Aggmax Transport Limited have applied to extend their quarry site Northwards towards the village of Elmswell. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This will bring the quarry well within 500m of many residents’ dwellings. In order to extend, two mature oak trees and a 400m length of 10-year-old hedgerow will be felled.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Living in close proximity to a quarry has been demonstrated to be a profoundly negative impact on the health of residents. Residents living less than 500m from quarry sites reported eye soreness, nasal allergy, chest tightness, chronic cough and had reduced lung function. 

The following edited image shows the height of the proposed mound as seen from the wildlife area at the back of the Northern housing estate. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The proposed expansion would bring the edge of the quarry well within 500m of many homes in Elmswell, negatively impacting on the health of local residents. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ecologically, this site provides valuable habitat for 8 red-listed bird species and contains healthy mature oak trees, which, if left, could live to veteran age. It is also a feeding ground for local squirrels and rabbits, deer, foxes and many other mammals use the field as a hunting or feeding habitat. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The above images are from the ecology survey, which notes the presence of a woodpecker hole, as well as nesting blue tits at the time of the survey. 

 

 

 

Local roads already struggle to cope with the increased weight of traffic from developments around Elmswell, Haughley and Woolpit and the road next to the quarry is often covered in mud, making driving conditions more hazardous. Wheel cleaning machinery, which should be used by the company, is not used, meaning the roads around the quarry are filthy and dangerous. Residents also report lorries leaving the quarry with their loads uncovered, lorries breaking local speed limits and the contents of the lorries sometimes being thrown onto local pavements when they navigate corners at high speed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This Northern extension to Lawn Farm Quarry would have negative impacts on the health of local residents, would be damaging to the local road infastructure and would be devastating for local wildlife. 

To view the full application details on the planning website and comment, visit:

https://suffolk.planning-register.co.uk/Disclaimer

Search for SCC/0127/23MS

Comment deadline: 17th February.