New haul road to Peak District quarry approved

The proposed haul road to Grange Mill Quarry would be used by lorries

Planners have granted permission for a new access road to be built to a quarry in the Peak District.

Derbyshire County Council approved a plan by applicant Ben Bennett Jr Ltd, for a new haul road on 0.84 hectares of land east of Grange Mill Quarry, near Wirksworth.

The quarry, located off the B5056 just south of the Peak District National Park, produces high-quality limestone used in products including pharmaceuticals, plastics, rubber, glass, and sealants.

A spokesperson for the council said the existing haul road was "likely to become increasingly unsafe over time", so the new road would replace that.

The proposed road would only be used for haulage operations and a one-metre high stone wall would be erected, with planted hedgerow along the route of an adjacent public bridleway, according to the council.

"The creation of a new haul road would allow HGVs to continue to access the south-east extension area of the quarry safely for the purposes of the extraction of high-purity limestone," the spokesperson said.

A spokesperson for Derbyshire Dales District Council - which raised no objections to the development - said "due regard" should be given to the adjacent right of way.

During a public consultation, one person raised concerns about potential dust, noise pollution, and the impact on the enjoyment of public rights of way.

However, the council had to consider concerns that without the proposed haul road, a sufficient supply of minerals from the quarry could not be established for its expected lifetime.

The authority said there was no clear viable alternative.

The council's planning committee approved planning permission for the scheme during a meeting earlier in July, subject to conditions including dust monitoring, noise and usage time restrictions.