Quarry firm considers extending site into woodland

The existing quarry site marked in blue and the proposed extension marked in red

A firm that own a large quarry has discussed plans to extend its site south into a woodland area with a local council.

Hanson Quarry Products is consulting with Dorset Council's minerals and waste officers on its proposals to expand Hyde Pit near Wareham by 15 hectares.

The existing quarry, off Puddletown Road, covers an area of around 40 hectares.

If approved the company estimates it would be able to extract an extra two million tonnes of material and will would extend the working life of the pit, also known as Masters Hyde Pit, by another 10 to 15 years, including restoration.

The current permission takes the pit use until February 2042.

The company says the semi-circular extension is largely into an area of commercial woodland known as The Great Plantation which has recently been partially cleared with many standing coniferous trees.

The nearest buildings are the Budden's Farm activity centre, previously a Scout campsite, and the Dorset Golf and Country Club.

The proposed operating hours would remain the same and access to the new site would be via the existing quarry, with machinery currently on site to be used for the extension.

The application says there would be no significant increase in HGV traffic into or out of the site although the extended use would mean more lorries over a longer period, if the planning application, when lodged, is agreed.