Villagers to get say on quarry (From Tewkesbury Admag)

Villagers to get say on quarry

PROTESTERS who won a battle to stop mineral works which they say would have devastated their communities will now have a say in the planning process.

Warwickshire County Council has set up a forum to allow villagers to give their views on sand and gravel extraction after plans for an extension to the Marsh Farm Quarry at Salford Priors were withdrawn.

Minerals company Cemex submitted an application to Stratford District Council last year for permission to dig for another five years. The plans were strongly opposed by villagers and the parish councils.

Cemex representatives finally decided to pull the plug on the proposal on the grounds that they were seeking an alternative site, as they did not want to damage goodwill with local people.

The county council announced this month that it would be forming a new minerals development framework as part of a local planning policy which would come under a new legislation.

The council is keen to have villagers join the group which will seek people's involvement in the early stages of the process and create a new policy.

Bidford councillor Peter Barnes was delighted with the news: "I'm very pleased that the committee is coming to Bidford. It's something that the residents of Bidford have been wanting for a long time. It's not come soon enough."

Parish councillor Phil Smith said: "The Minerals Development forum is a welcome development. One of the many problems with the proposed Broom Court Farm Quarry development in Bidford was the almost total lack of consultation with local residents. This lack of consultation resulted in a planned development, which was simply not appropriate for the area. I'm sure many Bidford residents will attend the forum which is to be held next month."

Councillor Chris Saint who has responsibility for planning policy, said individuals and communities should take advantage of the active role they can play in planning for sustainable mineral extraction.

Anyone with an interest in sustainable minerals development is encouraged to take part in Warwickshire's Minerals Development Forum which will be held in Bidford on Friday, March 10 from 6pm to 8pm.