Villagers near Ipswich join to fight against quarry plans

Villagers from Westerfield, Tuddenham St Martin and Witnesham were joined by Suffolk County Councillor Elaine Bryce at the first public meeting of Stop the Quarry at Witnesham Parish Hall on Wednesday evening.

The group were also joined by villagers from other parishes such as Ashbocking and Coddenham, as well as Nick Green - who spearheaded the Stop the Northern Bypass Campaign in 2019.

TRU7 Group announced its plans for the quarry several months ago. In its pre-application submission, it said there would be "no loss of material heritage assets" as a result of the development.

TRU7 also outlined how it plans to minimise the impact of the project on the nearby area if it is approved, including reducing noise, pollution and waste.

Witnesham Village Hall was packed with people wanting to express their opposition to the quarry plans (Image: Oli Picton) Speaking before the hall, Mr Green said: "We have a tough fight, a huge uphill battle ahead of us, these plans represent the misery of everybody for the profit of a few."

Plans were announced in August for the proposed quarry in the Fynn Valley, between the three villages of Westerfield, Tuddenham St Martin and Witnesham.

It was revealed that as well as 1.7million tonnes of material being extracted from the landscape over a 16-year period, a processing plant will be built on the site which would process material from other locations.

The planned location for the site is between three villages north of Ipswich, Westerfield, Tuddenham St Martin and Witnesham (Image: Google Maps) The plans indicate that 126 HGVs will move to and from the site each day, making a total of 252 journeys that residents fear will have "devastating" impact on the roads, traffic, air quality, will cause noise pollution and untold environmental impact in the Fynn Valley area.

Almost 350 objections from locals have been lodged against the proposals.

The purpose of the meeting was to appeal to the wider community for more volunteers in the Stop the Quarry campaign, and to take the next steps in the organising of the villagers' opposition.

Elaine Bryce, Suffolk county councillor for the Carlford division, has issued her opposition towards the proposals (Image: Oli Picton) Elaine Bryce, Suffolk county councillor, had joined leaders of the Stop the Quarry campaign in a meeting in October and spoke before the packed-out hall on Wednesday evening.

She said: "It is so good to see so many people here tonight as it shows the strength of feeling towards these preposterous proposals.

"I am here to represent you and plan to fight these absurd plans robustly.

The Stop the Quarry campaign came together for the first public meeting to discuss how to fight against the quarry plans (Image: Oli Picton) "When we came together in opposition to the Northern Bypass, I saw what the power of working together can do to protect the communities and that is what we need to do now."

The shadow of the Northern Bypass looms large over the villagers in the area with the campaign to defeat the quarry considered "just as big", some residents said.

Mr Green addressed the campaign and called for residents to step up.

Nick Green, who had experience with the Stop the Northern Bypass campaign in 2019 spoke before the packed out hall (Image: Oli Picton)

He said: "Time is not on our side - when the formal application comes through there will be 21 days to get a proper objection together.

"We need publicity to make sure people know what they are planning to do.

"And we need research to oppose their own research to look at every detail and pick it to pieces."

Nick Green, councillor Elaine Bryce and Patrick Spencer MP were all in attendance at a private Stop the Quarry meeting held in October. (Image: Elaine Bryce) The MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, Patrick Spencer, was not in attendance but has previously pledged his support for the campaign against the quarry plans. 

Nick Green is opposed to the plans (Image: Archant)

TRU7 Group, based in Kesgrave, had pledged to meet the villagers to address their concerns in a meeting which was scheduled for November - however, this consultation has been pushed back to January. 

The developer said: "Tru7 is a local, third generation family-owned business.

"The company’s plans remain at an early stage and if progressed would be subject to the planning process. 

"At this time, a planning application has not been submitted. If the company chooses to progress the proposal, we will engage sincerely with the local community to minimise any disruption and maximise opportunities for employment and for the environment."