PLANNING APPLICATION FOR THE EXTRACTION

OF ROCK AGGREGATES AT

HAZELBANK, ST ANN'S

WELCOME

Welcome to the community consultation website for the proposed Hazelbank Quarry.

The proposed site is within Hazelbank Plantation, approximately 2km north of St. Ann's and 22km to the north of Dumfries.

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​If approved, mineral extraction will take place over an area of approximately 5 hectares. Rock resources within the quarry are estimated to be approximately 2 million tonnes.

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​The proposal is being developed by Johnson Poole & Bloomer Ltd for Hoddam Contracting Co. Ltd (Hoddam).

PROPOSAL

Background

Hoddam own and operate two sand and gravel quarry sites within Dumfries and Galloway. Broom Quarry has seen a recent reduction in the amount of gravel within the deposit. The proposal for Hazelbank Quarry has been developed in order to maintain a supply of aggregate products and type 1 fill material, traditionally supplied from the developers sand and gravel quarries. As well as these products the site would provide additional aggregate products only sourced from rock quarries, such as crusher runs.

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The site contains proven resources of rock capable to producing a range of good quality aggregates for use throughout Dumfries and Galloway.

Proposed Development

The proposed extraction area comprises approximately 5 hectares of land, with a yield of circa 2 million tonnes of aggregate, providing sufficient mineral resources to facilitate extraction for up to 28 years, at an extraction rate of an average of 70,000 tonnes per year.​

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As part of site establishment: 

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The site access road will be upgraded with the Annandale Way accommodated via a dedicated segregated footway on the south site of the road as shown on the drawings below. 

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Soils and overburden will be stripped and formed into bunds along the south and north of the quarry excavation in advance of Phase 1 extraction. 

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Mineral extraction will take place in two phases which are shown indicatively on the drawings below. Mineral extraction will progress with the blasting of the insitu rock which will then be lifted from the working face by excavator and processed using crushing and screening plant located within the quarry void. 

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Once processed aggregate products will be stockpiled within the quarry void for collection. Vehicles will regularly be weighed on entering and leaving the quarry using a weighbridge. On entering the quarry, vehicles shall progress to the quarry excavation area for loading. Once loaded, vehicles will leave the quarry via the Site access to the main A701 public road network. 

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Proposed operating hours for the site would be 07:00 to 19:00 hours Monday to Friday 07:00 to 12:00 hours on Saturday.​

PLANS OF THE DEVELOPMENT

Click the image to zoom into details!

Existing Site Topography

Phase 1 Development

Phase 2 Development

Restoration Scheme

The overall objective of restoration at this site is to focus on biodiversity enhancement and habitat creation. The restoration approach to the quarried areas will be undertaken with an aim of restoring primarily to marginal heath/grassland habitat within the quarry floor,  interspersed by base-rich flush habitat associated with surface water run off routes. In addition clusters of scrub/pioneer woodland habitat and localised ephemeral water ponding and wetland will be encouraged. 

Environmental Review

Initial consultation has been undertaken with Dumfries and Galloway Council and an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Screening Opinion provided.

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This confirmed that a formal EIA is not required.

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A number of studies will or have been completed to inform the site design and confirm the environmental acceptability of the development.  

Ecology

An extended Preliminary Ecological Appraisal has been undertaken by Acorna Ecology. The  survey considered not only habitats and species of plant present but also the potential presence of relevant protected species including bats, otters, badgers, red squirrels and water voles.

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The majority of the proposed site is under maturing conifer plantation or young conifer plantation but also includes some rough grassland.

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No notable species of plants were found and most of the habitats present were of little ecological interest. The report also set out best practice measures to ensure the protection of surrounding trees during construction and operation of the development.

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​The site has nil value for roosting bats, otters, water vole and red squirrel will not be impacted. Potential impacts in respect of  badgers, and breeding birds are negligible provided good practice measures are observed.

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A very low population of Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary butterflies were found inside the southern boundary of the Site. A scarce species, but now in favourable conservation status in Scotland with increases in recent years. Further monitoring is recommended prior to making any conservation recommendations.

Archaeology

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There are no heritage assets recorded within the footprint of the proposed quarry area.

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Rathmell Archaeology Ltd are undertaking an assessment of the archaeological potential for the proposed quarry. The information gathered will provide a baseline of the archaeological assets present on and in proximity to the site. The data will be used to inform the assessment of both physical and visual impacts, in line with the national and local planning guidance.

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This along with consultation with a Dumfries and Galloway Archaeologist, and where appropriate Historic Environment Scotland, will inform the development of archaeological mitigation measures that will prevent or offset impacts upon yet unrecorded archaeology.

Water

An Outline Hydrological Impact Assessment and Water Management Plan has been prepared by Envirocentre. In this regard:

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• It is not anticipated that groundwater will be encountered.

• Mitigation has been outlined to ensure protection of the water environment including the provision of a Surface Water Management Plan.​

• Subject to the implementation of these measures all potential effects are assessed as negligible or low magnitude and potential effects on identified receptors are considered to be unlikely.

Due to the remote location of the proposed quarry, the nearest sensitive receptor (Hazelbank Farm) is situated approximately 1km to the south east of the site. Given the distance to this nearest receptor, there will be no discernable noise, vibration and/or air quality impacts upon residential receptors as a result of the proposals.

Noise, Dust, and Vibration

Landscape and Visual Assessment

The development has been designed to minimise any potential for landscape and visual impacts with a belt of trees at least 25m wide retained around the proposed quarry excavation.

As a result landscape and visual impacts will be very limited. A Landscape and Visual Impact Appraisal will be prepared to fully consider the extent of potential impacts to the character of the landscape and to provide for additional mitigation as necessary.

Transport

The proposed access point for quarry traffic onto the A701 will utilise and upgrade the existing bell-mouth entrance which provides a suitable access directly onto the public highway on straight section of the road where suitable visibility splays can be achieved. The proposed output of 70,000 tonnes per annum equates to an average of only 2 HGV movements (i.e. 1 HGV arriving and departing the quarry) per hour.  
 

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What happens now?

An online consultation event will be held  on Monday 22nd March between 4pm and 7pm

To access the consultation event please contact Tom Lewis of Johnson Poole & Bloomer:

• in writing - Johnson Poole & Bloomer, 50 Speirs Wharf, Glasgow G4 9TH 

• by email -

• or call - 01413311456

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Comments to the applicant can be made now.

Comments can be made:

• using the message box, please include your full name and location in the message section; 

•  by email to ; or

• in writing to Tom Lewis at Johnson Poole & Bloomer, 50 Speirs Wharf, Glasgow, G4 9TH

Following the online consultation event any further questions can be answered by contacting Tom Lewis on 0141 3311456.

All comments must be received no later than Tuesday 13th April 2021.

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​All comments received will be considered in the preparation of the final proposals and a formal planning application will be submitted in due course. 

Please note, comments made to the prospective applicant do not constitute representations to the Planning Authority.  The opportunity to make representations to Dumfries and Galloway Council will be available following formal submission of the planning application.