Plans for a concrete batching plant at Slate House Quarry, near Hibaldstow, have been refused by North Lincolnshire Council ‘s planning committee.
Welton Aggregates Ltd already run a quarry between Hibaldstow and Redbourne that produces limestone products. It applied in 2023 for the concrete batching plant.
Councillors deferred a decision before for a site visit. When there, they were dismayed to see an existing planning traffic condition being broken.
Permission was given to reopen the Slate House Quarry site where the concrete batching plant would be in 2009, after a planning appeal. The proposed batching plant would have produced an average of 250 tonnes of ready-mix concrete per day and potentially employed a minimum of three additional full-time experienced members of staff. Dozens of residents and two parish councils had objected.
‘A further industrialisation of the countryside’
“Neither Redbourne or Hibaldstow are classifed as strategic industrial locations,” said Lynn Wainwright, calling for the batching plant’s refusal. “We have lived with the dust, noise and vehicle movement impact of the Slate House Quarry for over 15 years,” she said.
“There are 500 acres of ex-industrial available land far more suitable for this type of manufacturing in Scunthorpe.” Extra HGV lorries the batching plant would bring was also highlighted – in its submitted transport statement, Welton Aggregates contends there will be the same number of HGV movements to site per day.
On a condition for vehicle movements from the site to go via a haul road to the A15, they warned: “History will tell us conditions previously applied are very easily disregarded.” Ms Wainwright described the proposal as “a further industrialisation of the countryside”.
Ridge Ward Cllr Trevor Foster said there were “many flaws in this submission”, including no demonstrated concrete supply need in the area and no viable transport plan or environmental impact assessment. There were “at least five batching plants in North Lincolnshire already”. He called it “totally unacceptable”, the industrialisation of open countryside.
“This application has generated significant public concern,” said fellow Ridge Ward Cllr David Garritt. Messingham Ward Cllr Neil Poole also weighed in. He recalled the original appeal allowing the quarry was for the production of “quality block stone”. This would refurbish historic places, like Lincoln Cathedral. “Since then, we have seen the site go from its original application to basically removing aggregate and also some recycling.”
“I cannot see for the life of me what a concrete batching plant has to do with the production of high quality stone”, adding he felt there was “no economic benefit whatsoever” to Hibaldstow or Redbourne. “It’d be interesting to know how many employed live in North Lincolnshire, let alone Hibaldstow and Redbourne.”
He also called suggested road conditions “laughable” because existing ones “have never been enforced”. Committee member Cllr Carol Ross said on their site visit earlier that day, committee members saw a lorry go straight onto Redbourne Road and one come back in the same direction. They also “saw the damage caused” to the road and verges by the traffic.
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She added, “Residents of Scawby are having problems as well” with traffic associated with the quarry. “If you were going to ensure enforcement for one morning, you’d think you’d do it when there’s eight people from the council stood there,” said Cllr Max Bell. He was “not satisfied that the potential positives outweigh the negatives”.
Cllr Mick Grant said he would welcome it if it was proposed for a Scunthorpe ex-industrial area. Permission was refused, with only Cllr Grant in favour.
“We’ve had it for 15 years,” whispered a resident to the press about the quarry as they left the meeting. The quarry currently is only allowed to operate to 2026, but there is a pending application to extend its life.
Original artice: https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/all-about/scunthorpe
