Council objects to controversial quarry plan

Opponents of the project have raised a raft of concerns

A council has lodged objections to controversial proposals to develop a sand and gravel quarry next to houses in the village of Preesall.

The plans for Preesall, by developer Baxters, will be determined by Lancashire County Council's development control committee.

However, local authority Wyre Council has submitted a comment as a consultee on the plans, challenging them over a range of concerns.

The quarry scheme is earmarked for land at Bourbles Farm on Bourbles Lane, in Preesall, and would entail the extraction of sand and gravel to build a quarry, to remove an estimated 460,000 tonnes of sand and gravel and to insert 300,000 tonnes of tested soil, clay and hardcore.

The extraction and processing of the sand and gravel includes the construction of new site access roads, landscaping, a minerals washing plant and other associated infrastructure with restoration to leisure end-uses, agricultural land and biodiversity enhancement.

In December, Baxters submitted revised plans for the project, including updates on air quality assessment and ecological impact.

Raft of concerns

They have highlighted what they said is an urgent need for the facility in the Wyre.

However, opponents of the project have raised a raft of concerns, including the potential health impact, concerns over noise levels and congestion.

Greenfield Enviro, agents on behalf of Baxter Homes, previously said: "As part of the application process, all potential impacts on the local community and the local environment have been assessed and mitigation measures to minimise or eliminate any impacts have been clearly identified where they are deemed necessary.

"We are happy to work with Lancashire County Council on mitigation measures.

"Over the recent past, there has been a general increase in demand for construction aggregates across the county that is directly linked to an increase in construction activity.

"These supply shortages have directly impacted on The Baxter Group, thus they have identified a clear and demonstrable need for a new source of sand and gravel close to their own construction markets within the county."