Plans to extend size of Woodcote Wood Quarry in Shropshire

Woodcote Wood Quarry in Weston Heath produces materials including topsoil, sands, aggregates and clays

Plans to expand a sand and gravel quarry could extend its working life by five years, its operator has said.

NRS wants to extend the size of Woodcote Wood Quarry, which it operates in Weston Heath, Shropshire.

If approved, the plans could see 12.5 years of additional restoration works, which would see the site backfilled and planted with permanent woodland.

The firm has requested formal pre-application advice from both Shropshire Council and Telford & Wrekin Council.

The quarry produces materials including topsoil, sand, aggregates and clays.

Initial planning permission for sand and gravel extraction at the quarry was agreed by Shropshire Council in 2006, but a decision was only formally issued in 2018 due to delays in signing a Section 106 agreement.

This governs certain aspects of the development and the applicant's contribution to costs like highways.

The planned expansion of the site would see the current extraction area expanded by 5.6 hectares (14 acres) to the north.

'Gravel-rich reserves'

Planning agents said the extension would enable "greater access" to "gravel-rich" reserves within the east of the site.

"The proposed deepening and extension to the quarry would result in an increase in the operational life of mineral extraction at the quarry by approximately five years," the agents added in a planning document.

The firm said it would engage with the local community prior to the submission of a planning application.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.