Residents 'relieved' as quarry plans turned down

Residents near a proposed quarry site in Nottinghamshire have welcomed its refusal by councillors.

Aggregates business Land Logical had applied to turn 210 acres (85 hectares) of land between Clifton and Barton-in-Fabis into a sand and gravel quarry.

However, at a Nottinghamshire County Council planning committee meeting on Tuesday, councillors rejected the plans by seven votes to four, despite officers recommending its approval.

Lucy Pollock, who lives in Barton-in-Fabis, said she was "relieved and happy" because "it felt like common sense prevailed".

A spokesperson for Land Logical said it was disappointed by the decision, and would closely examine the reasons for its refusal as it considered its next steps.

Ms Pollock, who moved into the village 10 years ago, said the application had hung over her and other residents for a long time.

"It's easy to dismiss [our] concerns as NIMBY concerns," she said.

"But actually, I would encourage anybody to go and stand in the middle of that site and not think there's no way this area should be destroyed. It's beautiful and peaceful."

Despite the recommendation of approval, the council had received more than 1,300 objections across numerous consultations.

This included many residents at Lark Hill Retirement Village, who had expressed concerns over dust, because the proposed site was 220 metres away.

Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust and Rushcliffe Borough Council had also opposed the plans.

There had been discussion during the four-hour meeting on whether to defer the decision on the plans to a later date, but this was not formally proposed nor voted on.

Summarising why the application was rejected, councillor James Gable said committee members felt the need for the site was "not compelling".

"There is going to be ecological harm that can't be avoided, and visual impacts that are inherent to the site's design with it going up an incline," he said.

The applicant, Land Logical Limited, said it was disappointed by the decision.

A spokesperson said: "The site is identified as a source of sand and gravel in the county's minerals local plan, and was recommended for approval by officers.

"Having gone above and beyond to develop a scheme that addresses concerns raised, and delivers benefits for people and wildlife alike, we will closely examine the reasons for refusal and consider our next steps."

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