Silsden quarry blocked after Planning Inspector rejects appeal

Friday, 10 May 2024 21:12

Plans for a quarry on the edge of Silsden to be reopened won't now go ahead - after a planning inspection dismissed an appeal against Bradford Council's decision to reject it.

Hundreds of people had objected to plans to re-open Horn Crag Quarry which, if approved, would have seen 520,000 tonnes of Yorkshire Stone taken from the site over a 20-year period.

Bradford Council rejected a second application from A D Calvert Architectural Stone Supplies in May 2023, saying the proposal wasn't acceptable in an “area of distinct character.” They also raised concerns about the quarry’s impact on water supplies in the area.

The applicant appealed against the decision, with an Inquiry held in February this year at City Hall in Bradford as part of the Planning Inspectorate process.

Objectors said - among other things - that the area’s roads were not suitable for HGVs, that it would damage the environment and impact local wildlife.

Planning Inspector Rachael Bust writes in her appeal decision notice:

"The permanent changes to landscape character would not be acceptable. This harm would be to a valued landscape and in my judgement the harm to the landscape weighs substantially against the proposal. Notwithstanding the phasing and restoration proposals, the temporary effects to the landscape character would also in my judgement be unacceptable for a significant period of time which weighs heavily against the proposal.

"I have carefully considered all arguments presented by the Appellant and have taken account of all other matters raised in the representations and in the oral evidence to the Inquiry in my own assessment of this scheme. Having regard to all matters, it is my overall conclusion that the aspects that weigh in favour of the proposal, specifically need, would not be sufficient to overcome the harm that I have identified and therefore the conflict with the development plan. In such circumstances, relevant material considerations do not indicate that a decision should be reached otherwise than in accordance with the development plan."

Responding to the news, Keighley and Ilkley MP Robbie Moore said:

"I'm extremely pleased to see that plans to re-open Horn Crag Quarry have been dismissed.

"Throughout this saga, I made my views clear against these plans, which would have undoubtedly had huge negative consequences for residents in the Silsden area or indeed anyone living along the access route - not to mention its effects on local wildlife and our environment.

"This is a great day for Silsden and a huge thank you must go to everyone who submitted their objections and campaigned hard for this result."

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