Gloucestershire County Council ordered to pay £180k after quarry appeal

A planning inspector overturned Gloucestershire County Council's decision to refuse the application

A council has been ordered to pay £180,000 after its refusal of a proposed quarry was overturned.

Gloucestershire County Council (GCC) refused Moreton C Cullimore Ltd's application to build a quarry at Bow Farm in Twyning in January 2023.

But the applicant appealed and a planning inspector granted permission for the scheme, ordering GCC pay the full costs of the appeal proceedings.

A GCC spokesperson said: "We note the inspector's report and decision."

They added that the council had been "actively engaging with the applicant accordingly".

Cullimore's application, which includes building a road off the A38, along with a weighbridge and processing plant, was met with strong opposition from hundreds of residents when submitted.

GCC's refused permission due to environmental concerns, saying it was contrary to its decision to declare a climate emergency and represented a "significant risk of harm" to the local economy due to "dust and noise generating activities".

The planning application covers land off the A38 near Twyning

An appeal hearing was held on 5 December 2023, conducted by a planning inspector appointed by the Secretary of State, who overturned the refusal, meaning planning permission has now been granted.

The inspector acknowledged the perception of harm, but concluded that the evidence did not indicate the proposal "would give rise to unacceptable levels of air, dust and noise".

They added that the scheme would not have a material impact on the environment and it would bring "economic benefit" locally.

In determining the cost decision, the inspector said the development "should not have reasonably been refused" and that the decision had constituted unreasonable behaviour by GCC's planning committee, contrary to national planning guidance.

The inspector also suggested further training for planning committee members to avoid a similar situation in future.