Latest news with #AONB
Leader Live
2 days ago
- Business
- Leader Live
Bid to extend life of Burley Hill Quarry near Mold rejected
Meeting at County Hall in Ruthin, planning committee members voted to reject Tarmac Trading Ltd's application to continue working Burley Hill Quarry, near Mold, for another 15 years. The proposal, which sought to extend operations without increasing the site's boundaries or the volume of mineral extracted, was refused by 15 votes to three. Tiffany Cox, a chartered surveyor who has worked with Tarmac for eight years, defended the application, telling councillors it was 'simply an extension of time to allow the approved, consented limestone'. She insisted that 'no further land would be disturbed' and argued the limestone was essential for infrastructure. 'Unlike other forms of development, minerals can only be worked where they are found and are essential to build our roads, houses, and other infrastructure,' she said. 'The limestone at Burley already forms part of the landbank, and if this application were refused, the landbank would need to be replenished by extensions at other sites or through the approval of entirely new greenfield quarries.' Despite officers recommending approval, citing the economic need, the proposal faced opposition from residents, community councils, environmental groups, and Senedd Members. But Cllr Alan James proposed approving the application, calling it 'extremely difficult' but acknowledging: 'We clearly have a need.' Cllr Ellie Chard seconded this, adding: 'I feel that we do have to have a landbank… I'm sorry, we need it for our roads and housing, so we do have to have it for Denbighshire and Flintshire, the quantities that we need.' Tarmac Trading Ltd have applied tp Denbighshire County Council with a Section 73 application, which if granted could allow the company to continue working at Burley Hill Quarry for 15 years.. But several councillors spoke strongly against the plan. Cllr Andrea Tomlin argued that 'tranquillity is difficult to measure'. She added: 'I think we get that (sense of need) from the locals, not from the report or paper definition.' She then warned that granting permission would be 'to the detriment of the amenity'. Alyn Valley member Cllr Terry Mendies opposed the plans. 'This is a classic case of common sense prevailing,' he said. 'Look at the residents' objections; the Senedd Members. 'Very succinctly, I would urge members to vote against this.' Cllr Mendies then formally proposed refusal, citing the 'unacceptable impact' on the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and the weight of formal objections. The committee also heard that, if rejected, the applicant could appeal the decision, and that the restoration of the site would be required if it were refused. The proposal had sparked fierce opposition in the run-up to the meeting. The Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB Joint Advisory Committee, four local community councils, Madra, Ramblers Cymru, and Senedd Members including Sam Rowlands, Carolyn Thomas, Darren Millar, Llyr Gruffydd, Hannah Blythyn, and Mark Isherwood all raised significant concerns, citing environmental harm, traffic, noise, and damage to tourism. The debate had been delayed twice previously to allow further public consultation. In the end, councillors sided with the objectors, delivering a resounding rejection of the plans, with 15 votes to three. Clwyd West MS Darren Millar welcomed the refusal to extend the life of Burley Hill Quarry, Eryrys. He said: 'I am pleased that common sense has prevailed, and that the majority of planning committee members listened to the concerns raised by the local community and could see the detrimental impact this would have had on the area. Read more 'Residents, Llanferres Community Council, Llanarmon-yn-Iâl Community Council, Nercwys Community Council, and Mold Town Council all opposed the plans, as did the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) joint advisory committee as well as Madra and Ramblers Cymru. 'I thank Cllr Terry Mendies for putting forward the proposal for refusal, I know he has been working hard with the local community in recent years to oppose this application. 'I also thank all other planning committee members who supported his recommendation and voted against the application. 'The dormant quarry is situated in a designated area of outstanding natural beauty, bringing it back into use would have caused much disruption and had a detrimental affect on tourism to the area. Today's outcome is therefore fantastic news!'
