Marriotts are claiming Wicklesham quarry has been sold subject to contract. The fact is however, this ecologically important site - a Site of Special Scientific Interest for Geology and a Conservation Target Area with European Protected Species and breeding habitat - has no planning consent for any use apart from agriculture. The claims of the agent, one of whose local employees wears several different hats as personal agent of the landowner, and former member of the Employment Land Group of Faringdon Neighbourhood Plan, should be treated with due caution by any buyer.

The site is outside the town's development boundary as shown in the Local Plan, and is subject to policies that control development in the countryside, which do not include industrial estates on agricultural land. Marriotts state that Wicklesham Quarry is 'safeguarded' as employment land in the Neighbourhood Plan. They neglect to inform potential buyers that the Local Plan for the Western Vale - having been adopted more recently than Faringdon Neighbourhood Plan- takes precedence over any policy which is in conflict with it. In our view that means there is little prospect of it being granted an alternative use, but we urge local supporters to remain vigilant. 

The owners of Wicklesham Lodge Farm have also proposed the whole farm for inclusion as development land in the next Local Plan. Their wide-ranging ambitions include energy generation, hotels, housing, and industry. This is the farm that, according to their brochure, lies in an 'Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty'. It doesn't, of course. It is within a Landscape Character Area known as the Corallian Ridge, and local people will seek to ensure that ALL the planning policies in place to protect this important landscape, including Wicklesham Quarry itself, are upheld. Please subscribe to the online petition to receive updates. Contact us at protectwicklesham@gmail.com. Wicklesham Quarry needs your support!