7th July 2015

OTTERY: Town council united against plans for quarry at Straitgate

by Peter Hodges

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OTTERY councillors have united in opposition to controversial plans for a 100-acre quarry on the edge of the town.

All members of the town council’s planning committee stood against the proposals, submitted by Aggregate Industries, which would lead to a large sand and gravel quarry being created at Straitgate Farm.

Around 60 residents attended last week’s meeting, held in West Hill, near to the proposed site.

Members of the public made a series of impassioned speeches outlining their opposition to the plans, which were described as “absolutely appalling”.

AI’s proposals include starting development at Straitgate Farm, while extending the life of the nearby Blackhill Quarry until 2021 – a further five years from its expiration date.

Residents have expressed concern about the potential for more than 200 lorry journeys a day between the two sites on the busy B3180 passing through West Hill.

Other issues that were brought forward included the potential visual and noise impacts created by the project, and possible interference with planes landing and taking off from Exeter Airport.

Dr Margaret Hall, chairman of the West Hill Residents Association, said: “One of our main concerns is over the transporting of material to and from Straitgate to Blackhill Quarry for processing, along the B3180 through West Hill.

“We know from the current experience of lorries going from Marsh Broadmoor along the same route just how much noise and damage to the road and roadside verges there is, and the safety concerns with so many HGV movements.”

Dr Hall also said that a risk of flooding to Ottery and potential damage to Woodbury Common were also factors in the association’s objection to the plans.

Councillor Roger Giles, who proposed that the committee formally object to the application, said: “I was very pleased that there were so many excellent contributions from members of the public expressing their concerns.

“And I was extremely pleased that my Ottery St Mary Town Council colleagues recognised that there would be dreadful consequences for the local community if the absolutely appalling application were to be approved.”

John Penny, Aggregate Industries estates manager for the South West, said: “The proposal has been subject to a thorough environmental impact assessment which has examined the potential impacts on residential amenity, wildlife, landscape, transport, archaeology and the water environment.

“The high qualty material, which is proposed to be worked at Straitgate Farm, would make a valuable contribution to Devon in being able to meet the needs of the county and avoid having to import minerals from further afield.”

The application will be discussed by planning chiefs at East Devon District Council next Wednesday (July 15th).

CAPTION: ‘APPALLING’ | Cllr Roger Giles, Cllr Claire Wright and chairman of the West Hill Residents Association Margaret Hall are among those concerned about plans for a quarry at Straitgate Farm

OTTERY: Town council united against plans for quarry at Straitgate

OTTERY: Town council united against plans for quarry at Straitgate

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