Minerals Local Plan.

6 Site Specific Policies/Proposal Map Insets.

This section provides further information and, where appropriate, policies governing extraction and restoration within the areas defined under Policy M 6, Policy M 10 and Policy M 11.  It is supplementary to the guidance provided by general policies and should not be seen as replacing the wider provisions of the Plan.  Further information and proposals map insets are provided for the following:

Sand and Gravel Areas of Search.

The following section defines areas for possible sand and gravel extraction, in accordance with policy M6.  Brief commentary is provided on key issues in relation to each area, though this should not be taken as superseding the need to take full account of the general policies of the Plan.

6.1(a): Proposals map inset 1 Hummerbeck

Grid ref: 4196 5268
Area: 80 ha

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Description

The area lies immediately to the south of an existing industrial estate in West Auckland, on low lying land bordering the River Gaunless.  Planning approval has been granted on the western deposits.

Key Issues

Local Amenity:
The existing industrial estate is likely to provide a degree of screening between any possible working and the main housing areas.  Attention will however need to be paid to local amenity impacts and the needs of any sensitive uses on the industrial estate.  Any working should provide adequate screening from nearby properties and roads.

As this site is overlooked from higher ground it will be particularly important to minimise the extent of processing operations and the footprint of extraction, and to ensure progressive restoration.

Traffic:
The existing permission requires an upgraded access to the A68.  Any access to the A6072 would also require upgrading.  Future potential exists to provide access from the proposed West Auckland Bypass.

The line for the West Auckland By-pass runs along the northern edge of the area. Scope may exist for the extraction of some further workable deposits along the road line in advance of construction.

Landscape:
The landscape and natural interest of the land comprising the natural floodplain of the River Gaunless (as indicated on the inset plan) should be retained.  It contains a number of typical landscape features such as minor terraces, oxbow lakes and wetland features which it is unlikely to be possible to recreate through restoration.  Significant working within the floodplain area is therefore unlikely to be acceptable.  Any working which may be permitted will need to demonstrate comprehensive compensatory measures in terms of its landscape and nature conservation impacts.

Given the potential visibility of the site from higher land to the south, any proposal should ensure that the amount of land disturbed by mineral working at any one time is kept to a minimum.

Nature Conservation:
A Site of Nature Conservation Importance (SNCI) covers part of the eastern end of the area.  This site, together with several important habitats, including floodplain grassland are contained within the Gaunless floodplain areas within which significant working is unlikely to be acceptable.  (See above).

Restoration:
Restoration proposals should reflect the industrial, highways, recreation and open space proposals as outlined in the Wear Valley District Local Plan.  Particular potential exists for wetland restoration related to the River Gaunless for amenity and nature conservation purposes.  A substantial woodland component would help assimilate the industrial edge of the settlement.

Within the Area of Search, approximately 23 hectares of grade 3a agricultural land exists.  Much of this land is in the north of the Area of Search.  Any proposal should seek to ensure the conservation of the long term agricultural potential of this resource. In particular, any restoration scheme would need to demonstrate that there would be no overall loss of best and most versatile agricultural land following reinstatement.

Other issues

Lying within the exposed coalfield there may be scope for concurrent extraction of coal in conjunction with the working of sand and gravel.

The area is affected by former waste disposal sites.

Archaeological interest exists along Dere Street roman road, and the abutments to the world's oldest iron railway bridge, across the River Gaunless.

6.1(b): Proposals map inset 2 Nunstainton

Grid ref: 4315 5296
Area: 40ha

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Description

This area lies within open countryside south of Ferryhill.  Current land use is predominantly agricultural.

Key Issues

Local Amenity:
The nearest settlement is at Chilton Lane, approximately 1 mile to the north and therefore major issues are unlikely to arise.  Attention will however need to be paid to the effects on isolated dwellings in the vicinity.

Traffic:
South via road C37 to lorry routes A689 and A1(M).  Traffic from any working should not travel north along road C37.  Strengthening of road C37 may be needed, if used for lorry traffic. Any proposal would also need to have regard to Department of  Environment, Transport and the Regions policy regarding development affecting trunk roads.

Landscape:
Any proposal will need to ensure adequate advance screening from Chilton Lane and the A1(M).  Mature vegetation within the area should be maintained wherever possible.

