Sand extensions/Hermitage proposal reduced

摘要

The extension to the sand quarry at Hermitage Farm, Bradley Court, Hermitage, by the Waste Recycling Group, was approved by West Berkshire Council in May. However, the quantity of mineral extraction proposed was substantially reduced. The application related to a quarry in which soft sand extraction and the disposal of household waste is currently taking place. Sand extraction had taken place since 1984 with restoration originally intended to be to agricultural land at a lower level; the sand extraction was permitted until December 2002. The planning application originally included the extraction of 750,000t of sand north of the existing quarry, and infilling with inert waste. Prior to a site visit taking place the applicant removed the major sand extraction proposals, so that only 55,000t would be extracted from the existing quarry. The application site is in the North Wessex Downs AONB to the north of the M4 motorway. The application would extend the time period for the completion of operations at the site by two years, and provide an additional 185,000 cu.m of void space, creating the cell for non-inert waste landfilling which would generate a further 30,000t of soft sand. This would take place in 2002 and be completed early 2003. A further 25,000t of sand would be extracted from a former nursery area adjacent to the quarry during 2003 following the sand extraction in the quarry. The quarry would be restored for agricultural purposes with further hedgerows and field boundaries being introduced to reduce field size. Restoration would be completed by the end of 2007.