Brightlingsea residents against a possible 105 hectare quarry in Thorrington are among more than 4,000 residents who have had their say on the future of minerals development in Essex.
Essex County Council is required by law to publish a Minerals Local Plan, which provides planning policies for minerals development and identifies future sites for mineral extraction, or quarrying.
The nearest to Brightlingsea is Thorrington Hall, which borders the B1027 and B1029 roads. If selected, up to 4.7 million tonnes of sand and gravel could be extracted from the site.
Objectors say it would damage the environment, create a health risk through increased dust and noise, cause the loss of wildlife habitat and damage roads through increased truck movements.
The council says that responses are now being published online, after which they will be assessed. Following this, amendments to the Replacement Essex Minerals Local Plan will be drafted and additional detailed technical assessment of sites will take place. The amended plan will then be published alongside a draft list of Preferred Site allocations.
Councillor Lee Scott, Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Planning a Growing Economy, said: “There has been significant interest in the Replacement Essex Minerals Local Plan from across the county and I would thank residents for their engagement during the consultation process. It will take some time to publish and assess the thousands of responses we have received. However, public feedback will be taken into account as the revised proposals are finalised.”
He added: “No decisions have been made at this stage and residents will have further chances to provide feedback on the revised proposals in due course.”
The amended plan will be subject to a further consultation, expected to take place this winter.
More information about the next steps for the Replacement Essex Minerals Local Plan can be found at www.essex.gov.uk/replacement-essex-minerals-local-plan-review-2025-2040/next-steps.
