The Regulatory - Planning Committee of Derbyshire Council met on Monday 14 July 2025, where they granted planning permission for a new haul road at Grange Mill Quarry. The committee also received updates on current enforcement actions, appeals and called-in applications, and matters determined under delegated powers.

Creation of a New Haul Road at Grange Mill Quarry

Planning permission was granted for the creation of a new external haul road at Grange Mill Quarry near Wirksworth. The application, submitted by Ben Bennett Jr Limited, proposed the haul road to extend quarrying operations outside the existing operational area. The decision was made subject to a set of conditions, substantially in the form detailed in the Executive Director's report.

The need for the new haul road was driven by significant safety concerns regarding the stability of the current internal haul road, which provides access to the upper benches of the south-eastern extension of the quarry. A Geotechnical Assessment highlighted the hazardous nature of the existing faces below the current haul route, advising that remedial works would not be sufficient and that replacing the haul road was a safety precaution. The applicant argued that no viable internal alternative route existed due to operational constraints and the need to access specialist high-purity limestone.

Concerns were raised by a member of the public regarding dust and noise pollution, visual impact, the need for the development, and the impact on public rights of way. The report addressed these concerns, concluding that with appropriate mitigation measures, the development would not result in unacceptable impacts on the landscape, environment, or local amenity. The Peak District National Park Authority and Derbyshire Dales District Council both raised no objections, noting that the proposed haul road would not have a harmful impact on the National Park's characteristics and would improve working conditions.

The committee was informed that the proposed haul road would be constructed using loose rock from the quarry, with a 5m width and a 2m high bund on the eastern side. Mitigation measures included the erection of a 1m high stone wall with planted hedgerow along the adjacent public bridleway (BW40). The development was considered sustainable and in accordance with national and local plan policies, including the National Planning Policy Framework and the Derby and Derbyshire Minerals Local Plan.

The decision to grant permission was made after members of the committee had visited the application site. The agent for the applicant emphasised the scheme's compliance with policies and the necessity of the haul road for continued operations, particularly in light of safety concerns. The committee noted that the current internal haul road posed health and safety issues and that the proposed external haul road offered a safer alternative.

Current Enforcement Action

The committee received a report detailing current enforcement actions. This included updates on cases at Lindrick, Mansfield Road, Corbriggs; Stancliffe Quarry; and land west of Park Farm, Woodland Road, Stanton. For Lindrick, the site was noted as inactive, with ongoing compliance monitoring for an Enforcement Notice. Stancliffe Quarry was also noted as inactive, with ongoing investigations and planning applications under consideration. At the land west of Park Farm, Stanton, an appeal against an enforcement notice had been upheld, and compliance monitoring was ongoing. A further report detailed enforcement and stop notices issued for land at Halldale Quarry and Lydford Road, Alfreton, with investigations and compliance monitoring continuing.

Current Appeals/Called In Applications

The committee noted the details of an appeal concerning the proposed construction and operation of the Swadlincote Resource Recovery Park (SRRP), which includes an Energy Recovery Facility (ERF) and Aggregate Recovery Facility (ARF). The appeal was proceeding via a Public Inquiry, with the inquiry opening date in April 2025 and a decision expected by the end of July 2025.

Matters Determined by the Executive Director - Place Under Delegated Powers

The committee was informed of various planning applications that had been approved by the Executive Director – Place under delegated powers. These decisions, detailed in the report, covered a range of matters including schemes required by planning conditions, retrospective planning applications, and requests for prior approval notifications.