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APPENDIX 1
1
WHITWELL QUARRY LOCAL LIAISON COMMITTEE
Meeting held at 6pm on 19 November 2015 at Whitwell Community Centre
M I N U T E S
Present
Name Body Represented
Councillor Duncan McGregor Derbyshire CC, Bolsover DC and Chair of the Liaison Committee
Mr Tom Munro Whitwell PC and Deputy Chair of the Liaison Committee
Mr Ken Astle Whitwell Residents Association
Mrs Vivienne Mills Whitwell Residents Association
Ms Alison Doxey Hodthorpe and Belph PC
Councillor Rita Turner Bolsover DC
Mr Roger Shelley Creswell Heritage Trust
Mr David Atkinson Tarmac
Mr Steve Childs Tarmac
1. Attendance and Apologies for Absence : Apologies had been received from the following: Mr Nigel Colley (Whitwell Quarry Manager), Mrs Vicki Webb and Mr David Hamson (Officers of Derbyshire CC) and Christina Girvan (Environment Agency)
2. Minutes of Previous Meeting (September 2015) : Councillor Munro said in his copy of the minutes there were a number of corrections required, including inconsistency in the spelling of his name (5.4), in 5.8 third line to clarify phrase ‘bridleway width’, and a number of jumps in the line and paragraph spacing, and also paragraph numbering on Page 5. The Chair of the committee pointed to two further points and Mrs. Mills said that in para 1.0 the reference to herself should be amended to Whitwell Residents Association. Mr Atkinson said in his version of the minutes some of these points were correct but apologised for the inaccuracies in other members’ copies. A corrected version of the minutes will be produced for the file.
2.1. The amended minutes were approved as a true record of the previous meeting.
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3. Matters arising from the minutes: Councillor McGregor suggested, and it was accepted by Mr Atkinson, that former committee member Mr Robin Slaney be sent, for information, a copy of the committee’s approved minutes after each meeting.
3.1. Re para 5.2, the Chair said he was waiting to see if the County Council can allocate in their 2016 budgets a scheme resulting from his suggestion of lowering the road on the A619 at Darfoulds/Steetley so HGV’s were not restricted from passing under it. Mr Atkinson said since the last meeting he had met with a highways officer from Derbyshire who had concluded that it was not possible due to Statutory Instruments to add additional signs on roads to the north of Whitwell village to deter site traffic from passing through the centre of Whitwell. However they did agree to change the existing signs on the A60 to the south of the site which had old names for the company. Mr Atkinson said the company was prepared to pay the cost of these replacements estimated at £14,000 for the signs, new posts and erection costs. This would be carried out by Derbyshire before April 2016.
3.2. Mrs Mills said she welcomed this new length of footpath being included in the proposed planning application for the quarry. Mr Atkinson said he had received representations from the local cycling group to change the status to enable cycle use.He added that he’d ask them to consult with local residents , Parish Council & County rights of way officers.The Chair said he was happy to encourage more cycling and supported the idea.
3.3. Re para 5.0 Mr Atkinson said the rolling programme of consultation was being continued by Derbyshire County Council on its draft Minerals Local Plan. It had announced that this consultation will close on 31 January next year and then it will seek comments on a revised version in 2016, before it is finally published and then examined by an independent inspector probably in 2017.
3.4. Re para 5.3 Mr Atkinson referred to the matter he raised at the last liaison meeting concerning his offer of independent structural surveys of properties closest to the proposed Northern extension of the quarry. He stressed that he did not believe that even the closest properties would be damaged by rock blasting in the quarry. However he was prepared to make the offer as a comfort to residents beyond their Statutory rights. He said the offer would involved a baseline survey of the existing state of buildings and then a follow-up survey after the cessation of development in the proposed Northern extension.He aimed to include the offer in a Section 106 agreement with the County Council if they were minded to give consent to the proposed planning application. Now he was asking guidance from the committee on the possible extent of the offer to residents in that part of the village. Councillor Munro suggested that properties on the south side of streets closest to the northern boundary of the quarry, principally Franklin Avenue and Franklin Crescent, and Thorpe Avenue, should receive the offer. In the discussion that followed the Company suggested that other streets were added. The Chair
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concluded that the committee was in favour of this approach being taken by Tarmac. Mr Atkinson thanked the committee for giving him this guidance and said he would use it to inform the detail of his proposals to the County Council.
