Villagers sign up to oppose quarry plan near Bridgnorth

More than 450 people have signed the petition against the application submitted to Shropshire Council for the 3.5 million tonne sand and gravel quarry on land off the busy A454, Bridgnorth Road, in Shipley.

Protest signs have been erected along the main road as villagers mobilise to launch a campaign against the plans.

The application is for the phased extraction of sand and gravel, inclusive of mineral processing, all ancillary works, equipment and associated infrastructure and progressive restoration. The application has received more than 90 comments from residents objecting the plans, on Shropshire Council's planning website.

Worfield & Rudge Parish Council also submitted a comment on the application, strongly objecting the plans due to concerns about the safety of the road, the noise and dust pollution, and the restoration and landscape.

Valerie Edwards, council clerk, stated that it would make an "existing dangerous road even more dangerous for all road users".

Shropshire Wildlife Trust, the Woodland Trust and Shropshire Campaign to Protect Rural England also submitted objection comments.

Highways stated no objection to the principle of the development proposed, but recommended proposed junction improvements on the A454 are agreed prior to consent being granted, to ensure the development can be served by a safe and appropriate access for all vehicles.

The 'No Sand and Gravel Quarry at Shipley, Shropshire' petition states: "There is an application for a three million tonne sand and gravel quarry with Shropshire Council on land between Lower Rudge, and the A454 (on the left just before Gardenland Garden Centre).

"The site is just off the A454 which is already incredibly busy and dangerous without the proposed 100 extra quarry lorries a day going in and out.

"There have been a number of serious and fatal accidents over the years and large, heavy, slow moving quarry lorries are only going to add to the problem.

"The pollution from these lorries and the mess on the roads will have further negative impact on the surrounding area.

"The whole application is missing vital information and proper tests for many things including effects to local drinking water supplies, the ancient woodland, wildlife, and local living conditions.

"Shropshire SAMDEV states that we have enough of both sand and gravel for at least 10 years plus and there are other specified quarries waiting in a land bank for consideration so there is no reason to pass this application now or in the future. We have to urge the council to scrutinise the application properly and independently given its complex nature."

To sign the petition against the quarry in Shipley, visit gopetition.com/petitions/no-quarry-at-shipley-shropshire.html

To view the plans visit Shropshire Council's planning website, with application number '17/05303/MAW'.

One giant hole may replace another

The site of a new proposed quarry in Shipley would be less than two miles away from Seisdon Quarry – which is due close at the end of the year.

JPE Holdings Ltd is proposing to extract a sand and gravel mineral resource form from land off the Bridgnorth Road, in Shipley.

It is proposed to replace the mineral extraction operations at Seisdon Quarry which is due to cease operations at the end of 2018.

Steven Birch, JPE Holdings LTD managing director, said: “Shipley has been submitted to form a direct replacement for Seisdon Quarry, which is approaching the end of operations and the sites would not produce mineral concurrently. This proposal has been under consideration for many years and is designed to maintain local mineral supplies to key market areas in the West Midlands.

“The supply of mineral is imperative in delivering Government, national and local priorities including providing for housing and business growth and supporting wider infrastructure including our schools, hospitals and transport corridors. The proposals would also directly retain and support 50 jobs from the local area, as well as jobs in the wider economy.

“As the proposals will be a replacement for Seisdon Quarry, much of the traffic already exists within the wider local area, including those accessing the A454 Bridgnorth Road. Overall, HGV movements will continue to form a very small proportion of overall traffic flows. The proposals allow for direct access to the A454 rather than via local rural roads, which should improve the situation for local villages.”

JPE Holdings LTD took over Seisdon Quarry in 2014, from the previous owner and operator Lafarge Tarmac, which operated the site as Tarmac for more than 20 years.

The quarry has operated in some form – originally as three separate quarries – since the late 1940s with levels of activity varying due to market demand.