Residents against a proposal to open a 105-hectare quarry at Thorrington have been urged not to miss the deadline to submit their objections to Essex County Council(ECC).
Over 160 residents packed a public meeting in Brightlingsea Community Centre on Monday, March 4, where they were told more about why the Thorrington Hall site – bordering the road into Brightlingsea – has been chosen and how it might be stopped.
Alan Goggin, Brightlingsea’s representative on ECC told the meeting that the requirement to earmark sources of aggregates comes from central government and applies to all similar authorities.
He pointed out that new homes, roads, schools, and more all need minerals. “The problem is trying to meet the demand and cover the aspirations of residents,” he said.
The Tendring district is a rich source of aggregates and the Thorrington site, owned by Cambridge University’s Trinity College, could provide up to 4.7m tonnes of sand and gravel if it is given the go-ahead. It’s one of 52 potential new sites in Essex.
However, Cllr Goggin said that there were several factors that mitigated against the site – first earmarked for aggregate extraction 20 years ago. He circulated a document, originally prepared for ECC members by independent consultants, which used a traffic light system – red, amber, green or RAG – to list pros and cons. The full list is given below.
A ‘red’ listing means that the impact would be serious, requiring high levels of mitigation to make the site appropriate. Among those marked red or red/amber were health and amenity, the proximity of the Grade II listed St Mary Magdalen church, removal of public rights of way and vehicle access.
The site would require a new access road on the the B1027 Clacton Road, with trucks having to head to Clacton to join the A133 to avoid the 7.5 tonne weight restriction on the railway bridge at Alresford.
“The Thorrington site is in the top of the bottom 10%,” said Cllr Goggin. “It has more reds and ambers than many other sites.”
The main gas feed to Brightlingsea runs through the site, he added, along with electricity pylons, water and waste water pipes.
With the consultation deadline of March 19 fast approaching, Cllr Goggin urged those at the meeting to get their objections in and – if possible – add weight to the areas that have so far been given a lower priority.
“The key word is consultation. This is a period when consultation is key,” he said. “If you don’t put your response in your opinion will not be heard.”
With residents from Brightlingsea, Thorrington, Alresford and Great Bentley at the meeting, objection raised included the effect on air quality, noise, increased – possibly 500 or more daily – truck movements, damage to roads, and the loss of wildlife, habitat and agricultural land.
The lack of consultation was also criticised, as the only residents who were notified of the proposal lived within 250 metres of the site.
“This will affect everyone in Brightlingsea, Thorrington, Great Bentley & Alresford,” said one resident. “Groups objecting are doing the leg work that ECC should have done.”
Away from the meeting, Lee Scott, ECC’s Cabinet Member for Planning a Growing Economy, said: “Minerals are essential to our way of life and we need a proper plan in place to secure an adequate supply to support the development and future growth of Essex.
“I would reiterate no decisions on potential sites have been made at this stage and we will take the views of our communities into account as the Replacement Essex Minerals Local Plan is finalised.”
The consultation closes on Tuesday, March 19 and can be found here. The Thorrington site has the reference A74.
The meeting was organised by Brightlingsea Town Council and a video recording can be seen here.
Summary of RAG Assessment
Landscape and Visual Sensitivity – Amber
Biodiversity – Red/Amber
Historic Buildings – Red/Amber
Archaeology – Amber
Flooding – Amber
Transport – Amber/Green
Access – Red/Amber
Public Rights of Way – Red/Amber
Geo-Environmental – Green
Hydrology, Hydrogeology and Drainage – Amber/Green
Air Quality – Green
Soil Quality – Amber
Services & Utilities – Red/Amber
Health & Amenity – Red
Green Belt – Green
Airport Safeguarding Zones – Green