3.5. Re para 5.6, Mr Atkinson reported that a draft scoping opinion on the content and coverage of the EIA for the upcoming planning application had now been issued by Derbyshire County Council and no issues had been indicated. Formal opinion was anticipated shortly.
3.6. Re para 6.3 Mr Atkinson said Mr Colley had raised with his counterpart at Lhoist the matter of black smoke coming from its kiln chimney. Lhoist will be reporting on the issue to their own liaison committee.
4. Planning Developments: Mr Atkinson said that Mr Hamson from the County Council informed him prior to this meeting that he had not made any visits to the quarry since the last liaison meeting and no complaints from members of the public had been received during that period. 4.1. Mr Atkinson reminded the committee of the Company’s work on the
application for extensions to extraction within the existing site boundary and circulated plans showing the four extension proposals. Currently he estimated that the application would be ready for submission in the Spring of next year (2016) and that the Company was preparing to update residents on the progress of the proposals by circulating up to 2,000 copies of an information leaflet early in January. Responding to questions from the Chair, he said there are an estimated 2.7million tonnes of kiln grade stone in the Northern Extension and it needed to be blended in with stone from other areas of the quarry to satisfy current product demand, so it could take from five to seven years to finish in the Northern Extension. If planning approval was received he envisaged it would be, at the earliest, the Spring of 2018 before the development could start. The whole scheme would take the site through to 2035 for kiln grade stone. Extraction for civils grade stone is to be time limited to 2040. The Company has proposals to process construction aggregate in Belph extension by mobile processing plant and transport straight onto the A60 road via a new quarry access subject to detailed approval under planning conditions.
4.2. Mr Shelley asked if there had been any progress in the proposal to divert the rail line so the stone around the rail tunnel can be extracted. Mr Atkinson said this was a matter of legal dispute between the Company and Network Rail over who pays for such a diversion. It would probably cost about £10million to divert the track and two years to obtain necessary approvals / physically move. He said the Company is considering initiating proceedings Court for a declaration on whether limestone is a mineral but it could be 18 months before there is a judgement.
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5. Quarry Operations: Mr Atkinson reported on behalf of Mr Colley and said that recently demand for kiln stone had been affected by Lhoist having to deal with the closures and downturn in the UK steel industry. The Chair said it was really sad to see the British Steel Industry to be allowed to wither on the vine of global market forces. Mr Atkinson said demands for civil engineering stone from the quarry remained buoyant.
6. Representations: None have been received by the Company since the last committee meeting. Councillor Doxey said only two days ago ( Tuesday 17 November) a blast from the quarry at about 10.30am shook her house and also her neighbours. Mr Atkinson said he was concerned if that was the case and he would ask Mr Colley to investigate the report. The output of every blast is measured and recorded so it will be possible to establish if it was the cause of the vibration on that day.
7. Any Other Business: Mr Atkinson said he was particularly pleased that the Company had been able to support the special Hyena exhibition at the Crags Centre as the Trust had been able to display a unique specimen for visitors to see. The Chair said the support of Tarmac was really appreciated. Mr Shelley said he was hoping for a small article to be published in The Times of London in the next few days.
8. Date of Next Meeting: The meeting closed at 6.56pm. It was agreed to hold the next meeting at 6.00pm on Thursday 7 April 2016.
APPENDIX 2
©2015 Lafarge Tarmac Trading Limited.
THE FUTURE OF WHITWELL QUARRY
You are invited to attend an exhibition for members of the public outlining Lafarge Tarmac’s proposals to secure the longer term futureof our Whitwell Quarry site. Staff from Lafarge Tarmac will be thereto answer questions.
PUBLICEXHIBITION
We look forward to seeing you.
PUBLIC EXHIBITION
Wednesday 10 June 20152pm – 7pm
Thursday 11 June 201510am – 3pm
Whitwell Community CentreThe SquareWhitwell
For more informationcall 01909 726200 or [email protected]
You will find all the lastest news,plans, events for your area atlafargetarmac.com/whitwell
LAFARGETARMAC.COM
©2015 Lafarge Tarmac Trading Limited.
WHITWELL QUARRYTHE FUTURE OF
CONSULTING LOCAL COMMUNITIES
Our business is constantly evolving. We are committed to ensuring the land we manage is used in the right way at the right time. Delivering maximum benefits for our customers, partners, suppliers and stakeholders, local communities and businesses.
Exca
vate T
Secure
T
Develop
TRestore
T
PUBLIC EXHIBITIONThe Future of Whitwell Quarry
You are invited to attend a presentation of proposals for futuredevelopment of this important site for limestone production.Staff from Lafarge Tarmac will be there to answer questions.
