amounts of material for use in restoration and unprocessed resources that can be reused and blended with imported restoration material to manufacture a suitable restoration soil for the Site.
The highest quality mineral is contained in the virgin mineral reserves.
Ground modelling in 2014 also indicated that the extraction of c. 300,000 tonnes of material (inclusive of c. 120,000 – 170,000 of wet extraction material – within the lake) would not be sufficient on its own to achieve the previously Approved Restoration Scheme for the Site. A large amount of extraction is required above the water table as well as considerable regrading and infilling of the Lake. The volume requirements to achieve the previously approved landform (i.e. surface to surface modelling) did not account for the requirement for surface restoration soils and materials, slope stability, the quality and nature of the material, consolidation issues and other requirements, that would lead to further reprofiling, extraction and removal of material as well as import to manufacture restoration soils. Therefore the previous extraction target is deemed insufficient as well as being financially unviable to successfully restore the Site to a high environmental standard in accordance with planning policy.
As evidenced in the emerging Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Mineral Local Plan, Seisdon Quarry is now understood to be the last commercially operational sand and gravel quarry in southwest Staffordshire (serving the market area between the western edge of the West Midlands Conurbation and eastern Shropshire). Given that there are no proposed mineral allocations in southwest Staffordshire at this time and alternative quarries are not operational, it is contrary to planning policy to both sterilise the mineral reserves at Seisdon Quarry as well allowing a situation where there is insufficient mineral resources to serve the market area.
The previously approved restoration scheme was primarily to provide for nature conservation, with limited agricultural potential – with small, steeply undulating, irregular fields primarily only affording low-intensity grazing potential. Since the economic recession, local authorities and other charitable trusts often have insufficient resources and are reluctant to take on the long term management of such Sites. Therefore in accordance with policy, the long-term management and aftercare of quarries should be self-funding and sustainable wherever possible. This cannot be achieved by the agricultural regime provided for by the previously approved restoration scheme. At cessation of the aftercare secured by planning condition and/or S106 agreement, the Site would risk becoming a largely unmanaged and unsafe Site.
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1.3.9 Overall and in consultation with Staffordshire County, a more detailed planning application, programme of works and restoration scheme is required in order to comply with planning policy both in terms of maintaining mineral supply and facilitating the high quality restoration of the Site at the earliest opportunity.
1.3.10 During the recent economic recession, Seisdon Quarry operated largely ‘ad-hoc’, fulfilling mineral works on an order by order basis. In order to viably operate Seisdon Quarry JPE Holding Ltd has had to invest heavily in the Site in terms of new and upgraded equipment, upgraded operational techniques and undertake a substantial amount of earthworks and overburden clearance to facilitate rational working areas, mineral extraction and restoration. Improvements have also included incorporating a temporary water storage lagoon to aid operations and control surface water run-off. Further phased restoration has also been undertaken particularly in southeastern areas.
1.3.11 Since the beginning of 2014 to mid-2015, around 100,000 - 125,000 m3 of material has been exported from the Site. A number of minerals contracts have been secured for the Site in order to ensure sufficiency of demand, with export steadily increasing since the beginning of 2015 to fulfil order requirements and projected extraction targets. Processing rates have been increased to ensure extraction can be undertaken in line with the restoration timescales and material can be redirected to restoration as necessary. The upgraded mineral processing plant can process around 250,000 – 300,000 m3 of material per annum.
1.3.12 Overall, the Site has now been developed to a position where a rational programme of extraction and phased restoration can be achieved, that complies with national and local policy to allow restoration to be achieved by 31st December 2018 to a high environmental standard.
1.4 ACCESS
1.4.1 The existing access to Seisdon Quarry is off Ebstree Road, to the immediate north of the quarry. This is considered fit for purpose. There will be no changes to the access arrangements, vehicle reception area, wheel wash, weighbridge or office facilities.
1.5 THE PROPOSALS AND PLANNING CONTEXT
1.5.1 The Site previously operated in accordance with two separate planning permissions, which updated and superseded previous historic planning permissions for the Site.
1.5.2 Permission SS.08/08/627 M (‘the Extraction Permission’) relates to the winning and working of sand and gravel, use of ancillary facilities and the restoration of the site to a mixed nature conservation afteruse that includes areas of standing water and woodland planting. The currently approved restoration plan is shown within the area edged red on Plan No. SD400-D1 (‘the Quarry Site’). The existing planning boundary extends to an area of c. 38.0Ha
1.5.3 Permission SS.10/04/627 M (‘the Waste Permission’) relates to the importation of inert restoration permission from Tarmac’s recycling facilities at Ettingshall in Wolverhampton and Bayston Hill in Shropshire. The material is required to assist with the final restoration of the Extraction Permission.
1.5.4 There is also a S106 agreement relating to the Site. The planning permission above can be viewed
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at Appendix C.
1.5.5 Both planning permissions required that restoration of Seisdon Quarry be completed by 31st December 2014. Unfortunately, due to the economic recession (2008/9 onwards) and changing operator priorities, operations at Seisdon Quarry did not progress sufficiently to enable the complete extraction of remaining mineral and subsequent restoration in the permitted timeframes. Both permissions should have effectively expired, if operations had been able to achieve the restoration of the Site by the required date. Both permissions are still extant until either the restoration is achieved or superseded by a new permission.
1.5.6 An application (ref. SS.13/17/627 M (‘the Extension of Time Application’)) was submitted under Section 73 of the Town and Country Planning Act on 20th November 2013, in order to:
Vary planning condition 5 of planning permission SS.08/08/627 M in order to allow the complete extraction of the remaining sand and gravel reserve at the Site by varying the condition so that it would read: “The winning and working of sand and gravel shall cease no later than 31st December 2016”
Vary planning condition 34 of planning permission SS.08/08/627 M in order to allow the complete restoration of the Site by varying the Condition so that it would read: “Restoration comprising the creation of the final landform and the placement and cultivation of restoration soils and soil-forming materials shall be completed within 24 months of the cessation of the winning and working of sand and gravel and, in any event, no later than 31 December 2018.”
1.5.7 During the ongoing determination of this application and subsequent consultations with Staffordshire County Council, a number of key planning concerns became evident, mainly brought about due to additional analysis by the Applicant and the Mineral Planning Authority (based on the existing on Site situation as described above):
1. The Extraction and Waste Permissions are interrelated and planning implications could not legitimately be considered on a mutually exclusive basis i.e. changes to one planning permission needed to be considered alongside the other. The need for a composite application covering all applications was confirmed via letters dated 23rd October 2014.
2. Additional analysis of the mineral reserve identified additional potential mineral within the Site, beyond the tonnages envisaged within the Extension of Time Application. These mineral reserves would potentially be sterilised upon restoration – contrary to local and national planning policy.
3. Irrespective of Point 2, the level of works required in terms of on-site engineering and earth moving was a significant constraint to achieving the approved restoration scheme and the level of works required would undoubtedly uncover additional mineral reserves and or previous stockpiled reserves.
4. The restoration of the Site is permitted to be primarily for nature conservation purposes, with a number of steep slopes and areas of land created of a limited agricultural afteruse. Long-term management and a sustainable long-term beneficial afteruse is a pertinent planning consideration for the Applicant and Planning Authority alike.
5. Historically, there have been few soil resources retained on Site for restoration. The purpose of the Waste Permission was to supply inert recycled materials as restoration
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soils/material for the Site. However, the permission was never fully enacted due to the two Sites from where material was permitted to be received (Ettingshall and Bayston Hill) was insufficient in terms of volume. Equally, the material was of variable quality and was often found to be insufficient for restoration soil purposes requiring additional processing or amelioration. As such, further imported restoration materials are required to restore the Site and the Waste Permission was too restrictive regarding the sources of material.
6. There is no financial bond, guarantee or monies set aside for the restoration of Seisdon Quarry. The restoration will be funded by the ongoing production of sand and gravel aggregate at the Site.
7. Whilst accounting for the above, the Minerals Planning Authority requires operations at the Site to be designed such that the quarry can be restored at the earliest viable opportunity.
1.5.8 This planning application is being submitted in order to clarify the above issues. Equally it will compile all the previous permissions for Seisdon Quarry under one single composite planning permission, controlling operations leading to the restoration of the quarry by the 31st December 2018. The proposals contained in this application seek to:
Sustainably maximise the mineral reserve within the quarry to avoid needless sterilisation and maintaining market supply from a strategically important Site, whilst ensuring the operations achieve the restoration of the quarry in the shortest viable timeframe and the restoration proposals can be both practically and financially delivered. Exportation levels have also been designed to be sufficient to create a viable landform.
Ensure that the minimum amount of suitable inert restoration materials are imported to the Site for processing and blending with in-situ materials to produce restoration soils of sufficient quality and quantity to successfully restore the Site.
Revise the restoration proposals such that they provide for a sustainable long-term beneficial afteruse for mixed nature conservation and agricultural benefit, with final landform restoration to be achieved by 31st December 2018.
1.5.9 The proposals have been developed in conjunction with various consultees at Staffordshire County Council with regards to the planning and environmental acceptability of the proposals. The most significant concern has been with regards to potential highways impacts during any additional operational period. The proposals have been designed based on detailed negotiations with Staffordshire County Council Highways Department to establish viable extraction, export and import levels as well as timescales for restoration. These are outlined in the accompanying ES.
1.5.10 Upon validation of this application, the Extension of Time Application (currently held in abeyance awaiting further information) will be withdrawn, instead being replaced by the details contained in this application. It is noted that Seisdon Quarry has remained operational, in accordance with the previous planning permissions, Extension of Life Application and the proposals contained in the application, in order to progress restoration operations and not unduly delay restoration further awaiting a planning determination. Staffordshire County Council is aware of this situation in expectation of the receipt of this application.
1.5.11 This application also reiterates that there are no significantly different operations proposed compared to the previously permitted situation for the Site. Seisdon Quarry has a long history of
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mineral extraction and a previously established ‘waste’ importation permission to allow for the import of restoration soils and materials. The proposals in this Planning Application are being submitted in order to understand how the continued operations at the quarry will lead to its successful restoration and regularise the planning controls under a single planning permission.
1.6 SUMMARY
1.6.1 The following chapters will describe the development proposals, compliance with the relevant development plan policies, relevant environmental considerations and community engagement.
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2 DEVELOPMENT DETAILS
2.1 THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT
2.1.1 The Site area is shown on the accompanying Proposed Site Layout Plan (ref. CE-SD0609-DW10) and Location Plan (ref. CE-SD0609-DW01). The Site area covers the entire Seisdon Quarry boundary (c. 41.66ha) in order to ensure the restoration of the entire Site is covered by this Planning Application regardless of the limits of any extraction and engineering/restoration works. The individual elements of the proposals are set out below.
Mineral Extraction and Export
2.1.2 The proposals seek to sustainably maximise mineral production within Seisdon Quarry to ensure the most economically viable and important sand and gravel mineral from the Site is not needlessly sterilised and to ensure sufficient material is removed from the quarry to physically and financially support restoration of the Site. As such the highest quality virgin mineral reserves (wet and dry) will be prioritised for extraction from Site. Extraction and export rates are outline below.
Based on negotiations with Staffordshire CC Highways department and confirmed acceptable vehicle movements relating to the operations (refer to ES), a total of around 690,000 tonnes (c. 405,000 m3 @ 1.7 tonnes/ m3) of mineral will be exported from the Site between 1st July 2015 and 31st December 2018.
