Cricklade and North Wiltshire targeted in quarry plans (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Cricklade and North Wiltshire targeted in quarry plans

4:40pm Tuesday 19th June 2012 in Cotswolds news By Laura Shack

CRICKLADE and North Wiltshire areas have been targeted in plans to create seven new quarry sites for Wiltshire.

Following extensive consultation, Wiltshire Council’s cabinet today agreed to a scheme that will see 1.2million tonnes of sand and gravel extracted every year up to 2026.

Of seven new sites proposed to meet the demand across the county, five are based near to Cricklade and Ashton Keynes.

The other two include an extension to Brickworth Quarry near Salisbury, and one in Compton Bassett near Calne.

The plans have been opposed by residents in North Wiltshire, who are worried that the developments will cause a surge in HGV traffic on local roads.

The draft plan agreed by cabinet in today's meeting proposes that only 1.2 million tonnes of sand and gravel should be extracted every year rather than the 1.41 million recommended by the government.

And because of this change, the original number of potential sites was reduced from 62 to 22, with seven final choices identified.

Cabinet member for economy, Fleur de Rhe-Philipe, said: “We believe we have a sound plan. We challenged the government’s guideline figure on how much sand and gravel should be quarried in the county through the period up to 2026 because over the last 10 years, on average, we have been producing just 1.1 millions of tonnes of sand and gravel.

“Our final round of consultation has also been reflected in the plan and all the comments received will be considered by the planning inspector the government appoints to examine the proposals.

“We are confident that the plan is robust and meets the needs of the mineral industry and of our local communities.

“We will continue to ensure that any work to develop sand and gravel sites involves the close co-operation of the local community.”

The full council will discuss the plan on June 26 and if it is given the go ahead the plan will be submitted to government and examined by an independent planning inspector.

Formal adoption is scheduled for early 2013.