Home / Environment / Quarry Plan Delayed: Wildlife Wins Respite
Quarry Plan Delayed: Wildlife Wins Respite
12 Feb
Summary
- Quarry expansion decision postponed due to administrative error.
- Wildlife charity Buglife opposes plans, citing rare species.
- Buckingham Hill Pit is a rewilded site with important invertebrate populations.
Thurrock Council has unexpectedly delayed a decision on plans to extend Orsett Quarry and fill the Buckingham Hill Pit Local Wildlife site. The postponement occurred because an administrative error resulted in notification letters being sent to incorrect addresses. Some residents did not receive the required notice before the scheduled planning committee meeting.
Wildlife charity Buglife, a long-time opponent of the expansion, welcomed the delay. They stated it provides councillors more time to thoroughly assess the ecological implications. Buckingham Hill Pit, which has naturally rewilded since the 1990s, is noted for supporting nationally important populations of rare invertebrate species.
The application, which aims to allow for the extraction of an estimated 1.5 million tonnes of gravel, is now slated for reconsideration on February 24. Environmental campaigners emphasize the importance of protecting the site's unique biodiversity from potential devastation.