The annual exportation rate from Seisdon Quarry will be c. 198,000 tonnes per annum, as confirmed with Staffordshire CC Highways Department.
Around 125,000 - 150,000 tonnes is likely to be extracted from the lake area (i.e. wet extraction). Around 540,000 – 565,000 tonnes of aggregate will be recovered from dry extraction areas and previously stockpiled areas.
Extraction operations will cease by 30th June 2018 to enable a 6 month restoration period free of extraction operations. By this date, the level of extraction and ‘muck shift’ will have facilitated much of the landform restoration save for the remaining operational, stockpiling and processing areas.
The current processing plant can accommodate a processing rate of 250,000 – 300,000 tonnes per annum. On average around 10% - 20% of the material extracted from the quarry is processed out as non-marketable material and is returned to the quarry for reuse in restoration.
Extraction from the quarry will be elevated above the export rate with material stockpiled on Site as appropriate. Between 1st July 2018 and 31st December 2018 (a 6 month period) previously stockpiled and extracted aggregates will be exported from Site in accordance with agreed vehicle movements and exportation rates. Any material unlikely to be exported by the 31st December 2018 will be either returned to the quarry for restoration or blended with imported materials to form restoration soils.
2.1.3 Extraction operations are outlined on the Proposed Site Layout Plan (ref. CE-SD0609-DW10). Extraction will be undertaken using a number of long-arm excavators, with other plant (front- loaders, etc.) enabling material movement, regrading and slope reprofiling. Wet extraction will be
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undertaken using long-arm excavators rather than the previously drag line used at the Site. This both facilitates more targeted extraction but also enables remodelling of the lake. All processing will be undertaken using the existing mobile processing plant on Site.
2.1.4 Materials will initially be stockpiled in the existing stocking location areas at the Site or in the case of restoration material, as close to its final point of uses possible. As works progress, restoration is likely to have occurred in higher areas of the quarry, with extraction still occurring within the quarry base. As extraction progresses this will create new stocking areas in the quarry base as well as space to facilitate restoration.
Restoration Materials and Imports
2.1.5 As already outlined, there are extremely limited soil resources available on Site for restoration and previously imported material is insufficient in quantity and quality.
2.1.6 It is proposed to restore agricultural areas with between 0.5m - 1m combined depth of restoration soils/material and other areas (woodland, acid grassland, scrubland, etc.) restored with shallower depths. This does not account for retained rock exposures, escarpments and restoration below the water table (i.e. within the lake).
2.1.7 The total area of land (above the water table) requiring restoration is c. 24 ha of the Site not accounting for slope gradients which will generally vary from around 1 in 2 to 1 in 10.
2.1.8 The restoration material, importation rates and processing details are outlined below:
Up until 31st December 2018, it is proposed to import c. 200,000 tonnes of inert restoration forming material suitable for processing. This is the equivalent of c. 125,000m³ of material.
The material will be processed using the same mineral processing plant present on Site in order to manufacture suitable restoration soils on Site. The material will be blended with on Site soils and overburden, to manufacture sufficient material for restoration.
It is proposed to retain the existing minerals processing plant operational until 31st December 2018 to ensure processing of stockpiled materials and imported materials can be undertaken during the final restoration period.
All imported material will be processed to conform to WRAP Quality Protocols. A Standard Rules Environmental Permit (issued by the Environment Agency) has been secured to allow the processing of imported materials at the Site, to enable to manufacture of restoration soils.
There would be no vehicle movement implications from importation, as the material would be backhauled using vehicles relating to the export of mineral.
2.1.9 It is envisaged that upon processing around 75% of the imported material will be directly be able to be used in the surface level restoration of the Site. A small element of the material will be reject or unsuitable restoration material that will either need to be buried on Site (used as sub-surface restoration material) or rejected from Site.
2.1.10 It is proposed that the planning permission also allows for an element (around 10 - 15%) of the imported recycled material to be exported from the Site as a Secondary or Recycled Aggregate. Once blended with on Site material, the composite material may not be wholly suitable for
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restoration purposes but equally meets the quality standards of secondary and recycled materials that are marketable products. The intention is not to create a recycling facility but to recognise that some of the material would be better suited as a secondary/ recycled aggregate, rather than used directly in restoration as a by-product of the manufacture of restoration soils. The material would be exported alongside other aggregates, as proposed, up until 31st December 2018.
Mineral Extraction/Processing Equipment and Machinery
2.1.11 Over the history of the quarry, the majority of equipment has been upgraded or replaced in order to:
1. Improve the efficiency of mineral extraction and processing operations;
2. Comply with any relevant regulations;
3. Ensure the equipment is fit for purpose and operates to the best practical environmental standards, limiting the potential for nuisance noise, dust and other emissions to affect any local amenity.
2.1.12 In addition to the mobile mineral processing and wash plant, currently located in the mineral processing area (as shown on drawing CE-SD0609-DW10), the following machinery and mobile plant will be used on Site during the ongoing operations.
Komatsu HM400-3 Articulated Truck (number of units to be determined on development requirements – around 3 Nr)
Komatsu WA470-7 and WA380-7 Wheel-loaders (number of units to be determined on development requirements – around 4 -6 Nr)
Komatsu PC490 Hydraulic Excavator
Komatsu HB215LC-1 Advanced Hybrid Hydraulic Excavator
McCloskey Cone Crusher and/or Jaw Crusher
Restoration and After-Use Considerations
2.1.13 The approved restoration scheme (ref: SD610-D1C) for the Site is primarily for Nature Conservation benefit, with steeper slopes and the landform limiting its agricultural potential, within an agricultural landscape. The previously approved restoration scheme is likely to limit the sustainable long-term afteruse options for the Site. The steepness of various parts of the landform also limits potential management as well as any permissive access that may be afforded.
2.1.14 The approved restoration does not appear to give clear direction in terms of the long-term management of the Site (beyond the aftercare period), with the beneficial afteruse of the Site being limited to low intensity pasture grazing (over only part of the Site), which is unlikely to generate sufficient income to manage the wider site and would be of limited interest to potential agricultural tenants. In turn, the Nature Conservation value of the Site may diminish with time as management of the habitats becomes less economically viable. It also appears as though the Site would remain in private ownership as the operator is unaware of interest from the Council or other public body to take on the Site.
2.1.15 The Revised Restoration Scheme (as shown at dwg. CE-SD0609-DW09) has been designed in
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accordance with the following principles:
Ensuring the restoration landform achieves an average gradient of 1 in 8 wherever practical, in order to accommodate more productive agriculture and generate a long term income to manage the Site. The intention is to ensure where possible the maximum slope gradient is 1 in 4, in accordance with Staffordshire Supplementary Planning Guidance ‘Planning for Landscape Change’.
The landform has been designed to provide more gradual slope transitions and a less variable landform, offering a smoother transition from the surrounding landscape to the quarry base.
The landform and the agricultural fields have been revised to more closely replicate the surrounding landscape, given the context of the quarry Site.
In addition to the areas of open water (lake), where steeper slopes are required to be retained, these will be prioritised for Nature Conservation value and geodiversity, through the restoration of acid grassland scrub and woodland.
The Revised Restoration Scheme is designed to accord with the Supplementary Planning Guidance ‘Planning for Landscape Change’ and the prevalent landscape character and guidelines for the area, as far as practical given the existing use of the Site.
A number of bespoke interventions will be made on steeper slopes in the quarry, including escarpments, retained geological outcrops and potentially and artificial sand martin bank and invertebrate projects.
The lake has been made accessible such that it will be potentially suitable for angling/bird watching, should the opportunity arise. The lake feature would have both a combined Nature Conservation and potential recreational benefit and can generate a further income stream for the management of the overall Site.
2.1.16 Further to the above, the field off Church Lane (to the rear of properties at Ebstree Meadow) is to be offered for community benefit such as a dog walking area/pocket park, at an early opportunity whilst works continue in the quarry. It remains unclear whether Seisdon and Trysull Parish Council or the local authority will take ownership of the area in terms of long term management. Should the future public use of this are not be secured, an alternative use of the land will be secured.
2.1.17 An assessment of the Revised Restoration Scheme and conformity with local planning guidance/landscape character is provided within the accompany ES.
2.1.18 Overall, the Revised Restoration Scheme seeks for the restoration of the Site to facilitate a long- term beneficial afteruse that can support/fund the management of the rest of the Site, as well as being multi-functional. This is achieved via ensuring the landform between the surrounding landscape and quarry base has smooth transitions and a limited number of steep slopes, allowing larger, more regular shaped agricultural fields. The restoration is primarily accommodated by the level of extraction proposed which both achieves the desired landform and finances the restoration proposals.
2.1.19 The Revised Restoration (CE-SD0609-DW09) proposals have been modelled based on the various extraction scenarios. An outline of the volume requirements are set out in the table below.
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Table 1 Restoration Volume Requirements Action / Material Usage Volume (m3) Material Remaining on Site (from extraction envelope) c. 270,000 available for restoration Import c. 125,000 Sub-Total – Material Available for Restoration c. 395,000 Fill Balance to Achieve Restoration Landform c. 340,000 (compared to extraction envelope) Surplus material available for Lake Restoration c. 55,000 (shallows, regrading, islands, etc.)
2.1.20 In order to achieve the Revised Restoration Scheme, avoiding further delays, the Applicant proposes the following (being conditioned on any future permission):
1. The restoration is undertaken in a Phased manner as indicated on the plans.
2. That monitoring visits be undertaken at a maximum interval of 6 months. This will be to monitor progress of mineral extraction and restoration.
3. Updated topographic and volume calculations will be undertaken annually.
4. Should it become clear during the monitoring visits that remedial measures are required to achieve the proposals, these will be agreed on Site and formalised with the Mineral Planning Authority.
2.2 RATE OF EXPORT/IMPORTATION AND VEHICLE MOVEMENTS
2.2.1 The Proposed Development allows for:
The extraction and export of up to 690,000 tonnes of sand and gravel (as well as minor exports levels relating to secondary aggregate and materials unsuitable for use in restoration); and
The import of circa 200,000 tonnes of inert materials for use in restoration.
2.2.2 Export and import will be undertaken up to 31st December 2018. All export and import of material will be via 20 tonne HGVs.
2.2.3 The proposals will result in an average of 36 HGV loads leaving the Site per full working day (an average of 72 HGV movements in and out of the quarry). The operations are undertaken over a 5 ½ day working week as per the current operational hours. The average material export will be 198,000 tonnes per annum. The average number of HGV loads leaving the Site per hour will be 3-4.
2.2.4 All imported material will be backhauled in to the Site, using HGVs used for exporting mineral. There will be no additional vehicle movements over and above those stated above in relation to imported material.
2.2.5 The exportation and resultant vehicle movements have been agreed in consultation with Staffordshire County Council Highways Department. A Transport Assessment is included in the Environmental Statement.
2.2.6 The vast majority of vehicles will travel via Ebstree Road, heading eastwards away from the quarry and not through Seisdon village. A limited number of vehicles will be permitted to travel through
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Seisdon Village for the purpose of undertaking local deliveries west and northwest of Seisdon. There will be limits on the number of HGVs which can travel through Seisdon village as outlined in the Transport Assessment. Where journeys through Seisdon are not necessary, they will not be undertaken. The routing arrangements and vehicle limits have been prescribed and agreed with Staffordshire County Council Highways Department.