Nature Conservation:
At the time of drafting the area did not contain any nationally or locally designated nature conservation sites.

Restoration:
Agriculture or nature conservation/amenity after uses may be appropriate.  Satisfactory restoration is likely to require the import of suitable fill material.

Other Issues

An Interim Development Order (IDO) permission has been registered adjacent to the area at Gypsy Lane. This permission may eventually replace the existing Chilton Quarry at Ferryhill.  The area lies on the Magnesian Limestone aquifer, and in particular the source protection zone for  Hopper House public water supply borehole, and detailed site investigation reports and hydrogeological studies will be needed to ensure groundwater protection.

Archaeological interest exists at Nunstainton East mediaeval village.  Although this lies just outside the area associated deposits and field systems may extend within the boundary.

6.1(c): Proposals map inset 3 Embleton

Grid ref: 4419 5306
Area:  250 ha

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Description

This area lies in open countryside east of Sedgefield close to the County Boundary.  Existing land use is predominantly agricultural, with some woodland.  The intricate nature of the landscape within this area means that it is only likely to be suitable for smaller scale working, retaining local features.

Key issues

Local amenity:
The area is remote from any settlements and therefore major amenity issues are unlikely to arise.  Attention will however need to be paid to the effects on isolated dwellings in the vicinity.

Traffic:
Traffic from the northern part of the area should access lorry route A19 via roads C24 and B1280.  Traffic from any working should not travel west from the area along road C24.  Working in the southern part of the area will need to access lorry route A689 directly.

Improvements will be needed to road C24, if used for access.  Substantial junction improvements will be needed to access the A689.

Landscape:
The landscape in the area is attractive and important landscape features should be conserved.  In particular proposals for working should ensure the protection of woodland and other sensitive areas (see inset map).

Nature Conservation:
At the time of drafting the area did not contain any nationally or locally designated nature conservation sites.  It does however contain a range of locally significant semi-natural habitats and proposals for working and restoration should ensure the long term conservation of this diversity.

Restoration:
Restoration proposals should reflect the recreation after uses proposed for the southern part of the area contained in the Sedgefield District Local Plan.  Waste disposal should not be considered.

Other Issues

The area lies on the Magnesian Limestone aquifer, and in particular the source protection zone of three water supply boreholes, and detailed site investigation reports and hydrogeological studies will be needed to ensure groundwater protection.

Archaeological interest exists in two deserted mediaeval settlements and manor house sites.  These lie just outside the area, but associated deposits and field systems may extend within the boundary.

The setting of listed buildings outside the area boundary, at Murton Hall and Cole Hill, should be preserved .

6.1(d): Proposals map inset 4 Hutton Magna

Grid ref: 4115 5121
Area: 55ha

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Description

This area lies in open countryside south-east of Barnard Castle, immediately north of the A66.  Current land use is predominantly agricultural.

Key Issues

Local Amenity:
Limiting any impacts on the settlement of Hutton Magna, and other dwellings in the vicinity will be of particular importance in this location.

Traffic:
Via road C171 to the A66 only.  Local access road would need to be widened and strengthened, with appropriate junction improvements with the A66. Any proposal would also need to have regard to Department of  Environment, Transport and the Regions policy regarding development affecting  trunk roads.

Landscape:
Any proposal would need to ensure adequate screening from the A66. Phased working and progressive restoration will be of particular importance in minimising the landscape impacts of working in the area. The need to minimise landscape impacts also means that no extraction will be permitted outside the area of search boundary as shown on the inset map. Investigations have commenced into defining a more precise preferred area at this location in order to minimise landscape impacts further. It is envisaged any such area will be progressed as part of an early review of this Plan.

Nature Conservation:
At the time of drafting the area did not contain any nationally or locally designated nature conservation sites.

Restoration:
Low level restoration is likely to be the most appropriate, to a nature conservation or recreational/commercial wetland end use, providing the water table and substrata permit. Regard should be had in drawing up restoration  proposals to avoiding  depredation of nearby crops as a result of  increased local bird populations. Waste infilling at this location is unlikely to be acceptable.

Within the Area of Search, approximately 26 hectares of grade 3a agricultural land exists.  Much of this land is in the south of the Area of Search.  Any proposal should seek to ensure the conservation of the long term agricultural potential of this resource.  In particular, any restoration scheme would need to demonstrate that there would be no overall loss of best and most versatile agricultural land following reinstatement.

