A new Minerals Plan which includes sites for future quarrying is nearing completion. The plan covers the Dorset and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council areas.
The Mineral Sites Plan identifies sites to meet the need for sand, gravel, stone and ball clay in the future.
The plan includes seven sites for sand and gravel, a site in Purbeck for the production of crushed rock, five small scale Purbeck Stone quarries, three extensions to building stone sites in north and west Dorset and a site for the production of recycled aggregates near Poole.
The Secretary of State appointed Inspector Elizabeth Ord to conduct an examination to consider whether the Mineral Sites Plan has been prepared in accordance with legal and procedural requirements and whether it is sound.
Public hearing sessions were held in the autumn of 2018 with a further session in February 2019 to consider the proposals. Following these public sessions, changes to the plan were made and the councils are encouraging people to consider the issues discussed and comment on the proposed changes.
Cllr David Walsh, Dorset Council’s portfolio holder for Planning said:
“We strongly encourage people to give us their views on the proposed changes during this consultation. This is the final opportunity to comment on proposals.”
The consultation runs until 20 June 2019.
Visit www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/mineral-sites for more information
Allow continuation and expansion. Do not i terfere with private enterprise.
I hope that the proposed quarry / extraction site extensions will not have an impact on Sculpture by the Lakes, the sculpture park at Pallington Lakes. The marked site AS26 seems to be very close to the sculpture park. The sculpture park is a beautiful, peaceful place and an asset to the county. Although it is run as a business, it is sensitively managed to provide excellent habitats for wildlife, as well as for the enjoyment of people who visit and I very much hope that this will continue.