News and updates
22 September 2009
Planning, EIA and environmental permit application progress
Over the last few months, independent consultants have been undertaking various surveys to support the planning and permitting process. TCRA has now received the first draft of the planning application for their approval and it is anticipated that the application will be formally submitted in mid October.
Local residents will be given a formal opportunity to comment on the proposals as part of the application process in due course but in the meantime TCRA is keen to listen to your views, so contact us if you have any questions.
The environmental permit application is in the process of being drafted with the intention of it being submitted in December.
14 September 2009
Public consulation responses
Following the positive public consultation exercise undertaken earlier this year, we have received a number of suggestions for future uses of the site. We are now in consultation with Ashton Court Estate to develop a concept restoration proposal to support the planning application.
25 June 2009
For those who were unable to attend the public consulation yesterday we have uploaded the exhibition boards (pdf, 966kb) for you to view.
Public Consultation
24 June 2009 (3.00pm to 8.00pm)
Long Ashton Village Hall
Tarmac Limited has confirmed it is currently drawing up long-term restoration plans for Durnford quarry near Long Ashton, which will be implemented as quarrying draws to a close and for a period after mineral extraction finishes.
The historic quarry, which was acquired by Tarmac in 2000, is located next to Ashton Court Estate and its current planning permission for mineral extraction runs until 2012.
Tarmac has confirmed that an extension to the life of the quarry will be needed to around 2020 to remove the already agreed volume of aggregate.
Paul Hopkins, estates manager at Tarmac commented: “This has long been an important, strategic resource for the region, but we’re looking at ‘the beginning of the end’ of mineral extraction at Durnford.
“The current economic climate has resulted in a lower volume of stone being extracted and we need a little longer to remove the already agreed volume of aggregate. Our long term thoughts are now turning to the restoration programme having regard to the setting of the quarry and after use options”, he added
Once the restoration programme is complete, the land will eventually pass to Ashton Court Estate. Initial thoughts about the ‘end use’ of the quarry are currently being discussed by Tarmac and the relevant parties.
A joint venture – Tarmac and Churngold Recycled Aggregates Limited (TCRA) – has been formed between Tarmac and South West remediation and recycling firm Churngold Recycling Limited to investigate the possibility of partially infilling the quarry to leave a more useable landform.
Paul Hopkins said: “We’re looking at the possibility of bringing ‘inert material’ on to the site – things like clays and sub-soils – as part of the restoration strategy. The site is unsuitable for use as a general landfill site and municipal waste will not be allowed."
“We’re keen to leave a useable asset for the Estate and future generations and we want to give the local community an opportunity to express their views on the end use of the site so we have arranged a public consultation meeting at Long Ashton Village Hall between 3.00pm and 8.00pm on 24 June”.
Contact us if you have any questions.