Other Issues

The site overlies the carboniferous limestone and is surrounded by a number of surface water and groundwater abstractions. Consultation with the Environment Agency will be needed in relation to the possible impacts on the minor aquifer, tributaries to the Claw Beck and the local drainage installation.

6.1(e): Proposals map inset 5 Lea Hall

Grid ref: 4313 5225
Area:  60 ha

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Description

This area lies in open countryside to the east of Newton Aycliffe.  Current land use is predominantly agricultural.

Key Issues

Local Amenity:
The area is relatively remote from nearby settlements and therefore major amenity issues are unlikely to arise.  Attention will however need to be paid to the effects on isolated dwellings in the vicinity.

Traffic:
Access west along road C34a and C34 to lorry route A167 only. Any proposal would also need to have regard to Department of  Environment, Transport and the Regions policy regarding development affecting  trunk roads.

Landscape:
Operations would need to be screened from adjacent local roads C34 and C34a.  Potential long distance views from the main East Coast rail line and A1(M) motorway would also need to be considered.  The area contains a number of locally important landscape features, such as intact hedgerows and mature trees, which should be retained wherever possible.

Nature Conservation:
At the time of drafting the area did not contain any nationally or locally designated nature conservation sites.

Restoration:
The most appropriate restoration would be to nature conservation or recreational/commercial wetland based on low level restoration.  Waste infilling is unlikely to be acceptable due to the siting of a borehole in the middle of the area.

Other Issues

The area lies on the Magnesian Limestone aquifer, and in particular the source protection zone of Great Stainton public water supply borehole, and detailed site investigation reports and hydrogeological studies will be needed to ensure groundwater protection.

Eastgate Quarry.

6.2 Eastgate Quarry (proposals map inset 6)

Grid ref: 3953 5365
Area: 160ha

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Description

This limestone quarry is situated in Weardale, some 2 miles west of Stanhope, and serves the nearby cement works.  Existing reserves in the quarry are not sufficient, particularly if the recommended 15 year landbank is to remain at the end of the Plan period.  The operator of the quarry and cement works (Blue Circle) suggested two possible areas of search, one an extension to the existing working and one involving the opening of a new quarry on the north side of the Dale.  The County Council consider working would be best accommodated through an extension to the existing quarry. 

Key Issues

Local amenity:
Although the proposed quarry extension is relatively remote from nearby settlements concerns have been raised locally about the potential effects of pollution from the cement works. Such issues are principally the responsibility of the pollution control authorities, rather than the minerals planning authority, although any proposal will need to ensure that the overall impacts on local amentiy are acceptable, and that the wider area's potential for further development of tourism is not adversely affected.

Traffic:
Traffic to and from the cement works uses the main A689 Weardale road. This has adverse environmental effects on the communities through which the road passes, difficulties which have been made worse by the decision not to continue use of the rail link to the works. Any proposal for an extension should investigate measures to minimise the environmental impact of traffic on Weardale communities, including a full investigation of the feasibility of using the currently disused rail link.  Should use of the rail line appear to be feasible this will be required as a condition of any planning permission.  Any proposals which would hinder future use of the rail link will not be permitted.  Lorry traffic along the Dale should use the A689 only, and avoid the use of minor roads to travel to Teesdale or northwards.

Landscape:
The area lies partly within the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the remainder being within an Area of High Landscape Value.  Any proposal will therefore need to undertake a full assessment of the effects on the landscape, including an assessment of possible alternative sources of supply, and incorporating a full range of measures to ensure the amelioration of such impacts.  The landscape sensitivity of what would represent a major extension means that the area shown should be considered more as a general area of search, within which an extension may be defined, rather than a precise preferred area.

Nature Conservation:
Part of the extension area is included within the Bollihope, Pikestone, Egglestone and Woodland Fells SSSI and Proposed SPA.  Any proposal for working and restoration in this area should pay particular attention to the need to conserve the nature conservation importance of the area.

Adverse impacts on the adjacent Fairy Holes SSSI, and to Sites of Nature Conservation Importance along the Horsley Burn to the east should be avoided.