Whitwell Community CentreThe SquareWhitwell
Wednesday 10 June 20152pm – 7pm
Thursday 11 June 201510am – 3pm
1. Kilns where industrial limestone is processed.
2. The main quarry processing plant.
3. Readymix concrete processing.
4. The existing main quarry.
5. Bridleway on edge of quarry site alongside Crags Road.
FIND OUT MOREOUR PROPOSALS
At Lafarge Tarmac we like to play an active part in the communities in which we operate.So it’s important to us that we give our neighbours the opportunity to help us shape development and restoration proposals.
The site is an important source of construction materials in North Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire and one of the few sites in the UK to supply a special industrial type of limestone, vital for steelmaking.
This industrial limestone, which is also used to manufacture heat resistant bricks for high temperature industrial applications, is processed in kilns at Whitwell that are owned and operated by a separate company.
Limestone from the quarry also goes into the onsite production of readymix concrete. Agricultural lime is also supplied to the farming industry.
The quarry currently produces nearly a million tonnes of stone every year and the site, across all its activities, supports a total of XXX jobs and makes an annual contribution to the local economy of around £X million.
Please come along to the public exhibition we are holding over two days on10-11 June 2015(details on back cover of this leaflet).
A summary of the proposals will also be available on the Lafarge Tarmac website from 10 June 2015 at www.lafargetarmac.com/whitwell
If you have a question about the proposals we are here to help.
Call 01909 726200or [email protected]
We shall shortly be applying to Derbyshire County Council for permission to continue limestone extraction in four extensions on the edge of the existing quarry (see plan below). They are the last remaining economic reserves we have identified for lateral extensions to Whitwell Quarry.
Key features of the proposals are:-
1. Current permitted stone reserves are forecast to run out ten years from now and the proposed extensions would add another 15 years to the life of the quarry.
2. Existing facilities for stone processing will stay the same.
3. Quarry products delivered by road will continue to follow the approved route that avoids centres of nearby villages. Traffic levels will be similar to those consented presently.
4. We will deliver a comprehensive restoration plan designed to restore the quarry as the limestone is worked out. This will create a variety of conservation habitats, increased biodiversity and improved public access where appropriate.
ABOUT WHITWELLQUARRY SITE
1 4
5
2
3
4
2
3
FORMER BELPH TIP
WHITWELL QUARRY
WHITWELL COLLIERY TIP
PENNY GREEN
CRAGS ROAD
ROBI
N H
OO
D R
AIL
LIN
E
1
MILLASH LANE
HENNYMOOR LANESOUTHFIELD LANE
SHEFFIELD ROAD
WHITWELL
5
STATION ROAD
RAIL TUNNEL
UNDERPASS
CRESSWELL
UNDER RESTORATION
PROPOSED EXTENSIONS
EXISTING PERMITTED WORKINGS
APPENDIX 3
WELCOME TO OUR EXHIBITION
THE FUTURE OF WHITWELL QUARRY
PUBLIC CONSULTATION
These displays are part of a pre-submission consultation for an upcoming planning application by Lafarge Tarmac that aims to secure the longer term future of Whitwell Quarry.
We welcome your feedback on the proposals and in this display you will find various ways to tell us what you think.
WHY WE ARE HERE…
THE FUTURE OF WHITWELL QUARRY
WHITWELL’S TROPICAL PAST
The limestone presently being worked at Whitwell represents a sequence of great climatic change in England’s ancient past. Around 299 million years ago the area lay within the ancient super-continent of Pangea, with a climate similar to the Sahara. Wind blown desert sands accumulated as dunes during the Permian period and covered the underlying carboniferous coal measures.
UNDER THE SEA
Then, around 259 million years ago, a vast area of land, spanning from Mansfield to present day Germany,
subsided and flooded to form the landlocked Zechstein Sea. This inland tropical sea remained for millions of years when large thicknesses of fine grained limestone were deposited. Around Whitwell, within the limestone, there formed a large underwater “sand” bar or ridge which contained a pure limestone, low in silica and iron. Due to the hot climate, minerals in the sea water became concentrated and the limestone was enriched with high levels of magnesium.
These processes combined to create the special quality Magnesian limestone that is worked at the quarry today.
