Fears over Temple Guiting quarrying as villagers say they don't open their windows due to the dust
Summary
Questions have been raised over the impact quarrying is having on residents in the North Cotswolds . The cluster of stone quarries near Temple Guiting has been a cause of concern for years among residents with villagers previously reporting that they do not open their windows due to dust.
Details
Conservative Councillor Tom Bradley, who represents the area at Shire Hall, asked council leaders last week what assessment has been made of the cumulative impact of quarrying in the area. In particular, he wants to know what studies have been done on the impact on highways, communities, loss of amenity, and people’s health.
“I’d just be grateful if you would be able to update me post that conversation with officers on that discussion around how we measure the cumulative impact going forward,” he said during the meeting on May 13.
Liberal Democrat Councillor Martin Horwood (Leckhampton and Warden Hill), who held the relevant cabinet portfolio at the time, said the cumulative impact is being assessed in the creation of the minerals waste local plan and is taken into account in individual decisions on planning applications. “The cumulative impact is being assessed,” he said.
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He went on to say the council’s cabinet has been briefed about bringing forward a new plan to manage mineral extraction such as sand, gravel, and stone quarries “I’m very aware that Cheltenham doesn’t have a lot of quarrying,” he added. “Although, actually, my own ward was shaped by it. Leckhampton Hill was once an industrial landscape with tramways, inclines and quarries.
“This wasn’t something that I was particularly familiar with in terms of its impact on rural communities like the North Cotswolds. “And so I’ve made a point of getting the entire cabinet briefed on the forward plan to bring forward a new minerals and waste local plan. There was a very clear commitment from the whole cabinet that member and public engagement will be part of that process.
He said the new plan would be brought to full council in due course.