Cumulative Impact:
This is unlikely to be a major issue in this location although the overall impact of quarrying on the Dale will need to be kept to an acceptable level.

Restoration:
Proposals for any extension should also ensure the comprehensive reclamation of the existing workings.

Other Issues

Consultation with the Environment Agency will be needed in relation to possible impacts on the minor aquifer.

Any permission will need to ensure that material is quarried solely for use in the adjoining cement works.

The setting of listed buildings at Snowhope Close and Snapegate should be preserved .

Common grazing rights exist over land in the south east of the area and the operator will need to obtain the appropriate agreement from the commoners for any extraction within this area.

Eldon Brickworks.

6.3(a) Eldon Brickworks (proposals map inset 7)

Grid ref: 4241 5280
Area: 1.5ha

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Description

Eldon is an established brickclay quarry serving an adjacent brickworks.  Although current supplies of material are adequate to meet needs throughout the Plan period, these will not be sufficient to provide a 15 year landbank at 2006.

Key Issues

Local Amenity:
Any impacts upon the settlements of Eldon, Coundon Grange, Old Eldon and the Sunnydale part of Shildon.

Traffic:
Access from the quarry to the brickworks should not use the public highway.

Landscape:
The extension would increase the visual impact of the existing working. Any working method should therefore be designed to minimise impacts from vantage points to the west, either by initial working along the contour together with the progressive development of a screening mound, or by placing emphasis on restoring the high back wall with overburden/inert waste material and tree planting.

Nature Conservation:
At the time of drafting the area did not contain any nationally or locally designated nature conservation sites, although a Site of Nature Conservation Importance lies to the north-east of the area.

Cumulative Impact:
As well as extraction of brick clay from the existing void and the proposed extension area, a permission for opencast coal extraction exists on the Eldon Deep site. The cumulative impact from these sites is such that additional mineral working in the vicinity of Eldon is unlikely to be acceptable during the Plan period.

Restoration:
Restoration proposals should ensure a satisfactory reclamation of the entire void, including the area covered by the existing planning permission. A wildlife or agricultural after use is likely to be most appropriate.

Other Issues

A former waste disposal site lies within the existing area of the brickworks.  The area lies on the Magnesian Limestone aquifer, and detailed site investigation reports and hydrogeological studies will be needed to ensure groundwater protection.

No export of brickmaking material from the site will be permitted.

Recent changes within the brickmaking industry have led to a requirement upon the current owner, Ibstock, by the Office of Fair Trading to dispose of the works by the end of 1997. Any implications resulting from this change in ownership will be taken into account at the first review of the Plan.

Todhills Brickworks.

6.3 (b)Todhills Brickworks (proposals map inset 8)

Grid ref: 4211 5336
Area:  n/a

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Description

Todhills is an established brickworks situated between the villages of Newfield and Byers Green, to the south of Willington.  A number of permissions for extraction of clay and shale already exists at the site but the operator (Ambion) has indicated the need for further reserves.  A resolution to grant planning permission for the working of deeper seams within the areas shown has been passed by the County Council, although formal permission will only be given concluding a satisfactory legal agreement.  The immediate future of the brickworks has now been secured following its acquisition by Ambion Brick, and there is now an identified need to allocate additional reserves to allow Ambion to plan for future investment programmes at Todhills.  The current site at Clarence Farm is due to become exhausted during the lifetime of the Plan, and the permission at Long Lane, based on current production figures, has reserves for 9 to 14 years, although this is dependent on future trends in brickmaking manufacture.

In accordance with Policy M 1, the Mineral Planning Authority (MPA) will aim to provide a landbank of 15 years for the brickworks.  Existing reserves of material will allow extraction up to 2014.  Therefore, additional material will be needed beyond 2014 to maintain a 15 year landbank.  If significant new investment (such as a new kiln) is agreed with the MPA, the brickworks should be provided with a landbank for at least 25 years.  An area of search for clay extraction is therefore allocated to the immediate south east of the brickworks, as identified on Map Inset 8.  Any working of this area of search will be required to progress in a southerly direction, commencing to the immediate south of the brickworks.

