Controversial quarry for A12 at Brockley Wood is approved

Suffolk County Council's Development and Regulation Committee met on Tuesday morning to consider plans for a new quarry off the A12, which had been recommended for approval. 

A 35.7-hectare site off the A12 at Brockley Wood, between Belstead and Bentley, was identified as one of nine allocated sand and gravel extraction sites in the county, with a planned 2.8m tonnes to be extracted over a 15-year period.

Suffolk County Council's Development and Regulation Committee met on Tuesday morning to consider plans for the quarry (Image: Bentley Parish Council)

The plans had been controversial, with over 120 objections lodged that raised concerns over noise, biodiversity, loss of public footpaths and, most often, traffic.

The meeting heard that lorries on the site would be restricted by a Lorry Route Management Plan to only using routes from and onto the A12.

The council's monitoring and enforcement officer said if breaches are found, notices can be served.

However, Adrian Ward, chair of Copdock and Washbrook Parish Council, called the HGV plan 'woefully inadequate' and Cllr Christopher Hudson, who represents Belstead Brook, branded the project an 'environmental catastrophe'. 

Neil Ward, acting on behalf of the applicant, said: "The application is supported by an Environmental Impact Assessment which concluded that no significant environmental impact would result." 

He added that all traffic would use the A12 and this would be monitored at the site, with a liaison group also planned to include members of the community. 

He said comments that the plan would be an environmental catastrophe were "totally over the top." 

Cllr Stuart Bird (Image: SCC)

Cllr Lance Stanbury, for Mildenhall, expressed support for the plan, and Cllr Stuart Bird, representing Felixstowe North and Trimley, recommended approval, seconded by Cllr Heike Sowa, for Haverhill Cangle.

Cllr Richard Kemp disagreed, and said: "I can't see why we can't get some restrictions on those minor roads that are concerning to the people sitting here today.

"Is it beyond the wit of this authority not to make sure by weight restrictions or whatever that those roads can't be used?"

Cllr Richard Kemp (Image: SCC)

The proposal to approve the plan went to a vote and six councillors voted in favour, two against and one abstained, meaning it was approved.

Following the approval, angry cries erupted from the public gallery and one resident could be heard shouting "shame, absolute shame".