Quarry plan delayed again as inquiry reopens

A decision on the application had originally been expected by 3 November when the planning inspector's report was put before the secretary of state in August

A planning inquiry has been reopened for a proposed quarry on the site of a former aerodrome, further delaying the decision on the project.

Hertfordshire County Council had expected a decision by 15 December on the application, which sought to extract eight million tonnes of sand and gravel from the former Hatfield Aerodrome site over 32 years.

But on Tuesday, they were informed that the inquiry into the application was to be reopened - and another new target date for the decision has yet to be set.

Liberal Democrat county councillor John Hale said he was "shocked and surprised" by the delay.

The government has been approached for comment.

Brett Aggregates is seeking to extract sand and gravel from the former aerodrome site, which sits between Smallford and Ellenbrook.

Campaigners have urged the Planning Inspectorate to throw out the appeal

The application was refused by Hertfordshire County Council in 2024, leading Brett to appeal against that refusal and to the application becoming subject to a two-week planning inquiry in November 2024.

In August 2025, the planning inspector's report was passed to the secretary of state for determination, with a decision then being expected by 3 November - but this was delayed to December.

Mr Hale said that, as well as continuing uncertainty, residents now faced a renewed need to focus on their campaign against the quarry.

"It's frustrating that this letter has come out six weeks before Christmas, one week after they were supposed to make a decision - after having had the report since the fourth of August," he said.

It is not yet clear whether the reopened inquiry will be an in-person event or will involve written submissions.

Local Democracy Reporting Service understands that it will focus on changes to the phasing or design that could lead to improved access to Ellenbrook Park and other amendments proposed by the planning inspector.

Although the county council initially refused permission for the application, in the run-up to the inquiry last year the authority withdrew its reasons for refusal.

And on the opening day of the inquiry, the hearing was told that "subject to the imposition of suitable conditions", the council had agreed that the appeal should be allowed.