WHITWELL’S TROPICAL PAST
The rocks presently being worked at Whitwell represent a sequence of great climatic change in England’s ancient past. Around 299 million years ago the area lay within the ancient super-‐continent of Pangea, with a climate similar to the Sahara. Wind blown desert sands accumulated as dunes during the Permian period and covered the underlying Carboniferous coal measures.
UNDER THE SEA
Then around 259 million years ago a vast area of land, spanning from Mansfield to present day Germany, subsided and flooded to form the landlocked Zechstein Sea. This inland tropical sea remained for millions of years when large thicknesses of fine grained, limestone were deposited. Around Whitwell, within the limestone, there formed a large underwater “sand” bar or ridge which contained a pure limestone, low in silica and iron. Due to the hot climate, minerals in the sea water became concentrated and the limestone was enriched with high levels of magnesium. These processes combined to create the special quality Magnesian Limestone that is worked by the quarry today.
High Iron Kiln Limestone Low Iron Kiln Limestone
Silica rich Limestone Silica rich Limestone
Public Road
West East
Geological sketch cross section looking north towards Whitwell
Main Quarry Belph Quarry
Whitwell Colliery coal tip
Marl Sand
Carboniferous Coal Measures
Marl Marl
Permian
Carboniferous
Geological sketch cross section looking north towards Whitwell
Carboniferous
Former colliery tip at Belph
Quarry extension
WHAT WE DO
THE FUTURE OF WHITWELL QUARRY
IMPORTANT SUPPLIER OF LIMESTONE
There has been a limestone quarry at Whitwell since 1958. The quarry is an important source of construction materials in North Derbyshire and North Nottinghamshire and is one of the few sites in the UK to supply a special industrial grade of limestone which is vital for steelmaking.
This industrial limestone, which is also used to manufacture heat resistant bricks for high temperature industrial applications, is processed in rotary kilns at Whitwell that are operated by a separate company.
Limestone from the quarry is used on site for the production of ready-mixed concrete. Agricultural lime is supplied to the farming industry and sinter is produced for steelmaking at Scunthorpe.
The quarry currently processes nearly a million tonnes of stone every year and the site, across all its activities, supports more than 220 jobs and makes a contribution to the local economy of over £6 million a year.
HOW WE DO IT
THE FUTURE OF WHITWELL QUARRY
EXTRACTION OF THE LIMESTONE
EXTRACTION
In order to extract the limestone a section of rock is broken up by applying explosives.
Each blast is designed by computer program to safely release up to 50,000 tonnes of stone at a time and minimise ground vibration.
The strength of blasts is tightly controlled through planning permission conditions and each blast is monitored to ensure compliance with the limits set.
CRUSHING AND SCREENING
Crushing machinery is used to break down the stone into varying sizes. For the construction grade products the range is from 70mm to dust and for kiln grade stone it is from 50mm to 10mm sizes.
The construction stone is then stockpiled ready for delivery.
PROCESSING
The processed industrial grade limestone is carried by conveyors to supply Whitwell Works, which is operated by a separate company.
This limestone is burnt at temperatures up to 2,000oC in rotary kilns to make products essential for the steel and refractory industries.
HOW WE DO IT
THE FUTURE OF WHITWELL QUARRY
TRANSPORT
All aggregate lorries have their load weighed, are sheeted and go through wheel washes before leaving site.
The site has good transport links. Products are delivered by road on regulated routes that avoid neighbouring village centres, connecting with the primary transport network.
USE OF OUR PRODUCTS
THE FUTURE OF WHITWELL QUARRY
Creating infrastructure to help transform the former Ireland Colliery near Staveley into the wildlife attraction of Poolsbrook Country Park.
New entry points and bridge for the A1 at Elkesley.3. 4.
Building a new visitor facility for the Harley Gallery on the Welbeck Estate.
An access road for a new solar panel farm at Thoresby in Nottinghamshire.
1. 2.
Whitwell Quarry supplies a wide variety of local projects with its construction stone products. Some examples in 2015 are:-
WHAT IS BEING PROPOSED?
THE FUTURE OF WHITWELL QUARRY
At current levels of demand existing permitted stone reserves will last about 10 years.
But we need to gain access now to the last remaining economic reserves that are lateral extensions to Whitwell Quarry (see plan above). This is because in order to maximise the use of industrial grade stone we need to be able to blend varying grades, with appropriate chemical content, to supply the on-site Works’ requirements for their range of products.
So later this year we shall be applying to Derbyshire County Council for permission for four additional areas of extraction which would extend the life of the quarry by a further 15 years.
Existing facilities for stone processing will be used and quarry delivery traffic will be similar to present levels.