North Wales Live
5 days ago
- Business
- North Wales Live
Controversial plan to reopen quarry in North Wales beauty spot thrown out
A controversial bid to extend the life of a dormant limestone quarry in a protected beauty spot has been thrown out by Denbighshire councillors. Meeting at County Hall in Ruthin this week, planning committee members voted to reject Tarmac Trading Ltd's application to continue working Burley Hill Quarry, near Mold, for another 15 years. The proposal, which sought to extend operations without increasing the site's boundaries or the volume of mineral extracted, was refused by 15 votes to three. Tiffany Cox, a chartered surveyor who has worked with Tarmac for eight years, defended the application, telling councillors it was 'simply an extension of time to allow the approved, consented limestone". She insisted that 'no further land would be disturbed' and argued the limestone was essential for infrastructure. 'Unlike other forms of development, minerals can only be worked where they are found and are essential to build our roads, houses, and other infrastructure,' she said. S ign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox. 'The limestone at Burley already forms part of the landbank, and if this application were refused, the landbank would need to be replenished by extensions at other sites or through the approval of entirely new greenfield quarries.' Despite officers recommending approval, citing the economic need, the proposal faced opposition from residents, community councils, environmental groups, and Senedd Members. But Cllr Alan James proposed approving the application, calling it 'extremely difficult' but acknowledging: 'We clearly have a need.' Cllr Ellie Chard seconded this, adding: 'I feel that we do have to have a landbank... I'm sorry, we need it for our roads and housing, so we do have to have it for Denbighshire and Flintshire, the quantities that we need.' But several councillors spoke strongly against the plan. Cllr Andrea Tomlin argued that 'tranquillity is difficult to measure'. She added: 'I think we get that (sense of need) from the locals, not from the report or paper definition.' She then warned that granting permission would be 'to the detriment of the amenity'. Alyn Valley member Cllr Terry Mendies opposed the plans. 'This is a classic case of common sense prevailing,' he said. 'Look at the residents' objections; the Senedd Members. Very succinctly, I would urge members to vote against this.' Cllr Mendies then formally proposed refusal, citing the 'unacceptable impact' on the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and the weight of formal objections. The committee also heard that, if rejected, the applicant could appeal the decision, and that the restoration of the site would be required if it were refused. The proposal had sparked fierce opposition in the run-up to the meeting. The Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB Joint Advisory Committee, four local community councils, Madra, Ramblers Cymru, and Senedd Members including Sam Rowlands, Carolyn Thomas, Darren Millar, Llyr Gruffydd, Hannah Blythyn, and Mark Isherwood all raised significant concerns, citing environmental harm, traffic, noise, and damage to tourism. The debate had been delayed twice previously to allow further public consultation. In the end, councillors sided with the objectors, delivering a resounding rejection of the plans, with 15 votes to three. Public notices in your area
North Wales Live
16-07-2025
- Business
- North Wales Live
Caravan park found to have no planning permission after making expansion bid
A caravan park's bid to expand led to the discovery that planning permission did not exist for the site. A planning application was lodged with Cyngor Gwynedd to expand the Berth Ddu caravan park near Abersoch to allow 15 touring caravans on the site. There are seven plots currently on the site, at Bwlchtocyn. However, planning bosses found that the site had only ever had permission for five caravans through an exemption certificate. Get all the latest Gwynedd news by signing up to our newsletter - sent every Tuesday This certificate had expired, meaning there was no planning permission in place for the site to operate. Planners therefore considered the site on the basis of it being a new development, and turned it down during a meeting on Monday [July 14]. The application, submitted by John Evans, of Evans Caravan & Camping Ltd, was for a patch of prime agricultural land in the Llŷn Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Llŷn and Enlli Landscape of Outstanding Historic Interest. The proposed site had also been graded as "Class II good quality agricultural land," considered among the "best and most versatile" which should be "protected as a finite resource for the future," planning officer Sian Dafydd said. She told the meeting: "It does not appear that any planning permission exists for the caravans on the site. "During the site inspection we found that a Caravan and Motorhome Club certified venue sign was on display here. "However, having made enquiries, confirmation was received that there is no longer an exemption certificate for the site. "In reality, therefore, this is not an application to extend an existing site; instead, it is an application for a new touring caravan site for 15 caravans." The application was therefore submitted to the committee, as it concerned a development on a site of 0.5 hectares or more. The officer had described how it was considered "contrary" to various policy and planning considerations. Among issues was that the quality of landscaping of the site was considered generally "weak," and the site was likely to be prominent from a road, footpaths, and higher ground and have an impact on the AONB. The applicant had proposed landscape screening, but it was considered that this would take several years to be adequate, and "doubtful" in the short term. Policy had called for sites to be located in a "non-intrusive location, well concealed by landscape features, and not causing harm to the visual quality of the landscape within the AONB". The AONB Unit had felt there were a "substantial number of touring caravans around Sarn Bach/Bwlchtocyn, putting pressure on the AONB and local environment and services". The plans had also prompted objections by Welsh countryside protection campaigners. A report had noted that the site could offer "a positive contribution to the local economy, additional employment for locals and help support and sustain local shops, pubs and cafes". However the planning officer said it was felt the caravans would not "blend easily into the landscape" and be "detrimental to the visual quality of the landscape" and "not contribute to conserving or enhancing or restoring the character of the Llŷn Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty". She also noted "a lack of evidence submitted" to show that "full consideration" had been give to losing the high grade agricultural land. Cllr Edgar Wyn Owen said: "It stands out, there was an agreement for five caravans previously. "There were seven there, so there were two which should not have been there, and there's no agreement now.
