Community fights against plan for quarry expansion

Protestors at the end of Greenbank Road with the fields that the quarry is to be extended into.

Furious residents fear plans to extend a brick and clay quarry, moving it closer to Altofts village, could kill their community.

Braithwaite Excavations is seeking planing permission to extend Rudd Quarry, on Green Belt land off Newland Lane, north of the current quarry and Normanton Brickworks.

Around 700,000 tonnes of fireclay and brickshale will be extracted over 14 years, planning documents submitted by Silkstone Environmental Ltd state.

More than 15 objections have been lodged against the plans.

Resident Helen Thompson said: “This is a 14 year proposal which is another nail in the coffin for the residents of Altofts and Normanton who have already fought so much against Welbeck and HS2.

“The proposed extension will run so close to people’s homes and the local middle school, the very thought that it is even being given any consideration is frightening. The dust, the noise, the fumes and the health issues for people, both physically and mentally for residents is enormous.”

Concerns have also been raised about the loss of green space, potential flooding, and HGV traffic. Paul Dainton, president of environmental campaign group RATS, said the proposal was a “killer blow” to local communities. He said: “The whole of Altofts village is under siege from Welbeck, HS2 and now this. I can’t believe one small village can suffer so much.”

Planning documents state that around 50,000 tonnes of material will be extracted each year from the 6.95 hectare site.

The mineral would be loaded into HGV lorries and the maximum permitted two-way trips would be 150 per day, to “make the operation financially viable”, the documents say.

They state that the site is a “preferred area” for mineral working and the materials are of “local and national importance” in the brick industry. The proposed quarry operating hours are Monday to Friday 7am until 6pm and Saturdays 8am until 12.30pm, 50 weeks per year.

Residents have arranged a public meeting to discuss the plans at Lee Brigg Club, from 7.30pm on April 26.