Key Issues

Extraction of deeper seams within existing permissions areas is unlikely to raise major new issues.  Any proposal should however deal satisfactorily with any additional spoil that may be created, and any problems relating to existing permissions.  In particular past operations relating to the brickworks have had severe detrimental impacts on the amenity of local residents.  The area to the south of the brickworks is visible both in short and long distance views.  Any long term strategy for the development of Todhills brickworks should identify landscape objectives that would screen both short distance views (from Byers Green and Long Lane) and long distance views (from Willington and A690) into any future working area.  Any proposal for new mineral working within the area of search should ensure that overall future impacts on the surrounding communities, particularly Byers Green, are minimised.  This is likely to be best achieved through a co-ordinated programme of screening, phased working and restoration.  Sensitive screening and working practices within the area of search are crucial, as these measures will help alleviate any adverse impacts the surrounding communities may face.  The long term nature of this allocation will allow substantial advance planting to screen the area of search.  Only by taking such a long term view of the utilisation of the reserves in the vicinity of the brickworks will the effects of mineral extraction within the area of search be satisfactorily mitigated.

Close House Mine.

6.4 Close House Mine (proposals map inset 9)

Grid ref: 3844 5227
Area: 18ha

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Description

This is currently the only barytes mine operating in Durham and is situated in a remote upland area in the extreme south west of the County.  Current supplies of material are limited and an extension is necessary if extraction is to continue through the Plan period.

Key Issues

Local amenity:
The remote location of the mine means that this is unlikely to be a major issue.

Traffic:
The only access to the mine is via the B6276 road.  It is not anticipated that any extension will lead to a significant increase in traffic.

Landscape:
The proposal lies wholly within the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and particular attention will need to be paid to the environmental sensitivity of the area in  proposals for working and restoration. Any working permitted in the Closehouse Hush area will need to ensure that visibility from the B6276 is minimised.

Nature Conservation:
Close House Mine, a geological SSSI, is located within the area of the existing permission.  Lune Forest, a biological SSSI which forms part of the proposed North Pennine Moors SPA (pSPA), entirely surrounds the existing planning permission.  Any impacts on the pSPA will need to be determined by the process of appropriate assessment, as laid out under the Habitats Regulations 1995.

Cumulative Impact:
This is unlikely to be an issue in this remote location.

Restoration:
Any extension will need to ensure adequate restoration of the existing workings, including the retention of the important geological features  for which the existing Close House Mine SSSI was notified.  Restoration of any extension itself will also be a very important consideration given the importance of the surrounding Lune Forest SSSI and pSPA.  The site should be restored progressively to a naturalistic ravine/gully feature using on site overburden and waste material.  Moorland vegetation of shrub-heath and grass should be reinstated.  Moorland soils stripped from any extension should be used in progressive restoration elsewhere on the site.

Other Issues

Archaeological interest exists in various remains of former lead mining, including Closehouse Hush.  Consultation with the Environment Agency will be needed in relation to possible impacts on the minor aquifer.

The Magnesian Limestone Escarpment.

6. 5 MAGNESIAN LIMESTONE ESCARPMENT
(Proposals Map Inset 10)

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There is a long history of quarrying on the Magnesian Limestone Escarpment.  There are currently seven active rock quarries (October 1995), in addition 2 former quarries are currently being infilled with waste, waste disposal is proposed at 8 former and existing quarries and there are 5 other quarries with valid permissions for magnesian limestone working.  The quarries tend to be long term operations which have been successfully extended over many years.  The primary market for the rock is for aggregates for road building and other construction projects in County Durham, Tees Valley and Tyne and Wear.  However, a significant proportion is sold for non aggregate purposes, mainly for use in the steel and chemical industries and as agricultural lime.

MPG6 states that adequate landbanks of aggregates reserves with planning permission should be maintained.  Although a specific landbank is not set out for crushed rock, it is suggested that it should be larger than the 7 years production equivalent recommended for sand and gravel.  The County Council considers it reasonable to maintain a landbank for the County equivalent to 10 years production throughout the Plan period (Policy M 1).  The Northern Regional Aggregates Working Party (made up of representatives of Mineral Planning Authorities, the minerals industry and the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions) monitors the supply and demand for aggregates, including crushed rock from the Magnesian Limestone Escarpment and the reserves.  Based on recent production levels, it is estimated that there are unworked reserves sufficient for the period up to at least 2025.  A 10 year landbank can therefore be maintained without the need to permit new mineral workings or extensions to existing operations.  However, there is one part of the Escarpment area, at Thrislington Quarry, where exceptional circumstances, in relation to cumulative impact and high grade mineral needs, require a separate policy approach. 

