Residents near the cluster of stone quarries in Temple Guiting, North Cotswolds, have long expressed concerns about the effects of quarrying on their daily lives. Many villagers report that the dust generated by quarry operations is so pervasive they avoid opening their windows, fearing its impact on their health and comfort.
Conservative Councillor Tom Bradley addressed these worries at a recent council meeting on May 13, seeking clarity on what assessments have been conducted regarding the cumulative effects quarrying has on highways, local communities, loss of amenity, and public health.
“I’d appreciate an update following discussions with officers on how we plan to measure the cumulative impacts going forward,” he stated, emphasizing the need for comprehensive evaluation.
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Liberal Democrat Councillor Martin Horwood, who previously held the cabinet portfolio related to minerals and waste, confirmed that the cumulative impact is being examined within the framework of the minerals waste local plan and is factored into planning decisions on individual quarry applications.
He highlighted that Cheltenham has limited quarrying activities, contrasting it with his own ward, Leckhampton, where quarrying once dramatically shaped the landscape. “Leckhampton Hill was once an industrial area with tramways, inclines, and quarries,” Horwood noted, acknowledging that the rural quarry impacts in North Cotswolds present different challenges.
Horwood further assured that the council’s cabinet has been briefed on developing a new minerals and waste local plan designed to better manage extraction activities like sand, gravel, and stone quarrying. The plan aims to include thorough member and public engagement and will be presented to the full council in due course.
As quarrying continues, community anxiety remains high, underscoring the need for ongoing dialogue and effective measures to mitigate environmental and health impacts.