2.3 HOURS OF OPERATION
2.3.1 These will remain unchanged in accordance with Condition 10 of planning permission SS.08/08/627 M:
“No operations hereby permitted shall be carried out except between the hours of 0700 to 1800 hours Monday to Friday and 0800 to 1300 hours Saturday. No operations other than water pumping shall be carried out on Sundays, Bank Holidays and Public Holidays.”
2.4 SITE SECURITY, STAFFING AND ACCOMODATION
2.4.1 The Site is not subject to any security issues currently, with entrances secured by secure fencing and railing as required. All equipment is secured within the Site. There are no additional security measures envisaged.
2.4.2 Staffing levels are unlikely to change from current existing levels; however, additional operatives may be required at Site to facilitate restoration, should any part of the restoration programme be delayed. It is noted that JPE Holdings Ltd is a significant local employer.
2.4.3 Accommodation, comprising the Site/Weighbridge Office and Welfare Facilities will remain unchanged for the duration of operations and are fit for purpose.
2.5 ESTIMATED LIFE OF OPERATIONS
2.5.1 The proposed operational cessation dates are outlined below:
Extraction of in-situ mineral reserves will cease by 30th June 2018.
Import of restoration material will cease by 31st December 2018.
Processing (inclusive of crushing and screening operations) of stockpiled material and restoration/imported material will cease by 31st December 2018.
Export of mineral reserves, resultant secondary aggregate (unusable in restoration) and other unsuitable material will cease by 31st December 2018.
Landform restoration and soils placement at the Site will be achieved by 31st December 2018.
2.5.2 Wherever possible, all seeding and planting will be undertaken during the proposed timescales (in accordance with phasing strategy outlined on the plans). However, depending on the prevalent weather conditions, in order to suitably cultivate and grade the Site, final planting and seeding of some areas may need to be undertaken between January 2019 to March 2019 inclusive. This will be reviewed during the following aftercare period as necessary.
2.5.3 Should it become clear during the 6 monthly monitoring visits that progress in meeting the
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deadlines is insufficient, the restoration and profile will be reviewed and amended accordingly to ensure the Site is satisfactorily restored by 31st December 2018.
2.6 MINERAL DEMAND AND JUSTIFICATION
2.6.1 As previously stated, Seisdon is the last operational quarry in southwest Staffordshire. The Site primarily serves the mineral demands of southwest Staffordshire, western edge of the West Midlands Conurbation and eastern edge of Shropshire. There are currently no other operational quarries in this area with potential to supply the local mineral demand of Seisdon Quarry. It is also noted that Seisdon Quarry has all the infrastructure, staffing and equipment in place, in order to undertake mineral operations. Under the emerging Staffordshire Minerals Local Plan, Seisdon Quarry is also highlighted as a Safeguarded ‘Minerals Infrastructure Site’.
2.6.2 Without the mineral from Seisdon, development projects and other consumers would have to source mineral from alternative Sites, further afield and at increased cost and transport distances. Equally, other quarry resources may be pressured and diverted from their core market areas.
Mineral Orders/Interest
2.6.3 In order to provide for the extraction volume of 690,000 tonnes up to 31st December 2018, the quarry needs to export c. 16,000 tonnes of mineral per month on average.
2.6.4 The single largest mineral order for Seisdon Quarry relates to the provision of aggregate to a business in Bilston producing mortars for construction. This ongoing contract totals around 300 – 400 tonnes of mineral export per day. This accounts for around 8000 tonnes of mineral per month on average – accounting for around 50% of the required extraction rate. This is an ongoing secured contract.
2.6.5 The remaining extraction volume will be supplied to other smaller contracts and one off orders, as is currently the case. Since the beginning of 2015, orders and interest have steadily increased. Current and future mineral demand indicates that if necessary the quarry could sustain in excess of 750 tonnes per day export, in terms of mineral orders.
2.6.6 Overall, the quarry will sustain average export in the region of 700 – 750 tonnes per day (equivalent to an average of 36 loads per day as agreed with the highways department), with over 50% or more of this supplied under a single secured contract.
Potential Extraction and Mineral Reserve
2.6.7 The current planning application (ref. SS.13/17/627 M (‘the Extension of Time Application’)), submitted under Section 73 of the Town and Country Planning Act on 20th November 2013, anticipated that Seisdon Quarry had around 300,000 tonnes of extractable mineral, up to 31st December 2016. However, a review of operations in 2014 identified between 1.2mt and 1.3mt extractable material within the Site. The previously proposed extraction level in the 2013 application was also unlikely to achieve the approved restoration with a significant amount of imported restoration material required. Equally, the previously proposed extraction level also does not account for around 280,000 tonnes of virgin high quality mineral remaining at the Site, irrespective of other mineral reserves contained in the non-virgin mineral areas.
2.6.8 A higher level of extraction is also required compared to the 2013 application in order to create a
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more viable landform for a sustainable restoration scheme. A higher level of extraction would also provide the financial resources to restore the Site to a high environmental standard.
2.6.9 Based on the acceptable vehicle movements and timeframes agreed with the SCC Highways Department, the maximum export of in-situ material from the Site by 31st December 2018, would be 690,000 tonnes. This will:
Ensure the best and most marketable (predominantly virgin) mineral is extracted, made available as an economic resource and not sterilised.
Ensure local mineral demand is fulfilled, with a new quarry likely to be required to serve the southwest Staffordshire market area within the next 3 – 5 years.
Ensure the level of export is acceptable in terms of vehicle movements and pertinent highways concerns.
Ensure the level of extraction is sufficient to achieve a suitable restoration landform, and subsequent restoration of the Site (with long-term beneficial after-use).
Ensure the restoration and subsequent aftercare of the Site is financially viable, funded via mineral extraction and sales.
2.6.10 We would reiterate to the Minerals Planning Authority that the proposals contained in this application would sterilise c. 400,000 – 500,000 tonnes of potential mineral reserves. This material will be reused in the restoration of the Site.
2.6.11 The proposed 6 monthly monitoring visits will monitor extraction progress.
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3 POLICY
3.1 GENERAL
3.1.1 This chapter provides an overview of the policy context within which the Proposed Development is justified.
3.1.2 Section 38(6) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, requires decisions to be taken in accordance with the Development Plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise. The Development Plan consists of the following most relevant documents, according to their saved policies:
Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Minerals Local Plan 1994 – 2006 (Adopted December 1999)
Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Joint Waste Local Plan 2010 - 2026 (Adopted March 2013)
3.1.3 Prior to assessing how the Proposed Development complies with the relevant development plan policy, it is necessary to review the proposal against national planning policy, which provides a national policy framework for Local Planning Authorities, developers and other relevant stakeholders.
3.2 NATIONAL POLICY
National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)1
3.2.1 The current national planning policies for England, and direction as to how they should be applied, are set out in the National Planning Policy Framework 2012.
3.2.2 The NPPF states that “at the heart of the National Planning Policy Framework is a presumption in favour of sustainable development, which should be seen as a golden thread running through both plan-making and decision-taking.”
“For decision-taking this means:
approving development proposals that accord with the development plan without delay; and
where the development plan is absent, silent or relevant policies are out-of‑date, granting permission unless:
∙ any adverse impacts of doing so would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits, when assessed against the policies in this Framework taken as a whole; or
∙ specific policies in this Framework indicate development should be restricted.”
3.2.3 As will be outlined further, the Proposed Development is considered to accord with the development plan and the current planning documents present in Staffordshire.
3.2.4 The NPPF sets out twelve core planning principles which outline the policies under which Local Planning Authorities should develop Local Development Plan Documents and make decisions. In relation to the Proposed Development, these include:
1 National Planning Policy Framework – DCLG, March 2012
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“proactively drive and support sustainable economic development to deliver the homes, business and industrial units, infrastructure and thriving local places that the country needs. Every effort should be made objectively to identify and then meet the housing, business and other development needs of an area, and respond positively to wider opportunities for growth….;
always seek to secure high quality design and a good standard of amenity for all existing and future occupants of land and buildings;
take account of the different roles and character of different areas, promoting the vitality of our main urban areas, protecting the Green Belts around them, recognising the intrinsic character and beauty of the countryside and supporting thriving rural communities within it;
support the transition to a low carbon future in a changing climate, taking full account of flood risk and coastal change, and encourage the reuse of existing resources, including conversion of existing buildings, and encourage the use of renewable resources (for example, by the development of renewable energy);
contribute to conserving and enhancing the natural environment and reducing pollution. Allocations of land for development should prefer land of lesser environmental value, where consistent with other policies in this Framework;
encourage the effective use of land by reusing land that has been previously developed (brownfield land), provided that it is not of high environmental value;
promote mixed use developments, and encourage multiple benefits from the use of land in urban and rural areas, recognising that some open land can perform many functions (such as for wildlife, recreation, flood risk mitigation, carbon storage, or food production);
conserve heritage assets in a manner appropriate to their significance, so that they can be enjoyed for their contribution to the quality of life of this and future generations;
actively manage patterns of growth to make the fullest possible use of public transport, walking and cycling, and focus significant development in locations which are or can be made sustainable; and
take account of and support local strategies to improve health, social and cultural wellbeing for all, and deliver sufficient community and cultural facilities and services to meet local needs.”
3.2.5 These principles are taken forward in a number of policy areas aimed at delivering sustainable development including:
Facilitating the sustainable use of minerals
Building a strong, competitive economy
Supporting a prosperous rural economy
Protecting Green Belt land
Conserving and enhancing the natural environment
3.2.6 The Proposed Development is considered to meet the requirements and principles of these
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individual policy areas.
Facilitating the sustainable use of minerals
3.2.7 At paragraph 142, the NPPF states that “Minerals are essential to support sustainable economic growth and our quality of life. It is therefore important that there is a sufficient supply of material to provide the infrastructure, buildings, energy and goods that the country needs. However, since minerals are a finite natural resource, and can only be worked where they are found, it is important to make best use of them to secure their long-term conservation”.
3.2.8 Local authorities should also adopt “appropriate policies in order that known locations of specific minerals resources of local and national importance are not needlessly sterilised by non-mineral development” and “encourage the prior extraction of minerals, where practicable and environmentally feasible, if it is necessary for non-mineral development to take place.”
3.2.9 At the same time, policy should “ensure worked land is reclaimed at the earliest opportunity, taking account of aviation safety, and that high quality restoration and aftercare of mineral sites takes place, including for agriculture (safeguarding the long term potential of best and most versatile agricultural land and conserving soil resources), geodiversity, biodiversity, native woodland, the historic environment and recreation”.
3.2.10 At paragraph 144, the NPPF states “When determining planning applications, local planning authorities should:
give great weight to the benefits of the mineral extraction, including to the economy;… and
provide for restoration and aftercare at the earliest opportunity to be carried out to high environmental standards”.
3.2.11 The NPPF also requires that authorities plan for the steady and adequate supply of aggregates, whilst also encouraging secondary aggregates. These policies are reinforced by Planning Practice Guidance.
Comment:
3.2.12 National policy is clear that known and locally important mineral resources should not be needlessly sterilised. It also recognises that worked-land should be restored at the earliest opportunity to the highest possible environmental standards and Sites should have a sustainable afteruse.
3.2.13 The proposals sustainably maximise the mineral extraction at Seisdon Quarry. Seisdon Quarry is an important local resource, being the only operational quarry in southwest Staffordshire. Ensuring as much marketable mineral is recovered from Seisdon as possible is a critical planning consideration. Putting the Site in to restoration effectively sterilises the available mineral reserves with no future extraction likely.
