Inquiry opens into controversial quarry plan

The earmarked land sits between Ellenbrook and Smallford, near Hatfield in Hertfordshire

Blueprints for a quarry on the site of a former private airfield are being scrutinised at a planning inquiry.

Brett Aggregates wants to extract up to eight million tonnes of sand and gravel over 32 years at the former Hatfield Aerodrome.

Hertfordshire County Council rejected its latest plan earlier this year and an appeal was subsequently lodged with the Planning Inspectorate.

The opening day of the inquiry heard the council would now be in favour of allowing the quarry "subject to the imposition of suitable conditions".

The final decision is due to be made by the secretary of state at the end of the inquiry, which could last 10 days.

Richard Kimblin KC, acting for Brett Aggregates, told those present on Monday it was "essential" there was a sufficient supply of minerals to allow the government to deliver on housing.

"Without mineral extraction, the social and economic benefits of new-built development cannot be delivered," he said.

Campaigners are urging the Planning Inspectorate to throw out the appeal

Mr Kimblin also highlighted the role the site would have in accepting quantities of inert waste, such as concrete and plaster.

"Over a million tonnes a year of residual inert waste need to be beneficially disposed of within Hertfordshire," he added.

Mr Kimblin warned a quarry was needed as by 2030 there would be "insufficient capacity to manage" the waste, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

'Significant accident risks'

Campaigners from Colney Heath Group, however, urged the quarry proposal should be rejected.

Speaking for the group, Sue Meehan said the plan was "a significant threat to the character, safety and environmental integrity" of the area.

She told the hearing the quarry's projected sand and gravel output would be "relatively minor" but the toll on the environment would be "substantial".

Ms Meehan added: "The proposed extraction simply does not warrant the harm it will inflict on our local resources, environment and quality of life."

The campaigner also warned increased traffic on the A1057 would "significantly heighten accident risks".

The application for the quarry included new access onto the road, as well as an aggregate processing plant.

It was initially refused by the county council on eight grounds, focused on the area's green belt, heritage, residential amenity, landscape character, biodiversity, public access, highway concerns and groundwater.