NB: Major update see bottom of this description. 17/1/25

NB 2: New update as of 4/12/25 a new grove of Redwoods has been planted!

 

Heidelberg Materials who operate Ketton Cement works have submitted plans to expand their quarry. One area outlined in the plans is known as Field 14, where 15 Giant Redwoods are growing in a medieval ridge and furrow pasture land. These trees are around 150 years old and were planted by historic local figure Thomas Burroughes. 

Sign this petition to encourage Heidelberg Materials to adjust their plans to exclude this area from quarrying!

One grove is just tens of metres from the edge of the planned quarry, and could be retained with a small change to the plans. Heidelberg materials is the largest producer of CO2 in the region, and these trees (Giant Redwoods) are the best on earth for sequestering carbon in their huge trunks and can live up to 3000 years.

You can also help by contacting Heidelberg materials directly, or emailing planning@rutland.gov.Uk quoting reference 2024/0066/MIN

New Documentary on the issue:

https://youtu.be/ox9TqcdsVsQ?si=uJ6hiKnQSl6Zr29N

UPDATE

Just a few hours ago (17/1/25 4pm) I received an email from Heidelberg Materials Planning Consultant with some very encouraging news:

“…as you requested, we are revising our extraction plans to preserve the section of redwoods alongside the access track into the field. As part of that redraft, we also intend to relocate part of the Field 14 screening bund from north of that same tree belt and move it to the south of the tree belt, thereby preserving a large section of the ridge and furrow in Field 14. This will link well with the proposed permissive path alongside Empingham Road, which runs into that part of Field 14 and the ridge and furrow land, giving public access where previously there was none. Having discussed these changes with RCC, revised plans are now being drawn up but have not yet been formally submitted.”

This is a great start, though the formal plans are not yet submitted. RCC will soon provide a timeline for Heidelberg to submit their redraft which will then undergo a further public consultation. 

Until the plans are formally submitted the petition will remain active. Also worth noting, the second grove of trees further to the west are not mentioned, and are probably still planned to be removed. A compromise is better than nothing, and the grove to the west does have some damage and heart rot to a few of the Redwoods as a result of sheep activity. We will see what the formal plans say.