3.2.14 The proposals recognise that restoring the Site as early as possible is also an important planning consideration. In any event, regardless of the level of any mineral extraction, a substantial undertaking is required to restore the Site, which would be both time consuming and costly, with no guarantee of a sustainable beneficial after-use.
3.2.15 The remaining mineral extraction will facilitate an improved final restoration landform and fund the
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restoration operations and aftercare.
3.2.16 The proposals have been designed to accommodate the restoration of the Site by 31st December 2018, with subsequent aftercare.
3.2.17 Given the level of required works and the remaining mineral reserve, an opportunity has been taken to ensure as much of the Site as possible is restored for more productive agriculture, whilst also retaining the high levels of nature conservation interest. Additionally, land off Church Lane is also proposed as a ‘pocket park’ and the lake will be designed such that it would be viable for angling and bird watching, potentially providing enhanced recreational value in future years. This accords with National Policy in returning worked Sites to high environmental standards and a high quality restoration for agriculture and nature conservation. This will also help to secure the Sites long-term beneficial afteruse.
3.2.18 In accordance with national policy, the planning authority should also give all due weight to maintaining local supply. As the only operational quarry in southwest Staffordshire, the local authority should proactively protect the mineral resources at Seisdon to supply local markets (with Seisdon Quarry subject to considerable consumer interest and minerals orders). The additional extraction period up 31st December 2018 and up to 690,000 tonnes of mineral is reasonable to sustain local economic development and construction projects, whilst also allowing sufficient time and resources to successfully restore the Site. Beyond the life of Seisdon Quarry, an additional quarry resource will need to become operational to serve this sub-regional market area, with long- term supplementation of the local market by mineral from further afield being unsustainable.
3.2.19 It is noted that a large amount of potential minerals reserves will be unrealised from the Site, reused in restoration, such that further delays to the restoration of the Site do not occur.
3.2.20 Various alternatives have also been considered. Higher extraction rates were considered to restore the Site quicker. This was deemed to lead to an unacceptable uplift in vehicle movements. Maintaining approved annual mineral production levels were also considered, however this was considered to either delay restoration of the Site beyond 2018 (most likely leading to restoration in 2020 or 2021) or, assuming an end date of 31st December 2018, would lead to an unacceptable sterilising of mineral, result in insufficient material being extracted from Site to achieve a sustainable beneficial after-use and insufficient income would be generated to fund and achieve a high quality restoration and aftercare.
3.2.21 The proposals are the result of extensive negotiations with the Mineral Planning Authority and represent the most economically viable solution to enabling the restoration of the Site, without needlessly sterilising mineral, in an appropriate timeframe.
3.2.22 Equally, whilst Seisdon is not proposed to be a commercial recycling operation, the proposals ensure economically valuable secondary aggregates manufactured as a by-product of processing operations that would be unsuitable in restoration, will be diverted to an appropriate construction afteruse.
Building a strong, competitive economy
3.2.23 Paragraph 20 of the NPPF states that “To help achieve economic growth, local planning authorities should plan proactively to meet the development needs of business and support an economy fit for the 21st century”. Supporting economic growth and development should be given “significant weight” in the planning system.
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3.2.24 Economic growth and development can only be facilitated where there is a readily available supply of aggregates. As stated above, Seisdon Quarry will help sustain mineral supply in southwest Staffordshire, where there is a deficit of other mineral production Sites. Therefore, the marinating of mineral supplies from Seisdon Quarry should be afforded “significant weight” in the decision making process, whereby the proposed timeframes and extraction volumes are the most economically viable solution to restoring the Site in an appropriate timeframe. It is noted that the remaining potential mineral reserves at the Site will be reused in restoration and not extracted due to the overall intention of restoring the Site by 31st December 2018.
Supporting a prosperous rural economy
3.2.25 Section 3 of the NPPF requires that “Planning policies should support economic growth in rural areas in order to create jobs and prosperity by taking a positive approach to sustainable new development. To promote a strong rural economy, local and neighbourhood plans should:
support the sustainable growth and expansion of all types of business and enterprise in rural areas, both through conversion of existing buildings and well-designed new buildings;
promote the development and diversification of agricultural and other land-based rural businesses;
support sustainable rural tourism and leisure developments that benefit businesses in rural areas, communities and visitors, and which respect the character of the countryside. This should include supporting the provision and expansion of tourist and visitor facilities in appropriate locations where identified needs are not met by existing facilities in rural service centres; and
promote the retention and development of local services and community facilities in villages, such as local shops, meeting places, sports venues, cultural buildings, public houses and places of worship.
3.2.26 The operator of Seisdon Quarry is a significant local employer in Staffordshire and existing quarry staff will be retained in employment throughout the life of the proposals.
3.2.27 The proposals have also taken the opportunity to ensure the restoration of the Site maximises the viability of the Site for productive and sustainable agriculture (an important rural activity), whilst also providing substantial areas of Nature Conservation interest. Equally, the lake is potentially viable for use as a recreational facility (angling and bird watching) and a pocket park is proposed as part of the proposals. The restoration proposals for the Site aim to ensure there is a long-term economically viable agricultural after-use for the Site as well as potentially providing recreational opportunities in the future. The proposals are considered to comply with National Policy.
Protecting Green Belt land and Conserving and enhancing the natural environment
3.2.28 It is recognised that the Site falls within the Green Belt; however, the NPPF reiterates that minerals developments are not necessarily inappropriate in the Green Belt. Seisdon Quarry is a long standing quarry in operation for over 60 years. Paragraph 81 of the NPPF states that “local planning authorities should plan positively to enhance the beneficial use of the Green Belt, such as looking for opportunities to provide access; to provide opportunities for outdoor sport and recreation; to retain and enhance landscapes, visual amenity and biodiversity; or to improve damaged and derelict land.” The restoration proposals seek to address many of these opportunities. The proposals do not
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conflict with the purposes of the Green Belt as this is not new development and will not unduly affect the openness of the Green Belt over and above the current situation. The proposals have been designed to facilitate the restoration of the Site and enhance the natural environment in accordance with Section 11 of the NPPF. As such, the proposals are considered to progressively and positively enhance the Green Belt.
National Planning Policy for Waste (2014)
3.2.29 National waste planning policy is covered separately by the National Planning Policy for Waste (October 2014). Whilst the Site is primarily a quarry, it is proposed to import up to 200,000 tonnes of inert restoration forming material to the Site for the purposes of restoration and the manufacture of restoration soils. The proposals do not comprise a landfill operation.
3.2.30 National waste policy advocates the Waste Hierarchy (see Diagram 1). This advocates that as much waste as possible should be diverted away from disposal towards recovery and re-use.
Diagram 1 The Waste Hierarchy
3.2.31 Any imported material will be inert, imported for restoration purposes. This complies with national planning policy by ensuring the imported material is diverted away from disposal towards the recovery and re-use of the material to restore the Site to a beneficial afteruse.
3.2.32 This is also a more sustainable and financially viable option compared to the import of clean topsoils from a greenfield Site.
3.2.33 The on-Site manufacture of the restoration material will be further controlled by a Standard Rules Environmental Permit for the Screening of inert materials to comply with the WRAP quality protocol. This Permit has already been secured for the Site. As such, material will be processed to manufacture a restoration product with no ‘waste’ being directly placed in the Quarry.
3.2.34 As such the proposals are considered to accord with the principles of national waste policy.
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3.3 STAFFORDSHIRE AND STOKE-ON-TRENT MINERALS LOCAL PLAN 1994-2006
3.3.1 Many of the policies of the Mineral Local Plan were not saved, being replaced by Structure Plan and Regional Plan policies which have since been revoked. In particular, there are few saved policies specifically relevant to the proposals with regards to sand and gravel extraction from Chapter 8 of the Mineral Local Plan. Where policy is absent from the local plan, the NPPF and other national policy should take precedence. There are a number of relevant saved policies as outlined below.
3.3.2 Overall, the Minerals Local Plan does not support sterilising mineral. Paragraph 3.15 states “because of the limited availability of certain minerals and difficulties in bringing forward sites which can be worked in an environmentally acceptable manner, it is important to ensure that minerals are not needlessly sterilised”. The Site falls within a Minerals Safeguarding Area for Sand and Gravel.
Plate 7 Policy 9
3.3.3 It is a necessity of the proposals for extraction and restoration to be undertaken concurrently, to ensure in situ material remaining on Site can accessed and reworked to create the proposed restoration landform. The proposals include for phased restoration, to progressively bring an increasing proportion of the Site in to a beneficial afteruse. In terms of extraction, primary operations will relate to the wet extraction operations (best quality mineral) and dry mineral reserves adjacent to the lake in the quarry base. During mineral extraction operations, other unrestored areas of the quarry will continue to be extracted, reworked and modelled in order to provide for the restoration landform. It is also proposed that 6 monthly monitoring is undertaken to
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monitor progress of the phased restoration and extraction operations to ensure the proposed restoration end date can be achieved.
3.3.4 The duration of the life of Seisdon Quarry and the nature and depth of the operations mean that it is difficult to entirely replicate the pre-existing landform and adjacent landscape with significant infilling and a landfill operation – this is deemed inappropriate for the Site. The Revised Restoration proposals, amend the approved restoration scheme, by providing less fluctuation in level changes and allowing for more gradual slope transitions across the Site and in to the quarry base. In turn, this allows for more regular and larger field patterns that will be of greater agricultural potential securing the long term afteruse and management of the Site, as well as suitably marrying in with the surrounding landscape and levels. Nature Conservation interests have also been included across extensive areas of the Site. Overall, the Revised Restoration Scheme is deemed appropriate to the Site, providing a long-term sustainable afteruse and management, with enhanced landscape and nature conservation opportunities and potential recreation opportunities, within this area of Green Belt.
3.3.5 Overall, the proposals are considered to comply with Policy 9.
Plate 8 Policy 12
3.3.6 Seisdon Quarry is a longstanding quarry near to Seisdon village. There are a number of dwellings in close proximity to the Site boundary. Overall, the operations have been undertaken without significant complaints, with amenity issues such as noise, dust, air quality, etc. all subject to controls via planning conditions. It is considered that the proposals will not lead to any significant increase in dust, noise or other amenity issues over and above the existing situation. Given the existing planning controls and the best practice measures employed at the quarry, the proposals are considered acceptable in relation to Policy 12, with the purpose of the application to facilitate restoration of the Site by 31st December 2018 and thus ceasing all quarry activities.
3.3.7 The Site does not fall within or adjacent to sites nationally or locally designated for nature conservation and cultural heritage purposes. The proposals are not considered to affect any such designations further afield. The restoration of the Site will lead to substantial habitat and landscape improvements over and above the existing situation. The proposals are considered to comply with MLP Policy 19 and 20.
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3.3.8
Plate 9 Policy 21
3.3.9 The Site is well screened by a combination of mature boundary tree planting, screening bunds and close board fencing at the Site boundary, which effectively screens the majority of operational activities within the quarry base for local residents adjacent to the Site. Equally, with operations now contained to central and lower areas of the Site, they are predominantly screened from view from the surrounding landscape. The higher levels of the Site visible from surrounding areas have been restored and will be largely unaffected by the proposals (other than for remedial restoration purposes where necessary).
3.3.10 The Revised Restoration allows for smoother transitional level changes and more consistent level changes between adjacent ground levels and the quarry base. This is more in keeping with the gently undulating nature of the landscape. The current approved restoration has more variable level changes and steeper contours on average, which are not wholly in keeping with the surrounding landscape.
