Controversial quarry near A12 returns to Suffolk council after legal issues. Decision Tuesday.
A court stopped the quarry in August after parish councils and residents made a claim. They argued the council made a mistake and didn’t follow rules about development. However, the council denied other claims, stating they considered alternatives, checked the noise, and addressed extra truck traffic.
The quarry application remains the same, though new information is included. The plan is for sand and gravel extraction across 35.7 hectares east of the A12 at Copdock. It will operate for 15 years, after which the land will return to its original state.
The quarry would operate during specific hours: 7 am to 6 pm weekdays and 7 am to 1 pm on Saturdays, remaining closed on Sundays and holidays. The plan aims to extract 2.794 million tonnes over the entire life of the quarry.
Several groups, including the parish councils of Bentley, Copdock, Washbrook, Capel St Mary, and Tattingstone, formally objected. The council also received 238 letters, all voicing opposition to the project.
Concerns included traffic increases and the impact on nature. Some also questioned the necessity of the quarry itself.
Figures show traffic will increase by 230 trips daily. The company offered £20,000 for traffic measures. These include truck restrictions on certain roads, with changes planned for Bentley Hall Road and Church Road.
The plan includes a new, metalled two-way road connecting the A12 to the quarry area. A temporary haul road is also planned, linking the access road and plant area.
Babergh District Council argued the company attacked the landscape and policy, failing to address impacts to the landscape.
Conversely, county council officers stated the plan follows policy if certain rules are met. Planners want to approve the plan, contingent on meeting 55 conditions, including a requirement for the quarry to cease operations by 2042 and restore the site.