Enstone Quarry - HGV Depot

Planning approval for Smith's small HGV depot at the old Enstone Quarry (25/00805/FUL) has been given. There was a certain inevitability about the decision given the small scale of the development and that it is on an existing brownfield site. The Parish Council made a determined and well-prepared attempt to query the site's location given the risk of accidents and the risk of pollution on an already contaminated site. Unfortunately,  the council's arguments were rebutted as was a call for delay until drainage assessments had been concluded, by councillor Andrew Beaney. The crash risk was presumably discounted as so few HGVs are involved and they will only exit or enter at the start and end of each working day (Monday to Saturday). Highways had not sought a transport assessment, which did not help our and the PC's cause. Local concern has rightly focused on the pollution risk and the risk that this small development is the start of a far more concerning development of the whole contaminated site. Smiths' statement that they:

'are undertaking ongoing monitoring associated with the wider former quarry area and are considering further investigative works which would inform future wider site remediation and development proposals.'

acknowledges the validity of this concern. ENCON centred its objection on this element citing case law on the application of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) regulations, that we believe should have driven the Council to take into account whole site development. Unfortunately, again, this objection was not adopted by the Council. The greater battle will come as and when Smiths put forward further development plans. 

[NB Image shows number of car parking places before agreed reduction]