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Outcry over plans to reopen quarry at beauty spot
Plans to extend the life of a dormant quarry in an official area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB) have caused an outcry. Tarmac Trading Ltd is seeking to use Burley Hill Quarry at Eryrys, Denbighshire, for another 15 years, with the site originally given planning permission between 1950 and 2021. It has prompted opposition from neighbouring councils, walking groups and residents amid concerns about noise, traffic and damage to the environment and tourism in an area known as the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB. Planning officers have said if the quarry was refused permission, "reserves would remain unworked, and the minerals would be required to be acquired elsewhere". 'Chaos' worries over beauty spot cafe plan Instagram tourists urged to respect beauty spot Push for new national park on 75th birthday A decision on Tarmac Trading Ltd's plans to continue extracting 3.8m tonnes of limestone is due to be discussed on Wednesday after the debate was delayed twice by Denbighshire council's planning committee to allow further public consultation. Planning officers are recommending the committee grants the application permission. Opponents include the community councils of Llanferres, Llanarmon-yn-Ial and Nercwys as well as Mold Town Council, the AONB's joint advisory committee and Ramblers Cymru, while a local petition has collected in excess of 400 names. Members of the Senedd have also raised concerns, including Sam Rowland, Carolyn Thomas, Darren Millar, Llyr Gruffydd, Hannah Blythyn, and Mark Isherwood. "The quarry closed 20 years ago, and there has been a lot of change in the area since then with many new businesses, many of which rely on tourism to thrive," said Millar, the leader of the Welsh Conservatives in the Senedd who also represents Clwyd West. In a letter to the planning authority, the AONB said "reopening the quarry and extending its life for a further 15 years will have a significant adverse impact on local tranquillity through an increase in noise, heavy traffic, and a general increase in activity and disturbance associated with quarrying operations". But a 140-page planning report said there was "a demonstrable need for the mineral which would outweigh any temporary harm to the tranquillity of the AONB, which can be mitigated". "Whilst it is considered that there would be an impact on tranquillity, it would not undermine the natural beauty of the AONB, given the limited time and frequency of the proposed campaign events," it said. It added the proposed operations would be at a "lesser intensity with a reduced output level compared to that of when the site was operational pre-2005". Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB Denbighshire council planning committee
BBC News
12-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Outcry over plans to reopen Burley Hill Quarry at Eryrys beauty spot
Plans to extend the life of a dormant quarry in an official area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB) have caused an Trading Ltd is seeking to use Burley Hill Quarry at Eryrys, Denbighshire, for another 15 years, with the site originally given planning permission between 1950 and has prompted opposition from neighbouring councils, walking groups and residents amid concerns about noise, traffic and damage to the environment and tourism in an area known as the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley officers have said if the quarry was refused permission, "reserves would remain unworked, and the minerals would be required to be acquired elsewhere". A decision on Tarmac Trading Ltd's plans to continue extracting 3.8m tonnes of limestone is due to be discussed on Wednesday after the debate was delayed twice by Denbighshire council's planning committee to allow further public officers are recommending the committee grants the application include the community councils of Llanferres, Llanarmon-yn-Ial and Nercwys as well as Mold Town Council, the AONB's joint advisory committee and Ramblers Cymru, while a local petition has collected in excess of 400 of the Senedd have also raised concerns, including Sam Rowland, Carolyn Thomas, Darren Millar, Llyr Gruffydd, Hannah Blythyn, and Mark Isherwood."The quarry closed 20 years ago, and there has been a lot of change in the area since then with many new businesses, many of which rely on tourism to thrive," said Millar, the leader of the Welsh Conservatives in the Senedd who also represents Clwyd a letter to the planning authority, the AONB said "reopening the quarry and extending its life for a further 15 years will have a significant adverse impact on local tranquillity through an increase in noise, heavy traffic, and a general increase in activity and disturbance associated with quarrying operations".But a 140-page planning report said there was "a demonstrable need for the mineral which would outweigh any temporary harm to the tranquillity of the AONB, which can be mitigated"."Whilst it is considered that there would be an impact on tranquillity, it would not undermine the natural beauty of the AONB, given the limited time and frequency of the proposed campaign events," it added the proposed operations would be at a "lesser intensity with a reduced output level compared to that of when the site was operational pre-2005".
