Planning inspector approves quarry next to M1

Applicant Mick George Ltd said the quarry would process about 1.15 million tonnes of material on site near Upper Heyford

Plans to convert 38 hectares of land next to a village into a quarry have been approved following an appeal.

Mick George Ltd hoped to use land just off junction 16 of the M1 in Northamptonshire to extract sand and gravel over six years.

Previously, West Northamptonshire Council refused the application despite its planning officers recommending it for approval.

However, after a hearing in June, the government's Planning Inspectorate said permission should be granted.

The proposed quarry would process about 1.15 million tonnes of material on site near Upper Heyford, near Northampton.

In May, 67 members of the public from nearby villages submitted objections about noise, effects on their amenities, air pollution from dust and potential health risks.

Objections were also submitted by Nether Heyford, Upper Heyford and Flore parish councils.

Representative of Huntingdon-based Mick George Ltd, John Gough, said neither Public Health England not the council environmental health officer had "raised any concerns or objections".

The planning inspector said disruption caused by the quarry would only be "temporary harm"

In their decision, the planning inspector said the proposal would "inevitably" have an impact on the character and appearance of the landscape through the removal of existing vegetation, lighting and activity of lorries.

They said the works would take about 10 years to complete..

"I acknowledge that this may seem like a long period for those living nearby, but it is nonetheless temporary harm," they said.

In regard to noise concerns, the planning inspector said mineral extraction would take place between 07:00 and 18:00 on Mondays to Fridays and until 13:00 on Saturdays.

However, it agreed mineral processing, soil washing and HGV movements would be able to take place between 07:00 and 22:00 on weekdays.

The planning inspector said: "I have found the proposed development would not result in unacceptable effects on any neighbouring property or that residents would suffer unacceptable harm to their living conditions."