Quarry blasting could go ahead despite objections

The quarry in Stutton was previously subject to a seven-year legal battle over its plans to expand

Blasting is set to be allowed at a North Yorkshire quarry despite environmental and noise concerns.

Planning permission granted to extend Jackdaw Crag Quarry, in Stutton, near Tadcaster, included a condition preventing the limestone from being extracted using blasting due to the impact on nearby residents.

Owners Darrington Quarries Ltd applied for the restriction to be lifted, but concerns were raised locally about noise, dust and vibrations.

North Yorkshire Council officers have recommended the condition's removal when members of the strategic planning committee meet on Tuesday.

Stutton-cum-Hazlewood Parish Council said it opposed the removal of the clause as "those who had experienced blasting previously at the quarry reflected disturbing vibration, increased dust and noise, all affecting their amenity and quality of life".

The parish council also shared concerns about increased lorry traffic impacting road safety in the area, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

However, a report for councillors stated the effects were likely to be minimal should the condition be removed.

Legal battle

The quarry is within protected green belt land, but council officers said the removal of the clause would not be classed as inappropriate development.

The report added: "It is considered on balance that there is a need for the mineral and there would be no unacceptable adverse environmental impacts resulting from the proposed blasting."

The report noted it would not be possible to extract the rock without the use of blasting.

The original application to extend the quarry was the subject of a seven-year legal battle after attempts were made to stop it by Samuel Smith's Brewery.

The Tadcaster brewery, which owns a nearby farm and draws water from an aquifer under the land, twice persuaded courts to overturn planning permission granted by the local authority.

But in 2020, the Supreme Court agreed with the council and declared the planning permission should stay in place.

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