We can only source sand and gravel from specific areas and a significant deposit is located in and around this part of Dorset.

The local Council identifies the need for construction materials in the region and then allocates specific sites to meet that need. After an extensive period of consultation and an Examination in Public by a Planning Inspector, the Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole and Dorset Mineral Sites Plan 2019 was adopted by Dorset Council on 31 December 2019. The North East Extension to Woodsford Quarry is an allocated site in that Plan.

The life of the extension is estimated to be 14 years including preparation and restoration.

The existing infrastructure at the plant site and access will be used. There will, therefore, be no increase in local traffic.

The Government has set out specific guidance on noise associated with mineral extraction and restoration. This forms the basis for the noise assessment. The noise assessment builds a computer model of noise levels through the full operation from soil stripping, bund building, mineral extraction and restoration. The properties which were considered to represent the sensitive locations were agreed with the Environmental Health officer at Dorset Council and background noise measurements taken.

The mineral extraction at the north eastern extension will use conveyors to take mineral from the working area back to the plant site in the existing quarry. Conveyors are considerably less noisy than using dump trucks. The noise model confirms where any mitigation measures are needed and these are being incorporated into the overall design.

As well as the distance to properties, mitigation will include the positioning of the grassed soil bunds to act as a noise barrier where needed temporarily. A site specific noise management plan will form part of the planning submission and operation of the quarry extension.

As with noise, the first step is to identify sensitive receptors. The approach to the assessment was agreed with an Environmental Health officer at Dorset Council before commencing. As well as properties, the assessment also includes ecologically important sites.

Dust from all aspects of the operations on site is considered. Mitigation measures include the use of conveyors, which cause much less dust to arise than dump trucks moving around site as well as the naturally damp nature of a sand and gravel quarry. The assessment concludes that, with measures in place, dust can be adequately controlled. A site-specific dust management plan (DMP) will form part of the application.

The assessment has looked at groundwater, surface water and the potential for flooding both during and after the operational life of the extension site.  Information on groundwater from boreholes around the site has been collated and the presence of other mineral working in the area considered. The site lies outside identified flood zones. The ground and surface water regimes are well understood with working the current permitted quarry.

Most of the site currently comprises arable fields, which offer limited opportunity for diverse habitats. The restoration proposed will introduce a wide range of new habitats giving a substantial gain to the wider environment. Extensive fieldwork has been ongoing, looking at the land in terms of both flora and fauna, and an arboriculture survey has been carried out. Working practices are designed to avoid impacts to wildlife e.g. soil stripping or removal of vegetation at appropriate times of the year. Site restoration will improve the diversity of habitats with wildlife corridors forming linkages to surrounding habitats. The proposals would see new areas of fenland pasture, wildlife lakes and newly established hedges and tree belts. Ecological monitoring will form part of the post restoration work ensuring habitats are managed appropriately.

Substantial background information has already been collected with reviews of existing information sources, geophysical investigations and extensive field evaluation work. The work carried out in the existing quarry informs this as well. The assessment work confirmed the potential for a range of finds but nothing has been identified that is considered so significant to prevent mineral extraction. The archaeology associated with mineral extraction provided considerable insight into the archaeological history of the UK and this land has the same potential. The exact measures will be agreed with the County Archaeologist but it is expected that an archaeologist will be on site as soil stripping takes place in areas identified as being of specific interest and should anything of significance be found, further investigation undertaken.

Restoration has been considered at length within the constraints of the materials that will be available after mineral extraction, the level of groundwater within the site and the interests of Woodsford Farms when the land is returned post extraction. The later phases of the site will be returned to agricultural production, using the soils and overburden that have been accumulated in the earlier phases.

Additionally, the habitats that will be created, include lowland fen/ pasture which will be grazing land and include seasonally wet scrapes. Native hedgerows and hedgerow trees will be planted along with blocks and belts of broadleaf woodland. The water bodies within the extension site will be wildlife lakes or angling lakes (subject to any necessary consents). Each wildlife lake includes a nesting island. All of the restored land will be subject to habitat management.

Hills HGVs and mobile plant, including loading shovels and excavators, operate to the latest Euro 6 European standards in terms of emissions.
Covered conveyors, in place of dump trucks, will transport the sand and gravel from the extraction area to the processing plant to minimise noise, dust as well as reduce both carbon emissions and use of fossil fuels. The processing plant, conveyors and water pumps will all be electrically driven except in areas where there is no access to electrical power. Use of specialist vehicle management software for real-time tracking of vehicles will reduce wasted journeys and ensure efficient routing for HGVs. Green energy is being considered as an alternative energy source for the plant site and offices.