M1 Quarry Proposal Appeal to be Heard by Planning Inspector

A proposal to transform 38 hectares of land adjacent to a village into a quarry will be reviewed by the planning inspectorate, following an appeal by developers against a council’s decision to reject the plan. Mick George Ltd had intended to utilize a site located just off junction 16 of the M1 in Northamptonshire for the extraction of sand and gravel over a period of six years. An estimated 1.15 million tonnes of material was projected to be processed on-site near Upper Heyford during this duration. Earlier this year, West Northamptonshire Council denied permission for the project, despite planning officers having recommended its approval. The Local Democracy Reporting Service reported that the council’s vote against the development was a split decision, with “six to five” members opposing it, after 67 objections were submitted. The concerns raised included noise, impacts on local amenities, air pollution from dust, and potential health risks. The planning inspectorate has not yet announced a date for its decision.