Environmental Considerations
Quarrington Quarry
We are working with a team of specialists who have carried out detailed environmental assessments on the proposed extension and change to the extraction scheme at Quarrington Quarry. This helps us to ensure that our design considers and mitigates any potential impacts on our closest neighbours, the community, and the wider local environment. It also helps us to establish a benchmark for future monitoring and compliance at the site.
These detailed environmental assessments have concluded that Quarrington Quarry will continue to operate within acceptable environmental standards, remaining as a key supplier of local high-quality sand and hard rock to local and regional markets. It will also increase County Durham’s capacity to accommodate locally produced inert materials left over from construction projects, instead of it potentially travelling long distances to sites less close to source. The proposed development would not result in any additional impacts on local amenity than those already consented through the site’s existing permissions. Despite the required time extension to allow for the site to be restored, any impacts are still considered to be temporary and reversible. A summary of the areas investigated are shown below:
Biodiversity
An Ecological Impact Assessment has been undertaken to assess the likely significant effects on biodiversity as a result of this application. The assessment draws from a desk study and a number of field studies undertaken within the application area, the quarry and the surrounding area. By incorporating mitigation measures, the proposed works will be able to take place without there being a significant effect on locally important nature conservation sites and habitats. Overall, the biodiversity gain from the restored site will likely be far greater than at present, thereby resulting in a beneficial effect. The restored landform will also provide ecological enhancement with the creation of habitats such as calcareous grassland, the creation of several small wildlife ponds adjacent to areas of grassland, hedgerows and scrub.
Water resources
The proposed mineral extraction and restoration would not result in any negative impacts on water resources because extraction would continue to be above the water table. The continued implementation of good industry guidance and best practice measures would limit the potential for contamination from fuel or oil. The site is not considered to be at risk of flooding from rivers, groundwater and surface water, and this application will not result in the site increasing offsite flood risk.
Air quality
The vast majority of dust emissions would be large particles that would not move more than 100m from the site. However, in order to ensure there is no nuisance caused in the local area, mitigation measures are implemented onsite and enacted through our Dust Management Plan. With these in place, any dust generated (for example from soil stripping, extraction, haulage, and processing) is controlled at source. Such measures include the dampening of haul roads, vehicle speeds restricted to 10mph, minimising drop heights when loading minerals into vehicles and the sheeting of all HGVs leaving the site.
Noise
Predicted noise levels have been calculated for both long-term and temporary operations using worst-case assumptions to model the potential impact. The assessment concludes that noise levels arising from working the site would continue to conform to the site’s established noise limits for nearby residential properties. Accordingly, the overall noise impact on the surrounding residential properties would be negligible and therefore acceptable.
Transport
A transport assessment has been carried out in support of this application. The assessment finds that the surrounding road network continues to have sufficient capacity and can continue to accommodate quarry vehicles safely. The local highway network also benefits from the recently upgraded A1 Bowburn roundabout, further improving capacity, signage and pedestrian access around the junction. The number of HGV movements would continue at existing levels, which is typically in the region of 113 in and 113 out per day. Those living in the vicinity of current access routes would not be affected more so than by the existing conditions, which have previously been considered acceptable. No footpaths or bridleways would be obstructed as part of the proposed works.
Vibration
Ground vibration and accompanying air overpressure levels resulting from blasting will be at a low, safe level to minimise any potential impact upon nearby residents and structures. Vibration levels would be within the criteria set by the relevant guidance documents. There will be times when vibration would be possibly perceivable at the closest of properties, but no damage would be caused.
Climate change
A climate change assessment has been undertaken looking at total carbon emissions from the operation of the site. It concludes that the overall impact on climate change will be neutral.
Access and recreation
Potential impacts on access and recreation could potentially result from transport, noise and dust. The proposed works would not alter the site’s existing working conditions other than by extending the time period before the site is fully restored for a short period of approximately three to four additional years. Notwithstanding this, it is still considered that with the implementation of mitigation measures, such as sheeting vehicles and the use of water bowsers, any potential impacts on access and recreation would remain temporary and reversible and would not be unacceptable. Post restoration of the site would provide long-term benefits, including, for example, the reinstatement of Bridleway no. 34/35 on top of the Cold Knuckle escarpment.
Soil resources
All remaining soils at the site would be carefully stripped and stored for later use in restoration. For a short period, working the site would result in the loss of some low quality agricultural land, but following restoration, approximately 30 hectares of agricultural land would be created across the site. This would be in the form of small fields of species rich meadows that would either be grazed or cut for hay. While the emphasis is on nature conservation, the fields could be grazed as part of the effort to help establish a more diverse range of local species.
Cultural heritage
No designated / protected archaeological or heritage sites would be affected by the quarrying. The unworked areas of Old Quarrington have the potential for presently unknown remains to be discovered and, as a safeguard, the approved Archaeological Scheme of Investigation would continue to be implemented. This includes both earthwork surveys and an archaeological watching brief, which would be carried out intermittently throughout the future phases. This would allow for the recording and enhanced understanding of the significance of any potential assets that may be lost during the proposed development in a manner proportionate to their importance, and to make this evidence publicly accessible.
Landscape and visual impacts
There would be no additional landscape and visual impacts over and above that which is currently consented, other than the works taking place over a slightly longer period. As Cold Knuckle’s escarpment would be restored before the remainder of the site, its restoration would only require another three to four years longer than currently consented. Initial restoration of the eastern end of Cold Knuckle has been carried out to provide a visual screen for views from properties in Quarrington Hill and other residential properties. A slight reduction in gradient of the toe of the restored Cold Knuckle escarpment is proposed to improve slope stability, but is unlikely to be noticeable. The site’s current mitigation measures would continue to be implemented. This includes angling the working face away from the residential properties of Quarrington Hill and by undertaking progressive restoration, the provision of screening banks and the retention of surrounding woodland. After restoration the character of the site landscape would be improved.