3.3.11 The Revised Restoration incorporates a number of distinctive habitats that are appropriate to the landscape and in keeping with the landscape character of the areas. Overall, a mosaic of habitats and appropriate landform will be restored, sustaining a multi-functional agricultural and nature conservation/amenity landuses. Overall, the proposals are considered to accord with Policy 21.
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3.3.12 The current access arrangements and the proposed vehicle movements (and proportional routing) as agreed with SCC Highway Department are considered to accord with MLP Policies 30 and 31.
3.3.13 The Proposed Development and Revised Restoration has been designed to comply with the Code of Practice for minerals developments as pert the Minerals Local Plan, in particular the principles at laid out in Appendix 5 paragraphs 83 and 84. Wherever achievable, the landform will have a maximum slope gradient of 1 in 4, with steeper slopes retained for geological and nature conservation purposes. Overall, the landform seeks to create a landform where slopes at 1 in 4 and steeper, form a minority of the Site and as much of the land as possible is at an average gradient of 1 in 8, being much more viable for agriculture. Overall, the Revised Restoration provides for fewer steeper slopes and a smother transitional landform compared to the previously approved restoration scheme.
3.3.14 The restoration landform and restoration soils will be created using in situ materials, overburden and manufacturing restoration soils using imported restoration material blended with indigenous materials. This is in accordance with the Code of Practice, whilst also ensuring the minimum amount of material is imported to the Site as necessary to satisfactorily restore the Site.
3.3.15 Overall, the Proposed Development is considered to accord with the policies and guidance contained in the Mineral Local Plan.
3.4 STAFFORDSHIRE AND STOKE-ON-TRENT JOINT WASTE LOCAL PLAN 2010-2026
3.4.1 The recently adopted Waste Local Plan sets out waste policy for Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.
3.4.2 Policy 1.3: Construction, demolition and excavation waste, states that “Recycling of construction, demolition & excavation waste and the diversion of inert waste to quarries requiring backfill for restoration purposes will be favoured over new inert landfill / landraising proposals”. The proposals allow for c. 125,000m3 of inert restoration materials to be reused in the manufacture of suitable restoration soils for use in the satisfactory restoration of the Site, rather than being diverted to alternate landfill or landraising facilities. The proposals do not constitute a landfill operation and only allow for sufficient material such that a suitable depth of soils can be restored to the Site (where restoration soils are predominantly absent from Site). The proposals accord with Policy 1.3.
3.4.3 The proposed importation is not directly related to any recycling facility, with the purpose of the importation and subsequent processing to facilitate restoration of the Site. As such, the proposals accord with Policy 3.3.
3.4.4 The importation of restoration materials and manufacture of restoration soils are not considered to give rise to any environmental concerns over and above the existing situation. As these operations will facilitate the restoration of Seisdon Quarry, the proposals are considered to accord with Policy 4.2, Protection of Environmental Quality. This is supported by Paragraph 5.69 which states that “recycling may be acceptable at existing mineral or landfill sites provided that it is related to the lawful/permitted use of the land” and where the imported material is “processed as part of the restoration process with a reasonable proportion of the material remaining on site”.
3.4.5 Overall, the Proposed Development is considered to accord with the policies of Waste Local Plan.
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3.5 OTHER POLICY
3.5.1 The South Staffordshire District Council Core Strategy DPD was adopted December 2012. Whilst the plan does not contain minerals or waste policies, other policies contained in the DPD may be a material planning consideration. These include Policies GB1 (Development in the Green Belt)
3.5.2 Policy GB1 states that development will be permitted where “the carrying out of engineering or other operations, or the making of a material change of use of land, where the works or use proposed would have no material effect on the openness of the Green Belt, or the fulfilment of its purposes”. The Proposed Development is to facilitate the restoration of the Seisdon Quarry by the end of 2018. The proposals are not considered to materially affect the openness of the Green Belt over and above the current situation, or conflict with the purposes of the Green Belt. In accordance with NPPF Green Belt policy, the restoration of the Site will enhance the landscape, restoring a mosaic of desirable habitats and providing a long-term sustainable agricultural and nature conservation afteruse. In any event, an extension in time to complete operations is required to facilitate restoration of the Site. The proposals have been designed to enable the restoration by the end of 2018 whilst also complying with other minerals policy. The proposals accord with Policy GB1.
3.5.3 As the proposals have been designed to enable the enhanced restoration of the Site, without causing and new or substantial adverse environmental and amenity effects over and above the existing situation, the proposals are also considered to comply with Core Policy 2 (Protecting and Enhancing the Natural and Historic Environment), Policy EQ1: Protecting, Expanding and Enhancing Natural Assets, Policy EQ3 (Conservation, Preservation and Protection of Heritage Assets) and Policy EQ4 (Protecting and Enhancing the Character and Appearance of the Landscape).
3.5.4 Staffordshire County Council is currently developing a new Minerals Local Plan. Emerging minerals policy states in Strategic Objective 1 that the plan seeks to “ensure that important economic mineral resources are not needlessly sterilised”. Emerging Policy 1 directs that in achieving minerals supply, this will be secured primarily from existing permitted reserves and mineral site extensions, rather than new Site. Emerging policies 4.5 and 6.3 encourage mineral operators to introduce higher environmental standards during working, restoration and aftercare and encourage developers to regularly review their restoration strategy. Key diagram 5 shows the location of Seisdon Quarry as the only existing (operational) sand and gravel Site in southwest Staffordshire.
3.5.5 Overall, the proposals accord with emerging policy by ensuring an economically important mineral reserve is not needlessly sterilised in a market area where Seisdon Quarry is the only commercially operational sand and gravel quarry between Wolverhampton and Shropshire. The proposals have also sought to provide restoration, nature conservation and landscape enhancements over and above the existing situation and the previously approved restoration plan, whilst also ensuring the proposals allow for a long-term sustainable agricultural afteruse.
3.6 COMMENTARY
3.6.1 It is considered that the Proposed Development complies with national and local planning policies and Government guidelines in terms of ensuring economically important mineral is not sterilised In particular but also seeking to ensure that Seisdon Quarry is restored by the 31st December 2018. Furthermore, the Site falls outside any other environmentally sensitive location such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest, National Parks, international conversation sites, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, World Heritage Sites, Special Protection Areas, Special Areas of Conservation and
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Ramsar sites. The Revised Restoration has been designed to provide a multi-functional afteruse where its long-term management is productive and sustainable, able to financially sustain the management of the wider areas of habitat creation and Nature Conservation interest.
3.6.2 Overall, the proposals accord with development plan policies and are commended to the Minerals Planning Authority both in terms of sustaining minerals supply in the southwest Staffordshire Area for a relatively short term duration whilst also allowing for enhanced restoration opportunities, where the Site is currently unable to enter full restoration. The proposals are considered to be Sustainable Development where there is a presumption in favour of approval.
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4 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
4.1 NOISE
4.1.1 The Site is a long established quarry. No new operations are proposed over and above the existing operations, other than the rate of extraction and export will marginally increase.
4.1.2 Noise emissions from the Site are controlled via Conditions 17 and 18 of Planning Permission SS.08.08.627 M, inclusive of a noise management and monitoring plan. It was previously agreed with Staffordshire County Council (prior to 2010), that regular noise monitoring was no longer required at the quarry as previous noise monitoring had shown that the quarry noise was barely audible from the receptor monitoring locations.
4.1.3 The permitted noise levels emanating from the quarry operations as recorded at the receptor monitoring locations (as agreed in the noise monitoring plan) shall not exceed 55dB LAeq 1hr or 10dB(A)Leq. 1hr free field above L90 background noise levels (whichever is the greater). Previous monitoring has shown the combination of ambient noise conditions at the monitoring locations, inclusive of any noise emissions from the quarry, have not exceeded the specified limits.
4.1.4 Current and ongoing operations have not resulted in any noise complaints and no noise concerns have been raised during monitoring visits. In recent years, equipment at use on the Site has also been upgraded to be more efficient and further limit noise emissions where possible. All equipment/machinery/plant are modern and fitted with silencers where appropriate and maintained in accordance with manufactures instructions. All operations are constrained to the working quarry areas.
4.1.5 In order to protect amenity, all operations are restricted to the Site opening hours with no night time working or working before 0700 hours on weekdays. No working is undertaken on Saturday afternoons, Sundays or Bank Holidays.
4.1.6 Equally, the associated traffic movements relating to the proposals would not lead to any significant increase in traffic over and above the baseline situation. The majority of quarry movements are directed away from Seisdon village, with movements through the village only undertaken as necessary to satisfy local order requirements west of Seisdon. HGV movements only occur during the operational hours of the quarry to preserve local amenity.
4.1.7 Given the current ongoing operational nature of the quarry, existing noise controls and attenuation undertaken, the proposals are unlikely to give rise to any significant additional noise emissions or effects on local amenity.
4.2 AIR QUALITY (ODOUR & DUST)
4.2.1 The proposals comprising ongoing mineral extraction and import of inert restoration materials are unlikely to give rise to any Odour issues.
4.2.2 Dust emissions from the quarry are currently controlled by Conditions 19 to 25 of Planning Permission SS.08.08.627 M, inclusive of an approved dust management plan.
4.2.3 All operations are undertaken in accordance with best practice and appropriate dust suppression techniques.
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4.2.4 A fully functional wheel wash is present at the Site. All vehicles are diverted through the wheel wash prior to existing Site. All HGVs leaving the Site are sheeted in accordance with planning conditions.
4.2.5 No excessive dust, debris or mud has been found to be entering the highway during any monitoring visits. There are no known formal complaints in relation to dust emissions resulting from ongoing operations.
4.2.6 Additionally, an increasing proportion of the extraction operations are wet extraction activities and coupled with wet mineral processing activities, the potential for dust emissions is decreased further, compared with an entirely dry mineral operation.
4.2.7 It is noted that a number of reports have been submitted to Staffordshire CC regarding unsheeted vehicles leaving the quarry. It has been noted by Staffordshire CC that some of the vehicles entering and leaving the quarry are using it as a turning area for access to Seisdon Landfill on the opposite side of Ebstree Road. Equally, many of the HGVs using the local highways network are not related to Seisdon Quarry. All HGVs transporting mineral away from Seisdon Quarry are instructed to sheet their loads prior to existing the quarry. All JPE lorries are installed with automatic sheeting systems.
4.2.8 Overall, the proposals can be operated in accordance with best practice guidance, dust suppression control techniques and existing planning conditions. The proposals are unlikely to give rise to any significant increase in nuisance dust.
4.2.9 The resultant vehicle movements associated with the proposals are considered an insignificant increase over the existing baseline traffic situation and are unlikely to give rise to any significant adverse effect on air quality. Equally the majority of quarry movements are directed away from Seisdon village, with movements through the village only undertaken as necessary to satisfy local order requirements west of Seisdon.
4.2.10 The proposals are not considered to result in any additional significant impact with regards to air quality, with control measures to be enacted as approved or as necessary.
4.3 ECOLOGY
4.3.1 An extended Phase 1 habitat survey has been conducted in relation to the proposals (included as part of the Environmental Statement), to assess the impacts of ongoing operations on habitats and wildlife.
4.3.2 Overall, the ongoing operations are not considered to adversely affect any protected species. The existing habitats within unrestored areas of the Site are generally floristically poor, of limited habitat potential and poor quality, with limited or no suitability for protected species. The existing exposed quarry faces do provide good habitat for a range of invertebrate species, which will be accounted for in the detailed restoration of the Site.
