Objection deadline extended to 22nd April 2024 - Please object today!
We need your help urgently:
Please oppose the plans to build a quarry at the Barton/Mill Hill site in Nottinghamshire
Please note: link above takes you to a disclaimer first
All objections must be submitted by 22nd April 2024
We must stop this application to preserve this precious Nottinghamshire countryside! Thank you for taking the time to help, we aim to make it as easy as possible so you’ll find everything you need here to make your objection.
We know many of you have objected before but past objections do not count, so it’s essential to object again even if it’s short and simple. You can write or email, every objection counts so please do OBJECT!
Why are we opposed to the quarry?
Ever since it was first proposed in 2014, the local communities have opposed the development of a quarry which would cover all the land between Barton in Fabis alongside the Trent as far as Clifton Woods.
This site would have an estimated life of 12 years and an output of 200,000 tonnes every year and would not be restored and established for up to 25 years.
We managed to delay an initial planning application in 2017 and a revised planning application in 2021 was withdrawn in 2022 after another successful campaign. There were over 1,000 written objections to the last application, but unfortunately previous objections do not count and we need to show we won’t tire, so we need to do even more this time!
How the area looks now:
What it could look like if the quarry goes ahead, this is the applicant’s other quarry:
The effect on people and communities
26,000 people live within 1.5km of the site.
This site will create a lot of dust! It will have a worrying impact on air quality in a populated area.
No consideration has been given to the residents of Lark Hill Retirement Village, which the site will overlook - 40% of residents have breathing difficulties. The residents have had the threat of this quarry hang over them for 10 years of their retirement now!
Gravel extraction will involve huge, heavy and noisy machinery operating on the site 6 days a week and 11 hours a day. Dewatering pumps will at times run day and night.
The site will require a giant processing site at Mill Hill with 29,000 lorry movements each year and will significantly add to already problematic traffic levels.
Attenborough nature reserve is 70m from the edge of the site, which attracts more than 600,000 visitors annually.
The footpath between Clifton and Barton is heavily used by walkers, cyclists, runners and horse riders and no alternative is possible.
We have the support of all our local County, Borough and City Councillors and our MPs Lilian Greenwood and Ruth Edwards. But we really need your support too!
The effect on the environment
This proposal would devastate 79 hectares (200 acres) of prime wildlife habitat and feeding grounds for birds using Attenborough Nature Reserve.
The whole valley area between the river and Clifton Woods would be destroyed for at least 12 years and even then, would never be the same.
The peace and quiet of this countryside that many enjoy would be permanently damaged – remember how many people valued that during lockdown and continue to do so!
There are many red list (critically endangered) and even more amber list species potentially impacted by the development of the site.
The quarry will have a huge impact on Two Sites of Special Scientific Interest - SSSIs (Attenborough Nature Reserve and Holme Pit) and 7 Local Wildlife Sites are directly or indirectly impacted by the proposed development.
The surrounding woodlands are officially designated as ‘Ancient Woodlands’ and would be impacted by habitat loss, noise, light and dust.
There is extensive ancient ‘ridge and furrow’ land adjacent to the proposed site that will be affected.
The development would result in substantial harm during the operational phase to the setting of the Grade 1 listed Clifton Hall.
It doesn’t make sense!
Nottingham County Council’s own analysis showed that this site is the least sustainable of all the potential sites considered in the county both during the operational phase and in the long term.
There is no significant advantage to this site over other potential sites in the South of the County and neighbouring counties in terms of the market for aggregates.
Nottinghamshire already has enough supplies of sand and gravel to last 15 years (over twice the government target of 7 years) and demand is falling.
AND
It will not stop there, if planning permission is granted then in future years the County Council is likely to approve extensions which would further affect surrounding areas such as Barton in Fabis, Thrumpton and towards Nottingham city.