Proposed extension

Nottinghamshire’s growth and economic development means that there is a strong ongoing need for minerals, including sand and gravel, particularly in the construction industry. Sites for future extraction of sand and gravel through to 2036 are being identified in the emerging Nottinghamshire Minerals and Waste Local Plan, which has been undergoing public consultation since November 2017 and Besthorpe Quarry is proposed to be designated as a preferred site.

It is anticipated that it will take until 2021/2022 to exhaust the current reserves and conduct the ecological and archaeological checks necessary before commencing works in the proposed extension area. These plans guarantee the long-term future of the quarry, allowing the extraction of saleable sand and gravel to be worked on a phased and progressive basis over an estimated 17-year period. Tarmac’s plans would ensure the retention of full-time jobs at the quarry as well as supporting indirect jobs in the construction materials supply chain, including contractors and road hauliers.

The extension will not lead to an increase in annual output or lorry movements and access to the quarry will continue to be provided via the A1133 (Collingham Road) using the purpose-built access road. Tarmac proposes that the existing restrictions on HGVs be retained, so that vehicles over 7.5 tonnes are only permitted to journey to and from the quarry via the A1133 to the north and do not pass through the village of Collingham.

Extraction will take place during two main phases over a 17-year period, with the first phase located north of the access road and the second located to the south. The existing site access, processing plant and ancillary facilities will be retained for the duration of operations and working areas will be progressively restored meaning that only limited sections of the site are worked at any one time.

Sand and gravel were historically transported from the quarry by barge, however this was suspended in August 2013 due it becoming economically unviable to transport material to the depot in West Yorkshire. The barge loading facilities for water transportation are retained at the site so that river barging could recommence in the future.

The extension area will be worked in the same way as the existing quarry operations. The mineral will be extracted in a dry condition, with groundwater being pumped into the existing lagoons at the site. Extracted mineral will be carried by dump truck to a main receiving hopper feeding a conveyor belt that supplies the main processing plant, and the resulting sand and gravel is washed and sorted into product sizes.

The current plans for extending the quarry and its ongoing restoration are shown opposite. As part of the planning process, we will continue to consult with local communities, planning authorities, the Environment Agency and other statutory bodies, and will seek to answer any questions and carry out any necessary additional surveys.