4.3.3 The restoration of the Site is likely to lead to significant habitat improvements on Site, with a number of key recommendations provided that will guide detailed restoration interventions, including artificial sand martin banks, enhanced invertebrate habitats, geological exposures and selected areas of bare ground.
4.3.4 Whilst the previously approved restoration scheme for the Site was for Nature Conservation purposes, it is considered that the Proposed Restoration offers significant Nature Conservation
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enhancements, whilst also providing enhanced long-term sustainable afteruses. This in turn should secure the long-term management of the restoration habitats and biodiversity opportunities.
4.4 LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL
4.4.1 An assessment of the Proposed Restoration Changes and associated landscape impacts are provided within the ES. Below sets out the landscape and visual context and the potential impacts from the extension in time for operations to be completed (i.e. the delay in restoration).
Landscape Impact
4.4.2 The Site is not situated within or adjacent to any nationally or locally designated landscape areas. The Site lies within the Green Belt.
4.4.3 The Site lies within the Mid Severn Sandstone Plateau National Landscape Character Area2. The landscape character can be summarised as being predominantly rural and the extensive sandstone plateau has an undulating landscape with large, open arable fields punctuated by areas of lowland heathland, acid grassland and small wooded streamside dells, locally known as dingles. Ridges, often tree lined, follow the variations in geological formations.
4.4.4 Key characteristics include:
Extensive sandstone plateau in the core and east of the NCA underpins an undulating landscape with tree-lined ridges; this contrasts with the irregular topography and steep, wooded gorges of the Severn Valley in the west.
Plateau underlain by Permian and Triassic sandstones and conglomerate from the Sherwood Sandstone Group forming an important aquifer.
Silurian limestones and Carboniferous Coal Measures of the Coalbrookdale and Wyre Forest coalfields in the west provide the source of mineral wealth which fuelled the Industrial Revolution.
Permian and Triassic sandstones erode to free-draining, slightly acid mineral soils which historically supported extensive heathland and grassland. In contrast, marls and sandstones associated with Coal Measures erode to clayey (argillic) brown earth soils.
The plateau is drained by the rivers Worfe and Stour and fast-flowing streams in small wooded, steep-sided streamside dells, locally known as dingles.
The main river is the fast-flowing Severn, flowing north to south in the west of the NCA, often through steep, wooded gorges, the largest being the Ironbridge Gorge.
Interlocking blocks of mixed woodland and old orchards provide a well-wooded landscape and conifer plantations combine with parklands to give an estate character. Wyre Forest is part of one of the largest ancient lowland oak woods in England.
Large, open arable fields with a weak hedgerow pattern on the plateau contrast with mixed arable and pasture land with smaller, irregular shaped fields bounded by hedgerows with hedgerow oaks in the west.
2 NE472: NCA Profile: 66 Mid Severn Sandstone Plateau (Natural England, 2015)
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Characteristic lowland heathland associated with acid grassland and woodland supports nationally important populations of flora and fauna, notably butterflies including the pearl- bordered fritillary.
Post-industrial sites, disused coal mines and mineral quarries are important habitats around Telford and urban areas in the Black Country and are becoming increasingly important because of their dwindling number.
Rich and important heritage assets have led to World Heritage status for Coalbrookdale and Ironbridge, the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution.
Traditional buildings constructed of brick vary in colour. The local Kidderminster and Bromsgrove Sandstone features extensively. Its characteristic red colouration provides local distinctiveness to many towns and villages and estate boundary walls.
The Stour and Severn valleys contain frequent villages and there are a number of attractive historic towns, for example Bridgnorth and Bewdley with cores of Georgian and earlier buildings; there are fine individual examples of timber-framed buildings in Kinver, Bewdley and Bridgnorth.
There is a coalfield remnant landscape along the Severn Valley.
Important manmade features include the Roman road Watling Street, the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal, the M54 and the railway line that links the urban areas of Birmingham and the Black Country in the east with Shrewsbury in the neighbouring NCA in the west.
4.4.5 The Site also lies within the Midlands Plateau Natural Area3.
4.4.6 At a county level, the Site falls within the Sandstone Estatelands: Farmland landscape character sub-type4 described as “a variant of the basic landscape type, in which the influence of landed estates is lacking or is not significant”.
4.4.7 The visual character is described as:
“This is a landscape of intensive arable farming on a flat to very gently undulating landform characterised by a very sparse scattering of isolated mature oak trees and redundant hedgerows. Although hedgerows are generally in poor condition, being gappy and sculpted or overgrown, they influence scale by interrupting immediate views. In some areas the farmland is enclosed by considerable areas of broadleaved and coniferous plantation woodland which, together with large numbers of hedgerow oaks, begin to filter and control views through the landscape, giving a more enclosed character.
The local river courses and canal do not have a high visual impact, but their presence is associated with increased tree cover in the valleys and the introduction of waterside tree species.
This is essentially a bland but productive landscape that is developing an unkempt character, not helped by the appearance of some set aside land. The strongest influences on this landscape are the long views out to rising ground and the urban fringe features of busy main roads, ribbon development, power lines and well used ancient lanes. The area accommodates large numbers of visitors and the suburban influence of local expanding settlements is marked”.
3 The Midlands Plateau (English Nature, 2005) 4 https://apps2.staffordshire.gov.uk/WEB/OnTheMap/NatureandWildlife (accessed 24/08/15)
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4.4.8 Characteristic landscape features are listed as: Conifer and birch woodlands; hedged field pattern; hedgerow oaks; gently rolling landform; tree lined stream courses; narrow lanes.
4.4.9 Incongruous landscape features are listed as: Visible intrusion of urban edges; power lines; set-aside agricultural land; urban fringe commuter features; plant nurseries.
4.4.10 The basic (overarching) Sandstone Estatelands landscape character type5 as defined by The Staffordshire Landscape Typology landscape assessment is described as: “The woodlands and parklands of traditional rural estates characterise the more intact parts of this rolling lowland landscape type, which has a wide geographic range in those parts of the county where Triassic sandstones are not obscured by drift deposits. Acid sands and brown earths predominate and, whilst some significant remnants of the original heathlands survive, the major land use is now arable cropping in large hedged or open fields of a regular pattern. Settlement is sparse, and characterised by expanded hamlets and wayside cottages. Subdivision of the basic landscape type is on the basis of the influence of traditional estates and of parkland and forest.”
4.4.11 Characteristic landscape features are listed as: Estate plantations; heathy ridge woodlands; hedgerow oaks; well treed stream valleys; smooth rolling landform with scarp slopes; red brick farmsteads and estate cottages; mixed intensive arable and pasture farming; large hedged fields; halls and associated parkland; canal.
4.4.12 Incongruous landscape features are listed as: Power lines; village expansion; urban edge; modern farm buildings; deteriorating hedgerows; commuter dwellings; busy roads.
4.4.13 The Site currently comprises a deep quarry, with a series of incongruous steep quarry terraces and temporary landforms leading to a quarry base forming a large broadly rectangular lake and silt beds with irregular edges. Around two thirds of the Site or more remains unrestored with large areas of bare earth and exposed mineral deposits.
4.4.14 Peripheral areas around the northern, eastern and southern boundaries of the quarry have been either actively restored or contain retained habitats. The northern restoration contains a combination agricultural (improved) grassland across 1 in 4 slopes and plantation woodland. Other restored areas predominantly comprise woodland across steep slopes (often 1 in 2 or greater). After completion of extraction the majority of the lake feature will be retained and improved.
4.4.15 The quarry also contains further incongruous elements in the form of mobile plant and equipment, offices and ancillary facilities and stocking areas.
4.4.16 Whilst the quarry is in close proximity to the northwest of Trysull Village and west of Seisdon, the predominant land cover adjacent to the Site comprises medium to large scale, broadly regular shaped, hedgerow delineated agricultural land. The land is predominately arable in nature with some pasture land. Smestow Brook flows broadly northwest/southeast, c. 130m southwest of the Site, with adjacent pasture land, scattered trees and riparian habitats. A number of dwellings lie off Ebstree Road adjacent to the Site, as well as scattered dwellings southeast of the Site at Trysull. Seisdon Landfill lies to the north of Ebstree Road (north of the Site).
4.4.17 Overall, the surrounding landform is gently undulating, with land falling between c. 80mAOD and 110mAOD on average. The low point in the landscape is generally formed by Smestow Brook at 80mAOD, with the Site falling in a broadly broad shallow valley with land rising to the southwest
5 'Planning for Landscape Change' Supplementary Planning Guidance (Staffordshire County Council, Adopted 2001)
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and northeast of the brook in proximity to the Site.
4.4.18 Overall, the purpose of the proposals is to restore the Site by 31st December 2018, with further extraction undertaken to facilitate the restoration. It is noted that Site has not been able to be restored in accordance with the previously permitted timescales (i.e. by 31st December 2014); therefore an extension in time is required in any event to restore the Site. The primary effect of the proposals is to delay the restoration of the Site until 31st December 2018 (with subsequent aftercare and planting/seeding as required). This is primarily a cumulative landscape impact.
4.4.19 Overall, the proposals will not lead to any additional land take. All operations and mineral extraction are generally restricted to existing working areas, with remedial and restoration works in other areas. Existing restored and retained habitats will be unaffected. Accounting for the existing situation and current operational nature of the Site, the extension of time to facilitate restoration by the end of 2018 is considered to be of a Small magnitude landscape impact, accounting for the delay in restoring the Site. The Site will also progressively restore a number of characteristic habitats during the life of operations, progressively reducing the quarry working area. The significance of cumulative adverse landscape effects as a result of the extension in time is considered to be Minor.
4.4.20 An assessment of the restoration implications is included within the ES. Overall, the assessment has found that there would substantial beneficial landscape effects over and above the existing Site situation upon restoration. The Revised Restoration also incorporates a number of characteristic landscape and habitat enhancements in line with the published landscape guidelines. The landform has also been revised to be more gently undulating providing a smoother transition between the surrounding landscape and quarry base, which is in line with the key characteristics of the surrounding landscape. Overall, compared to the previously approved restoration scheme, the Revised Restoration is considered to have a number of beneficial landscape effects that would be of a Minor/Moderate beneficial effect, as well as helping to secure a beneficial long term sustainable afteruse.
4.4.21 Overall, the capacity of the landscape is considered sufficient to accept the Proposed Development, with no overriding landscape impacts or concerns that would preclude ongoing operations for the purpose of restoring the Site by the end of 2018, noting there would be many beneficial effects upon restoration.
Visual Impact
4.4.22 The visual impacts of the Proposed Development are assessed in this section. A number of principal representative viewpoints are included within this section to illustrate the current limited visibility afforded from the highest sensitivity viewpoints (i.e. High sensitivity PRoW, potentially representative of residential views).
4.4.23 The fieldwork and photographic record was undertaken in May 2015.
General Visibility
4.4.24 Seisdon Quarry is a deep quarry with operations predominantly below adjacent surrounding levels. The nearest dwellings to the Site (i.e. at the Site boundary off Ebstree Road and Ebstree Meadow) as well as those on the northern edge of Trysull (off Church Lane); generally have visibility of
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ongoing operations predominantly screened by mature boundary woodland and trees, close board fencing and screening bunds. This ensures that views in to the quarry base are not achieved with only the highest areas of the quarry, along the northeastern boundary, may be visible. These areas are currently restored to agricultural grassland and will not be subject to operations.
