Yorkshire villagers fear quarry expansion could harm nature reserve that has been a 'godsend' during lockdown

Went Valley Aggregates have applied to extract nearly five million tonnes of stone from a field that runs alongside Brockadale nature reserve, near Kirk Smeaton.

The field is agricultural land and part of the Green Belt, as well as being beside the main road that links the historic villages of Kirk Smeaton and Wentbridge.

The parish council believe the proposals would mean quarrying would take place on the nature reserve's doorstep and potentially cause 'catastrophic' damage to wildlife and the environment.

They have described the location as 'highly sensitive'.

A previous application to expand the quarry was approved by North Yorkshire County Council in 2018, and the residents believe this was in contravention of the Local Plan was well as Selby Council's planning guidelines.

Parish council chair Tricia Storey said: "You only have to visit the quarry to see that the development has not preserved the openness of the Green Belt or safeguarded the countryside from encroachment. This former Green Belt agricultural land has now become part of a major industrial estate."

Local Plans are produced after extensive consultation with members of the public and once they have been approved by the council they become part of planning policy. Kirk Smeaton residents believe that North Yorkshire County Council have not adhered to the significance of the Local Plan, which says that mineral extraction outside designated areas would have to be justified and would only apply in unforeseen circumstances.

The guidelines also stipulate that permission will only be granted for small-scale quarry extensions outside certain designated areas.

"This quarry was small and hardly visible before 2016 but the operator has purposefully gone out and acquired Green Belt land near to the quarry. Even though it has never been a designated area, it has been allowed to more than double in size under the pretext of small scale extensions," added Coun Storey.

The application approved in 2018 amounted to a 73 per cent increase in the size of the quarry and this most recent application, if approved, will see an additional increase of almost 50 per cent. This will mean that in the last 10 years this quarry will have increased in size by around 250 per cent.

“The county council have not been able to give any credible explanation why this quarry has been allowed to multiply in size and destroy Green Belt land under small scale extensions.

"It feels like when it comes to mineral planning matters, NYCC just do not want to listen to people’s concerns. When I accompanied the planning committee on a site visit to the quarry, I was told I couldn't speak. I fail to see how preventing a community representative from speaking can possibly allow county councillors to identify public concerns and put customers at the heart of what they do”.

The parish council also believe that the county council's 10-year supply of crushed stone means that there is no need for further quarrying.

"Further quarrying will not only destroy more Green Belt land and cause irreversible harm to the landscape, but it has the potential to cause irreparable harm to the adjoining nature reserve and Site of Special Scientfic Interest. The nature reserve is of local and national importance."

Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and the Friends of Brockadale volunteer group have also raised concerns about the scheme.

"The coronavirus crisis has clearly emphasised the need for quality open space in the countryside. The nature reserve has provided a much-valued amenity for people to exercise and maintain social distancing, given the openness of the land and the network of established footpaths.

"The nature reserve has been a godsend not only for people living in the local community but also for people living in nearby towns who do not have the luxury of open space and accessible countryside near to their homes," added Coun Storey.

North Yorkshire County Council declined to comment on the planning application while a decision is still pending.

Anyone who wishes to comment on the proposals should email [email protected] quoting planning application reference NY/2019/0002/ENV.