As the stone is worked out we will progressively restore the site to a mixture of land uses that will increase wildlife biodiversity.
Environmental impact assessments
We have commissioned specialist consultants to assess the possible environmental impact of the proposals on ecology, the landscape and visual amenity of neighbouring residents, and water quality and resources. The impacts of the proposals on noise in the area, vibration from rock blasting and on traffic using local roads will also be assessed.
The results of this work will be presented in the Environmental Statement that will accompany our planning application.
KEY
Proposed extension areas
Restored area
Current permitted extraction areas
Whitwell quarry boundary
Regulated route for quarry traffic
RESTORATION CONCEPT
THE FUTURE OF WHITWELL QUARRY
INCREASING BIODIVERSITY
We will progressively restore the quarry as areas become available following the completion of limestone extraction and are no longer required operationally.
The restoration concept plan (above) is how we see the site finally looking when extraction is completed in around 25 years time.
There will be a mix of land uses. Agricultural land will be created along with areas of conservation limestone grassland, three lakes, fen, and woodland, and establishment of new hedgerows .Thousands of
native tree and shrub species will be planted within the woodland areas and hedgerows.
Some areas will be left to colonise naturally, with rock faces retained in places to leave the magnesian limestone strata exposed, mirroring some of the natural rock features of the locality.
The initial phase of restoration, which will be undertaken within two years of the proposed development beginning, will start along the western part (Creswell side) of the main quarry.
KEY
RESTORATIONIN PRACTICE
THE FUTURE OF WHITWELL QUARRY
A current example of progressive restoration is pictured above which is at the eastern end of the Belph Tip workings. Here, land-raising linked into the formation of a new landform was undertaken to screen the workings to the west.
The new landform supports agricultural pasture, hedgerow and tree planting on the steeper parts. The public footpath was diverted around the eastern boundary of the landform.
ROADS AND FOOTPATHS
THE FUTURE OF WHITWELL QUARRY
No public footpaths will have to be diverted by the proposed development. When the site is fully restored there will be increased public access to the restored areas.
In addition we are proposing to retain part of the existing screening mound on the northern perimeter (Whitwell side) of the quarry to maintain reduced views from the present footpath into the workings (see schematic above).
For quarry and kilns lorry deliveries it is proposed to use the current regulated route (shown on the plan below) which avoids the centres of Creswell and Whitwell and connects with the primary road network on the A60.
Existing footpath
Soil to beremoved
3.5m high existing screening mound
The newquarry face
Extent of the existingsoil mound. Someof the soil will be
removed for storageelsewhere
Soil will be left in placeto maintain a screeningmound to a height ofapproximately 2.5m
N S
LT/WTE/05-15/18678
Schematic cross section through the footpath to the north of the quarry
Regulated route for quarry traffic
Footpaths and bridleways
Footpaths and bridleways
Proposed extension areas
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK
THE FUTURE OF WHITWELL QUARRY
FURTHER INFORMATION
A summary of the proposals is available on the Lafarge Tarmac website - www. lafargetarmac.com/whitwell.
When we have finalised the planning application and completed associated reports these documents will also be accessible on the website. A hard copy will also be available for inspection at the quarry offices.
Phone: (01909) 726200 for further information
Your comments
We would like to have your feedback on the proposals and how we have communicated them. There are various ways of doing this including filling in a comment form and leaving it in the box provided or using one of the I-pads to do so electronically. Or you can email us at [email protected]
TITLETITLE
EVENT TITLE
OPTIONAL SUBHEAD
THE QUARRY IN THE COMMUNITY
THE FUTURE OF WHITWELL QUARRY
LOCAL LIAISON
We have a policy of engaging proactively with our neighbouring communities. At Whitwell for many years we have participated in a local liaison committee which includes representatives of the community and the company. This is a useful forum for the exchange of news and views
We also support local community projects and charities where we can. This ranges from small donations of materi-als from the quarry to larger financial contributions. In the last ten years through the company’s landfill communities scheme (LCS) a total of £376,000 has been donated to community projects around Whitwell Quarry.
Creswell Heritage Trust has received considerable support, with the most recent donation towards public access maintenance. We were also happy to agree to a request to provide new safety hard hats and lights for visitors to use in the caves on guided tours.
In Whitwell, the most recent project was a donation of £37,625 to the parish council for development of a multi-use games area and new skate park. In Creswell, help was given recently towards the Village Company’s scheme to en-hance recycling facilities.