Bedfordshire is looking for new sites to quarry for gravel. Several sites had some potential for exploration including the fields to the east of Cople. A public consultation was held in 2007 to review all of these sites. The first results from these were published on the 18th September 2007.
Minerals Site Allocations Preferred Options (1) is the new draft of the Minerals Site Allocations Preferred Options and will be available within the following dates:
Consultation dates: 18/09/2007 to 01/11/2007
Viewing dates: 18/09/2007 to 31/12/2012
As far as I can see the relevent section dealing with the Cople sites is shown below. To me this sounds like they are recommending that the Cople sites are not suitable.
If you agree with this "rejection" please go to this page, scroll down to question 17 and respond with your agreement to the rejection.
(MD31, MD32, MD33, MD34, MD35, MD39, MD47)
Sustainability Appraisal
8.30 The SA noted the presence of Best and Most Versatile Land (Grades 1 and 2), together with the proximity to residences at Willington and Cople, and difficulties with transport access. There would be potential for landscape and ecological improvements in the longer term.
Consultation responses
8.31 There was strong objection from local communities on the grounds of proximity to residences and the resultant disturbance. This would be an unacceptable cumulative impact with respect to existing operations. There are also severe difficulties with transport access and intensification of HGV use on the A603. There is a known Roman settlement in this area, which is a highly significant archaeological resource.
Commentary
8.32 We consider that there are particular difficulties associated with the cluster of sites south of Willington / Cople. Three sites in the area have already been selected from tier 2 of the sequential test. If the cluster of sites south of Willington / Cople were also identified, this would result in simultaneous mineral working on both sides of the villages, effectively doubling the intensity of mineral working in the area. The southern cluster would also bring mineral working much closer to the villages, and would have a much greater impact than the northern sites, given that the land to the south is open and unscreened. Further, whilst a technically acceptable highways access could perhaps be established on to the A603, the resulting HGV traffic would have an unacceptable amenity impact, being additional to the traffic from the northern sites (and also a more general increase in HGV traffic). On this basis, we do not think that the cluster of sites south of Willington / Cople should be identified.
8.33 Summary: MD31, MD32, MD33, MD44, MD35, MD39, MD47 Rejected.