Here is some latest information about the campaign to object to plans for a sand and gravel quarry immediately between Barton in Fabis and Clifton Village along the banks of the River Trent.

6th August 2021

As many of you may be aware, the quarry site between Barton in Fabis and Clifton was included in the County Council’s Mineral Plan in March this year – BUT this does not mean that the battle is lost!!! In order for the site to go ahead the operators will need to secure planning permission from the County Council. New plans have recently been submitted to the County Council with many questions still unanswered.

We are asking everyone in the village to help us as you have so magnificently in the past, by making your objections known to the County Council through the public consultation which is running until September 10th. We also need to appeal directly to the Councillors who sit on the County Council’s Planning Committee. These Councillors will have the final say on whether the gravel extraction goes ahead and therefore it is so important for us all to make it clear how important this area is to us and why it should not be destroyed.

I know that some of you may feel another letter will make no difference. However, please that believe me these letters are vital – we have already delayed the destruction of our area by 7 years since the scheme was first proposed! Now we need to kill it!

REMEMBER…

If the quarry goes ahead the whole valley area between the village and Clifton Woods will be lost for at least 20 years and even then will never be the same.

Gravel extraction will take place at certain times 11 hours a day and 6 days a week with the inevitable dust and noise, particularly in the summer months.

The total destruction of this area of Green Belt means that dozens of species of birds and animals will be lost and the peace and quiet of the whole valley used by walkers and horse riders permanently damaged – remember how many people have valued that during lockdown!

The quarry will also have a huge impact on local wildlife sites, Brandshill Ancient Woodland and Attenborough Nature Reserve. The site will also require a giant processing site on the top of Mill Hill with 28,000 lorry movements each year on to Green Street which is a ‘quiet lane used by walkers, horse riders and cyclists and will significantly add to traffic levels at Mill Hill with delays and congestion on top of the impact from the new Fairham Pastures.

It will not stop there, if planning permission is granted then in future years the County Council is likely to approve extensions which would surround the village right round to Thrumpton.

WE HAVE NEW ALLIES!

We now have the backing of 3 local MPs; Ruth Edwards (Rushcliffe), Lilian Greenwood (Clifton) and Darren Henry (Broxtowe) and our new County Councillor (Matt Barney) and Borough Councillor (Rex Walker) are also behind us.

We are also working to oppose the quarry with allies in Thrumpton, Gotham, Clifton Village, Barton Green and Lark Hill and have the backing of Notts Wildlife Trust, RSPB, CPRE and Ramblers association.

Allan Kerr

Chairman, Barton in Fabis Parish Council