Wardell Armstrong 2 The Avenue, Leigh, Greater , WN7 1ES, United Kingdom Telephone: +44 (0)1942 260101 Facsimile: +44 (0)1942 261754 www.wardell-armstrong.com

Our ref: ST13233/007 Date: 21 February 2013 Digital ref: Your ref:

Mr Mike Grundy Planning, Policy and Development Control Manager Staffordshire County Council c/o Wedgwood Building (Block A) Tipping Street Stafford ST16 2DH

Dear Mr Grundy

Planning Permission N.05/20/214M: Discharge of Condition 35 (Wheel cleaning facilities) Application to deepen the quarry from a permitted working depth of 105m AOD to a maximum depth of 36m AOD at Knutton Quarry, Knutton, Newcastle-under-Lyme

35. Within 6 months of the date of this permission, details of existing wheel cleaning facilities and their operation and maintenance shall be submitted for the written approval of the Mineral Planning Authority. The wheel cleaning facilities shall thereafter be operated and maintained in accordance with the approved details.

Information about the existing wheel cleaning facilities is provided below, including details concerning their operation and maintenance. Following approval of the submitted details, the wheel cleaning facilities shall thereafter be operated and maintained in accordance with the approved details.

Wheel cleaning facilities

The site utilises a ‘Hippowash’ system which operates to deliver high volumes of water under high pressure directly onto tyre treads and vehicle under-chassis to ensure the complete removal of material and contaminants.

ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY INFRASTRUCTURE AND UTILITIES

LAND AND PROPERTY Wardell Armstrong is the trading name of Wardell Armstrong LLP, Registered in No. OC307138. MINING AND MINERAL PROCESSING Registered office: Sir Henry Doulton House, Forge Lane, Etruria, Stoke-on-Trent, ST1 5BD, United Kingdom MINERAL ESTATES AND QUARRYING UK Offices: Stoke-on-Trent, , Cardiff, Carlisle, Edinburgh, Greater Manchester, , Newcastle upon Tyne, Penryn, Sheffield, Truro, West Bromwich. International Offices: Almaty, Moscow WASTE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

The system allows two whole wheel revolutions over the 6m long wash platform. Approximately 1600 litres of water per minute are delivered at high pressure to the vehicle’s tyre treads, inner and outer wheel, wheel arch and vehicle under body.

Inverter-driven pumps are in place to minimise power consumption and increase the efficiency of the system.

Water reclamation

Galvanised side screens ensure that 95% of the water used is reclaimed.

The system is also fitted with on/off sensors, including a powerful hand lance which is used for additional cleaning capacity is supplied in the steel, lockable pump house which is also equipped with a light and heater for frost protection.

Silt Management

The material discharged by the wheelwash can be recycled. It is collected in a two-chamber settlement pit. The chambers are divided by a weir wall that the supernatant water can flow over into the clean section, which can then be pumped back into the system using a small

ST13233/007 2 February 2013

submersible pump. The material in the larger section is left to settle before transferring back to the quarry for re-use.

Operation of system

The system is completely automated and requires no driver involvement. Sensors on the system detect the approaching vehicle and the wash starts up on entry and shuts off once the vehicle has exited the wash. The system is topped up using water from the quarry.

The sump is automatically topped up from the mains via a solenoid and float system if quarry water is not available. If there is no mains water supply, a low water level is indicated on the control panel. The system can automatically stop the pumps from running so as to prevent any possible damage.

Maintenance

The wheel wash units require little maintenance. A brief visual inspection is recommended daily and periodical and operating maintenance schedules are provided.

If you have any queries regarding the above please don’t hesitate to contact me. We look forward to your decision.

Yours sincerely for Wardell Armstrong LLP

RICHARD KEVAN Associate Director [email protected]

ST13233/007 3 February 2013