4.4.25 Views from local roads passing the Site are heavily restricted by boundary vegetation with only transient glimpsed views at the Site access (Ebstree Road) not affording views in to the quarry void.
4.4.26 The prevalent topography and surrounding boundary vegetation cover screen the majority of publicly available views. There are relatively few visual receptors north and northeast of the Site, where visibility of operations is not achieved.
4.4.27 The greatest potential for views is from Public Rights of Way south and southwest of the Site on rising agricultural land, the opposite side of Smestow Brook. Views are heavily filtered by vegetation and only very specific views are achieved.
Viewpoints
4.4.28 Representative viewpoints are shown below:
Plate 10 Viewpoint Locations
The Site
1
4
2
3
5
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Plate 11 Viewpoint 1: View from Bridleway 15 (Church Lane)
Quarry beyond Ebstree screening bund Meadow
Plate 12 Viewpoint 2: View from Footpath 10 (Crockington Lane)
Plate 13 Viewpoint 3: View from Footpath 9
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Plate 14 Viewpoint 4: View from Bridleway 4 (near Jasmine Cottage / Home Farm Stables)
Seisdon Landfill
Plate 15 Viewpoint 5: View from Bridleway 4 (Gorse Lane, near The Park Farm)
Seisdon Quarry Screened from View by Landform
4.4.29 The viewpoints range in distance from the Site, between c. 720m and c. 1.7km distant.
4.4.30 Viewpoints 2, 3 and 4 illustrate that the majority of Seisdon Quarry is screened. The circled areas illustrate the northeastern boundary restored slopes and the uppermost exposed quarry faces. The operations are predominantly screened by the depth of the quarry and intervening woodland/trees. The visible quarry slopes will be progressively worked and restored, with the visible operations lasting for a series of sporadic temporary periods up to restoration. Overall, visible operations will form a narrow, small proportion of the view. The proposals would not lead to any large scale operational changes to the view, with the greatest change being once the slopes are restored. The ongoing operations up to the end of 2018, will not give rise to any unacceptable or significant effects on visual amenity from these viewpoints (even accounting for potentially High visual sensitivity footpath users and any local residences with views). Once restored there will be a slight beneficial effect on the views.
4.4.31 It is noted that Seisdon Landfill is visible to a greater extent from Viewpoint 4, compared to upper unrestored slopes of Seisdon Quarry. Overall, given the distance to the Site (c. 1.7km), the limited narrow operational area visible at the Site (with the vast majority of the Site screened from view), and with restoration to be achieved by the end of 2018, there is not considered to be any unacceptable or significant cumulative visual effects from Viewpoint 4 as a result of both the Site
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and Seisdon Landfill being visible.
4.4.32 The Site is screened by the existing landform at Viewpoint 5.
4.4.33 Views of the Site from Church Lane (Bridleway 15 – Viewpoint 1) are obscured by a temporary screening bund, as well as intervening vegetation. Ebstree Meadow comprises bungalow dwellings only. Views from the dwellings are predominantly obscured by close board fencing, boundary vegetation and the screening bund, such that views in to the quarry base are not achieved.
4.4.34 It is noted that part of the land in front of the view forms the proposed pocket park which is likely to be provided as an early phase of restoration. The screening bund will be retained as long as viable, however it will need to be removed to enable restoration. At this point, views may be opened up from the pocket park (if adopted) and a narrow section of Church Lane (where breaks in vegetation occur), across to the northwestern operational slopes.
4.4.35 Overall, given the limited intervisibility with ongoing operations and the short duration of time that any operations and progressive restoration would be in view, it is considered that the proposals will not give rise to any unacceptable or significant effects on visual amenity from Viewpoint 1.
4.4.36 As illustrated, the operational areas of Seisdon Quarry are largely screened from potentially sensitive viewpoints by the predominant landform in the area and interlying woodland and vegetation cover. The ongoing operations and exposed upper quarry faces will be of limited discernibility, restricted to a few specific locations where breaks in vegetation occur. Views in to the quarry base are generally not achieved.
4.4.37 The visual impacts are considered to be limited and would only occur in order to facilitate the restoration of the Site. It is considered that during the remaining operational period there would be no unacceptable or significant effects on visual amenity (standalone or cumulative) from any public or private viewpoint. The visual impacts from the sporadic short term operations to the visible upper quarry slopes are not considered to be a constraint to development.
4.5 HIGHWAYS / TRANSPORT
4.5.1 A Traffic Assessment for the proposals has been undertaken and included as Chapter 6 of the Environmental Statement.
4.5.2 The proposals will result in an average 36 HGV loads (72 two way movements) per day. This is an average increase of up to 11 HGV (22 two way vehicle movements) over the previously approved projected extraction rates at the quarry (2000 permissions), noting that activities at the Site have increased in the last year in order to speed up remaining extraction levels and facilitate restoration.
4.5.3 The proposed vehicle movements have been agreed in full consultation with Staffordshire CC Highways Department, and the Transport Assessment has found that the resultant vehicle movements will not have a significant highways impact or detrimental effect on highways safety.
4.5.4 Given the baseline situation at the Site has changed since the previous 2000 permissions and that Seisdon Landfill has become operational with no controls on vehicle routing, vehicle movements or operational end dates, a traffic survey has been undertaken to establish the baseline traffic conditions and existing HGV movements. The HGV movements associated with the quarry form only a proportion of the wider traffic movements on the road network and the associated vehicle movement’s increase from the 2000 permissions for the Site are marginal and insignificant in
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comparison to the existing baseline traffic conditions.
4.5.5 Proportional routing arrangements have been agreed with SCC Highways Department to ensure the majority of HGV movements are diverted eastwards away from Seisdon village. Only around 2 additional HGV loads, over the existing situation, will be directed via Seisdon village on any given day in order to meet local demand west of Seisdon and avoid unnecessary elongated journeys. Where orders west of Seisdon are not in place, all HGV movements will be preferentially diverted eastwards away from Seisdon village.
4.5.6 A large proportion of HGV movements through Seisdon village are generated by Seisdon Landfill, agricultural vehicle movements and other HGV movements, outside the control of Seisdon Quarry and other planning controls.
4.5.7 It is also noted that any vehicles approaching Seisdon Landfill via Seisdon village (or turning westwards through Seisdon village) are unable to safely turn left in to the landfill or right on to the highway, due to the acuteness of the access. Seisdon Quarry is voluntarily allowing the landfill HGVs to turn at the quarry in the interests of highways and public safety. As such, many of the HGV movements witnessed existing the quarry are not associated with quarry operations.
4.5.8 Overall, the highways network is capable of sustaining the vehicle movements of the Proposed Development without significant highways impacts. Many of the HGV movements are already being undertaken. The HGV movements associated with Seisdon Quarry will cease by the end of 2018. Where operations and restoration can be achieved earlier, HGV movements will be reduced accordingly. The majority of HGV movements are being preferentially diverted eastwards away from Seisdon village.
4.5.9 The vast majority of HGV movements associated with Seisdon Quarry are undertaken by the operators own haulage fleet. These are clearly demarcated HGVs. All HGVs are GPS tracked, monitored and have automatic sheeting. Any traffic concerns can be monitored directly by the operator.
4.5.10 Given agreement to the exportation rates by SCC Highways Department and the associated traffic assessment conclusions, vehicle movements and traffic concerns are not considered a constraint to ongoing operations. It is also noted that there are no vehicle movement restrictions on the previous planning consents secured via condition. Vehicle restrictions would only relate to the projected extraction tonnages per annum as described and consented via the 2000 planning permission.
4.6 AGRICULTURE AND SOILS
4.6.1 The purpose of the proposals is to restore the existing active quarry area. The proposals will not lead to any additional land take or loss of agricultural land. Upon restoration, a large proportion of the Site (c. 24 ha) will be restored for agriculture. The restoration landform has been designed to be able to accommodate both low and higher intensity grazing and potentially, more productive agriculture in future. Existing restored areas will be unaffected by the proposals.
4.6.2 There are limited restoration soils on Site. Additional restoration forming material is required to be imported to Site and blended with in-situ material to manufacture suitable surface restoration soils. The proposals do not need to rely on imported topsoils from greenfield Sites.
4.6.3 The majority of the Site will be restored using in-situ materials at the Site. Agricultural areas will be
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restored with an average depth of 500mm of restoration soils, laid over indigenous materials. Woodland and acid grassland/scrub areas will be restored with shallower depths of restoration soils. These areas are also predominantly to be restored for nature conservation purposes and larger depths and high fertility soils are generally not required.
4.7 ARBORICULTURE AND HEDGEROWS
4.7.1 The Site does not contain any veteran trees or areas of ancient woodland. No mature trees or hedgerows are anticipated to be affected by the proposals. Areas currently actively restored to woodland will be retained. Some areas of self-seeded scrub will be cleared as appropriate to make slopes safe and facilitate landform restoration.
4.7.2 The proposed restoration includes for new areas of broadleaf woodland planting, significant new lengths of species-rich hedgerows and large areas of acid grassland/scrub. Overall, the restoration of the Site will lead to significant improvements in tree and hedgerow cover and high quality habitats, over and above the existing situation.
4.8 LAND CONTAMINATION AND GROUND CONDITIONS
4.8.1 The Site is an active quarry, with no known land contamination or ground conditions that would be a constraint to the proposals and ongoing operations. The purpose of the proposals is to lead to the successful restoration of the Site to a high environmental standard.
4.9 GEOLOGY AND HYDROGEOLOGY
4.9.1 The Site is not on or adjacent to land designated nationally or locally for its geological importance.
4.9.2 The BGS 1:50,000 scale mapping of bedrock geology present within the Site is described as being: “Wildmoor Sandstone Formation - Sandstone. Sedimentary Bedrock formed approximately 246 to 251 million years ago in the Triassic Period. Local environment previously dominated by rivers.”
4.9.3 Superficial deposits recorded as “Glaciofluvial Deposits, Devensian - Sand and Gravel. Superficial Deposits formed up to 2 million years ago in the Quaternary Period. Local environment previously dominated by ice age conditions.”
4.9.4 The Site falls within a Groundwater Source Protection Zone 3 defined as “the area around a source within which all groundwater recharge is presumed to be discharged at the source”. Based on information from the Environment Agency website, the Site lies within:
An area over which the bedrock form a Principal Aquifer (these are layers of rock or drift deposits that have high intergranular and/or fracture permeability - meaning they usually provide a high level of water storage. They may support water supply and/or river base flow on a strategic scale. In most cases, principal aquifers are aquifers previously designated as major aquifer);
An area over which the superficial deposits form a Secondary A – Aquifer, (permeable layers capable of supporting water supplies at a local rather than strategic scale, and in some cases forming an important source of base flow to rivers. These are generally aquifers formerly classified as minor aquifers) and Secondary Undifferentiated Aquifer (assigned in cases where it has not been possible to attribute either category A or B to a rock type. In most cases, this
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means that the layer in question has previously been designated as both minor and non- aquifer in different locations due to the variable characteristics of the rock type).
An area where the Groundwater Vulnerability Zone is classified as being ‘Major Aquifer High’.
4.9.5 Seisdon Quarry is a longstanding quarry, operating over several decades. Working at and below the water level within the quarry is a longstanding consented operation. The protection of surface waters and groundwater are controlled via Conditions 4, 6 and 11 – 14 of Planning Permission S.08/08/627 M. In accordance with Condition 4, the depth of extraction will not exceed 68mAOD.
