Proposals
Quarrington Quarry
Rationale
The quarry has several different planning consents attached to it. One of these permissions allows for the importation of materials (such as soils, bricks and clay left over from construction projects) into the Old Quarrington part of the site for restoration purposes. However, there is currently no consent for importing these materials into the Cold Knuckle part of the quarry, situated to the south. In this southern area, which is where current workings are taking place, limestone is extracted and put to one side to enable commercial extraction of the underlying sand. Once the sand has been extracted, the limestone is required as a fill material to restore the escarpment (steep slope or long cliff) close to its original appearance.
This planning application is seeking approval to amend this current working scheme to allow the valuable limestone resource currently used to restore the escarpment to be processed and sold as construction aggregate, with additional material being imported to replace it. This amendment will release significant additional limestone reserves which is a valuable construction material. The footprint of the site will not change from the existing footprint and the restoration profile will remain as currently permitted.
Sustainability
Whilst this proposal will add three to four years to the timescale for the restoration of the southern part of the quarry, the use of extracted limestone, together with the ability to import additional materials as a substitute, is a sustainable use of resources. The proposals, if consented, would also prevent less suitable sites being used for mineral extraction. As currently approved, the hill will be restored to a different slope than the original and this will mean that the Bridleway 34/35 will be reinstated on the “new” escarpment, slightly further to the north. The proposed planning application will not change this situation as it is considered that the approved restoration contours are optimal in landscape terms.
Economic benefits
Community benefits
The restoration scheme would remain the same as is currently permitted, providing a sustainable landform that includes enhanced ecological and habitat provisions. These provisions focus on nature conservation, including naturally established magnesian limestone grassland, species-rich calcareous grassland, dew ponds, hedgerows, scrub, and woodland. Onsite biodiversity will therefore be significantly improved and retained under these proposals.
There would also be benefits to local residents, especially in terms of views and with the restoration of Bridleway no. 34/35 (located on top of the Cold Knuckle escarpment) which would provide additional local access. Whilst there is currently an alternative route for that bridleway that runs along the foot of the hill, the final restoration of the escarpment will enable it to be reinstated, meaning the local paths network will be improved and enhanced. We will continue to liaise with local landowners and Durham County Council to see whether further enhancements to the rights of way network could be provided.
Design
Extraction operations would proceed in the remaining four extraction phases in an easterly direction – these are shown as Phases 2 to 5 "Mineral Extraction and imported infill" (adjacent). As extraction progresses eastwards the worked areas to the west would be progressively filled with quarry materials and imported soils, clays and bricks.
This progressive restoration would minimise the extent of unvegetated land and will reduce visual disturbance to the escarpment. The minerals within Phase 6 have already been extracted and infilling will begin once Phase 5 has been restored.
Operations
The amount of mineral being exported from the site and the amount of material being imported into the site would remain very similar to that which currently takes place. Operational conditions will therefore remain as currently permitted, including hours of working, site access, restoration proposals etc.