CPRE Leicestershire

A new quarry is being planned immediately to the south-east of Bardon Hill. It is described as a quarry extension as it will link to the existing crushing and screening plant, etc. by conveyor. The immediate reaction to this might be one of total opposition. Realistically, attempting to prevent this development could well result in failure since the likelihood of proving overriding economic need by the applicant is a strong argument in its favour. Leicestershire's 'problem' is that we are the first port of call for hard rock by markets to the south and east. For example, a fair proportion of Buddon Hill, between Quorn and Mountsorrel, now lies beneath the English Channel as tunnel construction material. Being on what is known as the 'stone line' our county will attract markets for hard-rock aggregate.

CPRE members therefore have to consider that it might be more productive in the long term to work with the applicant, thus ensuring that the workings meld into the Charnian landscape. Having had talks with the applicant we know that the quarry company is keen to reduce impacts and ultimately create a landscape which has all the characteristics of Charnwood. At some point though your County Branch Executive Committee will be submitting comments to the relevant authority. Before then, the applicant will be providing more detailed information which we hope to add to this web-page.

Bardon Quarry Update (March 14th, 2009)

Bardon Aggregates are inviting the public to an exhibition at the following times and dates: from 10am to 5pm on April 4 and 5 and between 2pm and 8pm on April 6. Minibus tours have also been arranged on these dates. Part of the exhibition in the marquee is a 3-D moving visualisation of the proposed new quarry. This gives a very clear impression of the aims and objectives, as if you were flying over and around the site in a helicopter.

Bardon Aggregates have published a new document in which landscaping considerations are given a high level of importance. To quote:

'Visitors to the last exhibitions were shown three different landscaping options that have been designed by a landscape architect to minimise the visual impact of the proposed extension area and to create areas which will be available for public access. The most popular choice was to screen the area with forest and parkland, and our new drawings now depict woodland on the lower slopes with heathland on top which is characteristic of the Charnwood area.

The height of the northern mound near Copt Oak has been lowered by six metres to make it more in keeping with the area. Subtle land raising of up to three metres in height is now proposed as an additional screen to Shaw Lane.

The source of the River Sence lies just north of the proposed new quarry. Its course runs through the planned extension area and will therefore need to be diverted to allow extraction. The new watercourse has been designed to offer increased habitat diversity as well as receiving the surface water that runs off the proposed new landscaped areas.

Under the heading of 'Future of the existing quarry' Bardon Aggregates state:

'Until the excess clay from the extension area is placed within the present quarry, other than landscape treatment to upper faces, nothing can be done to or with the quarry. Once infilling has taken place, consideration can then be given to the area's use which could, for example, include moving some components of the processing plant to the old quarry. the preferred option, however, is to retain the plant in its current position and undertake additional work to provide further containment and improve the visual appearance through additional screening.'

Leicestershire CPRE members and supporters need to examine the forthcoming planning proposal very carefully. Is it a threat or will it be an asset? If you've never walked to the top of Bardon to watch the sun set you've really missed something. Looking westwards you can see the high ground of the West Midlands (Lickey and Clent Hills, Dudley and Wolverhampton). When the air is exceptionally clear you can see the Malvern Hills. The quarry company do take their environmental responsibilities very seriously and have acquired recognition. See here for example.

Again, quoting from the company's literature:

'The quarry is proud to have a Biodiversity Benchmark in recognition of its ongoing commitment to improving biodiversity. we work very closely with local biodiversity partners including the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust and Natural England to monitor and enhance the biological Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) on Bardon Hill. Interestingly, Bardon Hill is itself a Geological SSSI on account of its interesting geological features. As part of our commitment to improving and supporting environmental initiatives, Bardon Aggregates is also pleased to be sponsoring the Footprint Awards which are run by North West Leicestershire District Council. The awards recognise people or groups who have made an outstanding contribution to improving the District's environment and have helped to combat global climate change. We have also worked to encourage people to use the network of public footpaths around the area by organising guided walks around Bardon Hill with the local Wildlife Trust and other groups. Over the coming months we will be inviting people once again to join us on a walk around the area to identify the spring flowers in association with one of our biodiversity partners.'

We would therefore urge members and friends of the Branch to get their boots on and have a good look at the area before judging the forthcoming formal planning application.

Rise Rocks, looking towards the south-east from the Ivanhoe way. Should the quarry application be approved, is it reasonable to ask for the burial of the power lines as mitigation?

CPRE in alliance with three other leading countryside campaign groups has just launched a campaign for major investment in smart electricity networks to avoid intrusive new infrastructure. The campaign aims to influence the Government's promised vision for a 'smart grid' and a new national planning policy on the future of the nation’s electricity transmission network. In an interview with The Guardian on 6 March 2009 Ed Miliband MP, the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, advocated the idea of a 'smart grid' and promised that he would issue a vision for a smart grid 'in the coming weeks'. There will also be opportunities for the public to debate the need for, and design of, the new lines proposed by National Grid in the Government's new National Policy Statement (NPS) on electricity transmission, expected in June 2009. There will also be inquiries held into specific projects. Assuming that these follow new procedures for considering applications for high voltage electric lines set out in the Planning Act 2008, rights of the public to participate in inquiries into specific projects will be more restricted than under present procedures. For example, there will be no scope to question the policies set out in the final NPS. Is this democratic?