4.9.6 Conditions 11 – 14 control potential pollution incidents, ensuring no potentially contaminated water is discharged to any ditch or watercourse and such that no discharge that would cause surcharging of ditches or watercourses will be undertaken. These conditions will continue to be adhered to.
4.9.7 Condition 6 requires that the Site is not dewatered without prior written consent of the MPA. All water is controlled within the Site, with an existing lake at the quarry floor. No dewatering from the Site is undertaken or will be undertaken (i.e. no off-site pumping is undertaken). A temporary storage lagoon has been formed to the immediate east of the existing lake and silt beds. As may be required in order to manage quarry operations and water levels effectively, water from the lake is recirculated to the temporary storage lagoon prior to discharge back to the lake. A sluice gate is provided between the storage lagoon and lake.
4.9.8 Given the level of longstanding operations and existing controls, further consideration of geological or hydrogeological aspects is not considered necessary.
4.9.9 The processing of imported inert restoration materials will be controlled via a Standard Rules Environmental Permit and WRAP Quality Protocol, to aid in producing a suitable restoration material/soil. None of the imported material will be directly placed within the quarry without processing. Processed imported material will only be used in restoration above the water table/level.
4.9.10 To facilitate restoration, only in-situ indigenous material from the Site shall be used in the restoration of the lake (i.e. below the water level).
4.9.11 The existing water body in the quarry base is at an average level of 75.35mAOD akin to the level of the water table.
4.10 SURFACE WATER MANAGEMENT, HYDROLOGY AND FLOOD RISK
4.10.1 The Site lies within Flood Zone 1 (Environment Agency Flood Map for Planning) ‘low probability’, where the annual probability of flooding is considered to be <0.1%. There is no history of flooding at the Site or in the immediately adjacent area.
4.10.2 All surface water is controlled within the Site and as a quarry below adjacent ground levels; the Site is unlikely to lead to increased flood risk outside the Site. Given the nature of the proposals (continuation of operations to facilitate restoration), a Flood Risk Assessment is not considered necessary.
4.10.3 The proposals are for low level restoration and will not lead to restoration above adjacent ground levels.
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4.10.4 All surface water is contained within the Site, generally ending up within the quarry base. A temporary storage lagoon has been established at the Site to further aid in the control surface water run-off, preventing excessive erosion of exposed quarry faces in to the quarry base.
4.10.5 Discharge of surface waters off-Site is not undertaken, as controlled by Conditions 6 and 11-14, of Planning Permission S.08/08/627 M.
4.11 CULTURAL HERITAGE AND ARCHAEOLOGY
4.11.1 The Site is a longstanding operation quarry. There are no statutory or locally designated heritage or archaeological features within the Site. There are a number of Listed Building in close proximity to the Site, c. 100m to the northwest and c. 150m to the southeast at their closest. These are primarily local farmhouses and other dwellings. There is limited or no intervisibility due to the existing level of intervening vegetation. Seisdon Quarry has operated for several decades, with no unacceptable impact on the listed structures previously assessed. The proposals, leading to the restoration of the Site by 31st December 2018, are not considered to significantly adversely affect designated heritage assets outside of the Site. Further consideration of cultural heritage and archaeology is not considered necessary.
4.12 LIGHTING
4.12.1 No additional lighting is proposed and the existing operating hours for the quarry will remain unchanged.
4.13 GENERAL AMENITY & OTHER ISSUES
Mud Entering the Highway
4.13.1 All operational vehicles are checked and cleaned, if necessary before they go out onto the highway. The Site also has a wheel wash facility on the main internal haul route adjacent to the entrance on to Ebstree Road. This will be utilised as necessary to clean vehicles exiting the Site. If conditions necessitate, staff will sweep or clean any mud or debris caused by vehicles visiting the Site.
4.13.2 No known complaints have been received with regard to mud entering the highway in recent years.
4.13.3 The quarry also operates a road sweeper as and when necessary, according to the prevalent road and weather conditions, where its operation is unlikely to give rise to excessive dust issues.
Pests
4.13.4 The nature of the proposals is unlikely to lead to pest issues. No known complaints have been received with pest issues in recent years. In the unlikely event of an infestation, specialist pest control contractors will be employed and brought onto the Site to deal with the problem.
Litter
4.13.5 All imported material will be inert, suitable for processing and suitable for restoration purposes. All imported material will be delivered to the Site via sheeted vehicles. Furthermore, the Site will be inspected on a regular basis in order to ensure that litter is controlled and collected where
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necessary.
Health and Safety
4.13.6 Plant and Equipment operators and workers on the Site will be fully trained and ensure that normal safety precautions are carried out. All operations will be carried out in accordance with the Site operator’s Health and Safety Policy document and current health and safety legislation.
4.13.7 The operator is also accredited with ISO 18001 - the internationally accepted and recognised management standard for occupational health and safety.
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5 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
5.1.1 An application for an extension to the life of Seisdon Quarry and extraction operations was submitted in 2013 (ref: SS.13/17/627 M), with the application currently held in abeyance.
5.1.2 This application was subject to consultation with all comments made on the application received by the operator.
5.1.3 A petition, opposing the proposals on highways grounds was also submitted to Staffordshire CC.
5.1.4 A summary of the main concerns and representations raised in relation to the proposals are as follows:
Delayed restoration in the Green Belt
Highway safety, condition of local roads and cumulative impact of lorries associated with Seisdon Landfill and Seisdon Quarry
Routing of lorries
Impact on the environment, residents and character of the village
Landfill/Future Aggregate Recycling Centre
Creation of Employment
Publicity for the proposal has been minimal
Confusion over the screening opinion (SCE.164/SS.13.17.627 M) (33 objections received).
5.1.5 Subsequent to these concerns being raised and confirmation that the submitted application may not fully facilitate the successful restoration of Seisdon Quarry as well as SCCs requirement that all operations be controlled and a firm end date for restoration be agreed, the operator entered in to a range of discussions with Staffordshire Council and statutory consultees to design and agree proposals that could reasonably ensure the restoration Seisdon Quarry by an appropriate end date, whereby the overall operations complied with the requirements of National and Local Planning Policy.
5.1.6 Further to this, a Site visit and liaison with elected representatives also took place in 2014. The Site inspection showed that there was a significant amount of work to be undertaken to achieve a satisfactory restoration. The elected representatives included Gavin Williamson MP, Brian Edwards (County Councillor), Robert McCardle (District Councillor) and Alec Smith (Chair - Seisdon Parish Council). The difficulties in restoring the Site were explained as well as the requirements for enhanced extraction and improved restoration potential.
5.1.7 Following this and the advice received, we formally offered on the 22nd August 2014, to set up a liaison group with representatives from the Parish Council, to progress the proposals and operations at the quarry. The intention was not only to keep the Parish Council up to date with the new proposals and progress (and by extension the wider community) but also allow us to take on board any further local concerns as necessary. This was also an opportunity to improve understanding as to the difficulties in achieving the successful restoration of the Site. This offer was formally declined on the 12th September 2014, where the Parish Council would only put representatives forward once the planning application had been formally dealt with and a decision made.
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5.1.8 It was also advised that due to the level of public concern, public presentations were also ill-advised, especially until final proposals had been formulated.
5.1.9 It was understood that the central concern related to highways. An independent traffic and transport assessment was undertaken with regards to the quarry operations, in consultation with Staffordshire CC Highways Department. This was to establish safe vehicle movements in relation to the quarry operations and prevalent highways conditions. Further consideration has also been given to the relationship between vehicle movements and ensuring a good quality restoration in the shortest time possible, whilst also not unduly sterilising an economically important mineral resource which will be used to finance the restoration of the Site.
5.1.10 Consultations with the County Council (including technical experts within the Council) have been ongoing to ensure any operations for the proposed extension period were acceptable in planning policy terms. Based on these consultations and work, revised vehicle movement proposals were submitted to the highways department on 24th November 2014. Unfortunately, we did not receive an initial response until 16th January 2015. Since this time various proposals have been considered and we offered traffic and transport surveys both independent and in conjunction with the highways department.
5.1.11 Not without delay, acceptable vehicle movements have been agreed in principle with the highways department and a joint survey of road conditions was undertaken in early June 2015 in order to confirm any detail specific requirements in relation to highways. Further information relating to highways concerns was received recently which has facilitated this planning submission. Based on the vehicle movements and routing agreed in principle in relation to the proposed operational end- date, the operator has significantly reduced the programmed mineral outputs and proposals of 2014 to meet this. These alternatives are considered further in the ES.
5.1.12 During this time, further representations have been received by elected representatives and ongoing public correspondence. Due to the public concerns that an application be submitted forthwith to confirm the end date and completion of Seisdon Quarry restoration, further public consultation has not been able to be undertaken.
5.1.13 Further informal technical advice has also been obtained from Nature After Minerals (a project run by Natural England) as to detailed restoration and habitat enhancements the operator wishes to undertake at the Site.
5.1.14 In relation to the concerns raised in previous consultations, it is fully understood that the delay in restoration is not desirable. However, an effective restoration cannot be achieved without significant levels of extraction and landform remodelling. The extension in time to achieve the restoration by the end of 2018 (an extension of around 4 years beyond the previously permitted restoration end date of 31st December 2013) is a relatively short amount of time to restore the quarry, given the time lost during the economic recession in terms of lost productivity.
5.1.15 Equally, the original proposals (application ref: SS.13/17/627 M) allowed for restoration by 31st December 2018 which the operator intends to achieve, albeit an enhanced operation and investment by the operator is required to achieve a successful restoration scheme.
5.1.16 Highways implications have been considered in depth, and have been agreed with technical consultees based on various considerations and achieving the proposed restoration end date. The various alternatives are considered in the ES.
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5.1.17 The intention of the proposals is to restore the quarry to a long-term sustainable afteruse that will both enhance the Green Belt and potentially provide a beneficial resource to Seisdon parish, both in terms of the agricultural land being afforded, nature conservation enhancements and recreational opportunities.
5.1.18 There is no intention to turn Seisdon Quarry in to a recycling and landfill facility; however, restoration imports are required to facilitate a successful restoration scheme.
5.1.19 The quarry will sustain current employees and the restoration also has the opportunity to sustain employment in terms of the agricultural sector, in to the future.
5.1.20 The planning application will be subject to full consultations and is accompanied by a voluntary Environmental Statement which considers the potentially most significant environmental impacts in relation to the proposals, in terms of the restoration variation (change), highways impacts and ecological impacts.
5.1.21 As part of the proposals, the operator will agree to 6 monthly monitoring and review of progress at the Site to ensure restoration is deliverable by 31st December 2018. To this end, the operator is also willing to facilitate a local liaison group throughout the operational and restoration period to monitor progress and also be involved in restoration interventions. The operator is still keen to offer a pocket park subject to parish and council interest and various nature conservation enhancements will be detailed in various areas including artificial sand martin banks, geological outcrops and areas of invertebrate interest.
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APPENDICES:
Planning Drawings consisting of: Location Plan (ref: CE-SD0609-DW01) Appendix A Illustrative Mineral Working and Remediation Plan (ref: CE-SD0609-DW10) Restoration Concept and Land-Use Plan (ref: CE-SD0609-DW09) Outline Restoration Phasing Plan (ref: CE-SD0609-DW15)
Appendix B Plant and Equipment Details
Appendix C Planning Permission SS.08/08/627 M and SS.10.04.627 M
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APPENDIX A:
Planning Drawings
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APPENDIX B:
Plant and Equipment Details
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APPENDIX C:
Planning Permission SS.08.08.627 M and SS.10.04.627 M
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