16th October 2006 - Swinden & Threshfield Quarry proposed plans
Tarmac has held a public exhibition showcasing its planning proposals for Swinden and Threshfield Quarries in North Yorkshire.
The proposal is to extract a further 24 million tonnes of limestone from Swinden Quarry in substitution for the 24 million tonnes of limestone that Tarmac could extract from Threshfield Quarry. This would reduce the total active quarrying in the local area by 51 hectares from 122 hectares, down to 71 hectares.
Rob Moore, Tarmac northern estates & geology manager, said: "As a result of being granted this permission it would allow the Threshfield planning permission to be surrendered allowing the Threshfield site to be restored within two years, around 35 years ahead of schedule."
"This removes the potential for approximately 50,000 additional lorry movements per year up to 2042 from Threshfield Quarry, which would be a major benefit to local residents."
The proposal also allows maximum use of the modern energy efficient processing plant at Swinden and the rail link to transport the limestone to market. It is not proposed to increase the annual output of stone from Swinden Quarry as the additional limestone reserves would be extracted over an extended ten year period.
These limestone reserves would be quarried mainly in a northerly direction to the depth currently permitted and all located completely within the presently permitted planning boundary.
Swinden Quarry currently supports the livelihoods of 120 people and the proposed scheme would ensure these jobs continue to 2030.
The restoration proposals for Swinden include advance woodland planting, creation of a 34 hectare lake with large areas of shallow water and marginal wetland, retention of limestone cliff habitats, creation of calcareous grassland and the ongoing management of these habitats.
"The new areas of limestone grassland will be ideal for the curlew, lapwing, skylark and other ground nesting birds and the quarry faces are perfect for cliff-nesting birds, such as the peregrine falcon," added Rob.
These proposals will be the subject of a Planning Application accompanied by an Environmental Statement with careful consideration given to all the environmental implications, particularly with respect to the site’s location within the Yorkshire Dales National Park. It is anticipated that this Planning Application will be submitted by the end of 2006.
Ongoing consultation with the Yorkshire Dales National Park and the local community will continue.
