Lea Castle Farm Quarry plan to be 're-determined'

Applicants NRS Aggregates previously appealed against Worcestershire County Council’s decision to reject its plan for the quarry at Lea Castle Farm off Wolverley Road, near Kidderminster.

A public inquiry was held last year and a decision made by an inspector to throw out the quarry proposal was quashed by the High Court following a judicial review.

Now the court has ordered that the appeal be "re-determined."

The Stop Lea Castle Farm Quarry action group was set up to oppose the plans, with campaigners raising concerns over the destruction of the “beautiful unspoilt countryside,” noise pollution, and widespread exposure to harmful mineral dust.

NRS Aggregates says materials from the quarry will supply much-needed aggregates to maintain local roads and build new housing.

Mike Lord, from the Stop Lea Castle Quarry group, said: "The fight's still on - we're not giving up. We've won at every stage so far".

"Anything that has been already produced and submitted to the last inquiry is carried forward to the next one.

"We have a deadline of 14th March to respond but as of now no date for an inquiry.

"In the meantime we are getting legal advice again from our barrister and I am afraid that we do need to ask for any contributions people feel they can make".

Wyre Forest MP Mark Garnier has also raised objections to the plans.

He said: "Essentially it takes us back to square 2 – the appeal against the original planning decision.

"What is slightly interesting is that one of the reasons the judicial review threw out the inspector's decision was because he made a decision that took into account a law coming in 6 months later.

"It was fair that they should not take into account future things, but, of course, now we are nearly a year later, that law is now current.

"This is something that has unified the community and we must do everything we can to stop this unwelcome development".

NRS Aggregates have been contacted for comment.