Thrislington Quarry

As well as other products Thrislington Quarry produces high grade dolomite for use in the steel and chemical industries.  The Magnesian Limestone Escarpment Local Plan recognised the importance of the reserves at Thrislington and identified the area to the east of the existing quarry as the only area in Great Britain, other than Whitwell in Derbyshire, containing dolomite of suitable quality for use in these industries.  This area was therefore given protection in that Plan from mineral working or other development which would sterilise the resource.

The extraction of material for high grade purposes continues to form the basis of the operations at Thrislington although significant amounts of construction aggregates are also produced (approximately 60% of total quarry production).  The relatively high proportion of aggregates production is a consequence of geological conditions and the high specifications of the steel and chemical industries.  Although production could be maintained during the Plan period it is necessary to look beyond this date to secure supplies of this special resource.  This would involve extensions to the quarry both east and west of the A1(M).

A Strategy for Magnesian Limestone Working

The special nature of the high grade dolomite resource at Thrislington justifies an exception to the general presumption against future new workings and extensions.  The operations at Thrislington are well established and provide benefits directly and indirectly to the local economy.

Existing and past quarrying activities have a significant effect on the area, particularly in terms of visual impact and heavy lorry traffic.  Recent permissions for extensions at Raisby quarry and Bishop Middleham quarry in addition to extensions to Thrislington will clearly add to these effects.  A particular problem exists in relation to land at Cornforth East quarry which has a valid planning permission for mineral extraction.  Subject to the signing of a legal agreement, linked to the approval of an extension at Raisby quarry, a significant part of this land will not be worked.  If however, this site were to be fully activated it would be extremely prominent and have serious impacts on the local environment.  Equally, if any land at Cornforth East were worked concurrently with the extensions at Raisby and Bishop Middleham quarries in addition to the proposed extensions at Thrislington, the cumulative impacts would be substantial.  In addition, an Interim Development Order (IDO) exists to expand Rough Furze quarry, south of the existing quarry at Thrislington.  This, if implemented would have significant impacts on the landscape and nature conservation interests.  The cumulative impacts would also be unacceptable if any land at Rough Furze quarry were worked concurrently with the extensions at Raisby, Bishop Middleham and the proposed extensions at Thrislington.

Permitting extensions to an existing quarry while unimplemented permissions exist would also have implications for the aim of sustainability and the need to limit production to that required to meet anticipated needs.  Although Thrislington produces high grade products for specialised markets, it is also a major producer of aggregates.  To allow further significant increases in the landbank will adversely affect the overall sustainability of the Plan and can therefore only be justified if adequate compensatory measures are in place.

The Minerals Local Plan provides the opportunity to establish a comprehensive approach to the planning of future magnesian limestone working on the Escarpment, aimed at providing for recognised needs whilst minimising the impact of present and future working.  This approach requires that for an extension west of the A1(M) and south of the existing Thrislington quarry to be acceptable in principle, an agreement must be reached that no further working will have taken place or will take place at Rough Furze quarry.  Furthermore, for an extension east of the A1(M) to be acceptable in principle, supplies of material from west of the A1(M), including the southern extension area must be substantially exhausted before any working, other than essential advance preparatory works takes place.  Essential advance preparatory works in this circumstance indicates the following: the removal, processing and sale of stone to facilitate the construction of a tunnel under the A1(M), the stripping of soils and the erection and commissioning of all necessary plant and ancillary works.  In addition, for extensions to Thrislington quarry to be acceptable the Minerals Planning Authority must be satisfied that the cumulative impact of working at Thrislington remains acceptable in relation to adjacent areas such as Cornforth East and Bishop Middleham quarries.

Thrislington quarry lies on the Magnesian Limestone aquifer, and detailed site investigation reports and hydrogeological studies will be needed to ensure groundwater protection (Policy M38).  Archaeological interest also exists in relation to the proposed eastern Thrislington extension (see Policy M 31 - Policy M 33).  A substantial part of the southern extension to Thrislington quarry would be visible from longer distance views from the south west and therefore detailed landscaping and screening works will be required to address any problems (see Policy M 36).

