CAMPAIGNERS OPPOSE QUARRY EXPANSION PLANS
Campaigners against the expansion of a Rutland quarry say planners must consider its future impact on the climate.
Heidelberg Materials UK is applying for permission to extract minerals from more land by its Grange Top Quarry in Ketton for use at its nearby cement works.
It also wants a 30-year extension to the quarry's operations.
However opponents of the plan said they are worried about carbon emissions from the quarry in the decades to come.
The company is applying to dig up limestone and clay from nearby fields, and to build a new access road from the A606.
The "Stop Grange Top Quarry Extension" group is opposing the plans.
It claims a recent landmark decision by the Supreme Court over an oil operation in Surrey should also apply to quarrying for cement.
The court ruled that planners in Surrey should have considered downstream greenhouse gas emissions from new oil wells before granting permission.
The group is arguing the ruling means Rutland County Council should now consider the full environmental impact of continuing to produce cement.
Campaigner Matthew Eatough said: “If [the extension] weren’t to be allowed, at some point in the next 10 years they would either have to close the plant or find a carbon-neutral way of producing cement.
“We think they need to take full account of a 30 year expansion of the biggest carbon emitter in the region."
Concerns have also been raised by Rutland and Stamford MP Alicia Kearns, who would like central government to consider the application rather than Rutland County Council.
Anglian Water has also lodged an objection, fearing the expansion of the quarry and associated blasting could compromise a main linked to Rutland Water.
The water main feeds a pumping station, designated part of the Critical National Infrastructure, supplying around one million households with water.
However Nigel Roberts, chair of Ketton Parish Council, said people living nearby would like to see the quarrying continue.
He said: “The parish council has no objection to the plan. In a lot of ways it does benefit the village.
“The proposed new road alleviates the traffic through the village and the neighbouring village of Tinwell.
“The relationship is very good, they look after the village, and there are a lot of people who work there so there’s job security.”
Heidelberg UK's land and mineral resources manager Mark Page said the application would secure jobs for 240 direct employees and up to 3,500 more in the supply chain, as well as diverting HGVs away from Tinwell and Ketton.
Mr Page added: “We are aware of the Supreme Court’s decision and, like any project developer have been considering what it may mean for the planning process.
“Heidelberg Materials remains committed to achieving net zero by 2050."
He said that included using carbon capture technology at Ketton.
Mr Page said Anglian Water’s concerns were “unfounded”.
A county council spokesperson said: "We are aware of the recent supreme court decision involving Surrey County Council and will be taking this into consideration as part of any planning officer recommendation regarding Grange Top Quarry.
"We have also requested additional information from Heidelberg UK, relating to emissions levels from the proposed quarry expansion, to support further public consultation with residents."
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