Quarry plan decision at County Hall

By dadcock

CAMPAIGNERS are gathering at County Hall in Dorchester today to protest about a plan for quarrying near Maiden Newton.

Residents from villages near Whitesheet Quarry want to halt the proposal that could see chalk extraction start again at the disused site.

They say the application being discussed by the council's planning committee this morning would lead to heavy traffic adding to the hazards on a narrow road at Maiden Newton.

And they fear the effect quarrying would have on the environment and their community.

The move follows an application for 45 conditions on three existing planning permissions that date back to 1948 on the site.

Dorset County Council director for environment Miles Butler is recommending approval of the conditions.

The conditions include working hours, landscaping, archaeology and importation of plant, materials and machinery.

The application for the determination of the conditions is being sought by the landowner under the Review of Old Mineral Planning Permissions Procedure.

But objectors including West Dorset MP Oliver Letwin, the headteacher of Greenford Primary School in Maiden Newton, residents and parish councils raise concerns about the quarry coming back into use.

Among the complaints are fears about hazards caused by heavy lorry movements and the impact of work at the quarry, which lies within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Objector Adrian Cooper, who lives about half a mile from the site, said: "This quarry has not been in use for about 30 years.

"But that road has become much more busy since then. It's a real danger spot. There have been crashes on that hill near the site entrance and quarrying would increase traffic with heavy lorries.

"There are other issues as well like the effect on people's health caused by chalk dust."

He said many people living nearby thought there had not been sufficient openness or consultation.

He added: "People feel they have not been involved in the democratic process."

Mr Letwin's objections included concerns about land slippage, wildlife, the erection of an industrial building, the impact on quality of life and traffic and noise issues.

A county council spokesman said the application had been dealt with correctly including site notices and publication in the local press and to parish councils.

She said: "It is different from other applications in that it is an update for modern working conditions."

Dee Adcock