Firm defends quarry plan after 100-strong protest

The entrance to Breedon's existing quarry at West Deeping

A construction firm has defended plans for a new quarry near a Lincolnshire village.

Breedon Group has proposed the facility – to replace a neighbouring quarry – for land near West Deeping, near Market Deeping.

Last month, more than 100 people took part in a demonstration against the project, claiming it would ruin their quality of life.

However, Breedon said it was following due process and the land was an allocated site within Lincolnshire County Council's minerals and waste local plan.

Speaking at a meeting of the council's environment and economy scrutiny committee on Tuesday, Maria Cotton, the planning and estates manager at Breedon, said: “Before a plan is adopted, it will be considered by independent appointed planning inspectors.

“Breedon will continue to engage with the development plan process through all stages of the consultation.”

Protesters outside a Breedon consultation event last month

The sand and gravel quarry is proposed for land to the south of the A1175.

According to Breedon, it would deliver a "needed supply of sand and gravel to local markets" and ensure the retention of jobs, including in the supply chain.

Residents have raised concerns about the quarry’s proximity to homes and the potential impact on Molecey Mill, a Grade II-listed building, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

'David and Goliath'

Ms Cotton questioned why West Deeping Parish Council had been allowed to speak about the proposal at a previous meeting of the committee on 28 May, to which Breedon had not been invited.

She said the parish council had "a clear objective of trying to persuade the committee to recommend the removal of [the] preferred site", and this was "procedurally unfair and potentially unlawful".

However, Councillor Ashley Baxter, the leader of South Kesteven District Council, said her comments were "like Goliath complaining about David having a sling".

Members of the committee were told any attempt to update the minerals and waste local plan, in order to remove the land from the list of preferred sites, would have to go out to public consultation.

They voted in favour of moving the plan forward. It will now go to an eight-week consultation, subject to final approval from the county council’s executive at a meeting next week.

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