Planning Inquiry to determine plans for quarry at Hatfield Aerodrome site
Controversial plans for the former Hatfield Aerodrome are to be determined by a public inquiry
Brett Aggregates want to extract up to eight million tonnes of sand and gravel from the site – between Smallford and Ellenbrook – over a 32 year period.
Their planning application was rejected by Hertfordshire County Council last September.
And in refusing the application, councillors pointed to a range of factors – including the impact it would have on the Green Belt, air quality and traffic, as well as the cumulative effect of quarrying in the area and the risk to the bromate plume.
But Brett Aggregates have appealed against the decision. And on Tuesday (November 16) the Planning Inspectorate will begin a public inquiry.
That hybrid inquiry – to be held at the Fielder Centre, in Hatfield and online – is expected to last for eight days.
And after hearing evidence from the applicant, the county council, objectors and any other interested parties, the Planning Inspector will determine whether, or not, the application should go ahead.
The application includes a new access onto the A1057, an aggregate processing plant, a concrete batching plant and other ‘supporting facilities’.
And in addition to the excavation, inert materials – typically comprising of construction and engineering waste – would be imported to the site in order to restore the land.
In advance of the inquiry a spokesperson for Brett Aggregates said that the site had been part of the county council’s minerals local plan since 2007.
And he suggested that the site would be a good source of sand and gravel for the redevelopment of Hatfield town centre.
“Quarrying would take place in phases, allowing most of the area to remain open to the public,” he said.
“The land would be restored to enhance biodiversity and ultimately create a new country park for people to enjoy.
“Comments from our public consultation have been taken on board and we have made a number of concessions to address concerns.”
Members of the public can attend the hybrid inquiry subject to the discretion of the Planning Inspector.