The scale of past working of Magnesian Limestone, together with recent approvals and the proposed substantial extensions at Thrislington quarry, means that other new magnesian limestone workings, or extensions to existing workings will not be permitted elsewhere within the Magnesian Limestone Escarpment area as defined on the proposals map.

A southern extension to Thrislington Quarry

The principal justification for an extension to Thrislington quarry is the importance of the high grade dolomite. Part of the proposed southern extension contains material suitable for high grade uses. Permission for an extension south of the existing quarry will therefore be based on the use of the high grade resource in the most efficient manner possible.

However, any additional area will clearly add to the already large aggregates landbank that exists in the County and can only be justified in the light of sufficient compensatory measures. Rough Furze quarry to the west of the proposed southern extension to Thrislington, contains valuable landscape and nature conservation interests.

A southern extension to Thrislington will therefore only be permitted if no working has taken place or will take place at Rough Furze quarry and the existing Interim Development Order Permission at Rough Furze quarry is relinquished.  It is intended that the land will be managed to protect its landscape and nature conservation interest.  These matters will be secured through legal agreements.

The proposed southern extension area is visible from longer distance views from the south west, principally from Bishop Middleham. Proposals to work in this area will therefore need to address this issue through suitable landscaping and screening works.

An eastern extension to Thrislington Quarry

The importance of the high grade dolomite resource at Thrislington and the requirement to maintain a 15 year landbank of suitable material (see Policy M 1) justifies consideration of an eastern extension to the existing quarry, provided supplies of high grade material from within the existing permission area, and the southern extension area are substantially exhausted.  However, there are a number of other specific issues on which the County Council would need to be satisfied before considering granting planning permission for an extension.  These are in addition to the relevant general policy considerations set out in sections 4 and 5 of this Plan.

The principal justification for an extension to Thrislington quarry is the importance of the high grade dolomite resource.  Permission for the extension will be based on extraction and the use of the high grade dolomite in the most efficient manner possible, so that this important resource is not wasted through its use for general aggregates or other lower grade uses.  The Minerals Planning Authority shall ensure that this is the case through the use of legal agreements.

The transport of quarry products by road has a significant impact in this part of the County and it is important that adverse effects are minimised.  Whilst access roads west of the A1(M) will be maintained, new access points are not precluded in connection with the future eastward extension. The existing disposal point at the western end of the quarry should be maintained and kiln feed material extracted from the extension area should be transported to it via a tunnel under the A1(M). All road traffic entering or leaving the site must avoid passing through local communities to access the strategic highway network.  It should be noted that although the identified Preferred Area covers only future extraction areas and ancillary works, additional areas outside of these are not precluded for the purpose of, for example, tree screening, planting and access routes.  Use of the existing rail link should also be maximised, with the potential for its greater use being reviewed on a regular basis, the term of which will be agreed by the operator and the Minerals Planning Authority.

Given the scale of the existing quarry and the proposed extension, progressive infilling by waste to existing levels would be an extremely long term operation lasting for several decades after extraction has ceased.  In any case, the extension area could provide an opportunity to create a significant recreational and nature conservation resource.  Also within the extension area, approximately 17 hectares of grade 2 and 44 hectares of grade 3a agricultural land exists.  Detailed restoration and after use proposals will need to be agreed at the planning application stage although any restoration scheme would need to demonstrate that there would be no overall loss of best and most versatile agricultural land following reinstatement.  In general terms, low level restoration to outdoor recreation, nature conservation and agricultural after uses would be preferred.  Detailed proposals would need to demonstrate how the soil resources would be optimised amongst the different after uses.

In order to conserve the long term high grade dolomite resource east of the proposed extension area, from sterilisation it is important to continue the approach of the Magnesian Limestone Escarpment Local Plan and identify an area to be protected during the Plan period from mineral working or other development of a significant scale or nature (see Policy M 18).

Although the special nature of this reserve is recognised this should not be taken as any indication of future approval for working these high - grade deposits.  Any extension east of that proposed in Policy M 56 is likely to have extremely significant environmental impacts which will need to be considered at the appropriate time against the relevant policies.  This will need to include, as appropriate, an assessment of any working of the extensions proposed above against the aims of Policy M 55 and Policy M 56.

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