Purbeck limestone quarry given 20 year licence extension
It's thought the approval will save jobs at the Swanworth site
A Purbeck limestone quarry has been given permission to carry on extractions for the next 20 years.
Dorset Council's approved an application for the Swanworth site at Worth Matravers.
The authority was told during a meeting yesterday (Monday 21st November) that up to 30 jobs could have been lost at the quarry, if the permission hadn't been granted.
A 14 hectare extension of their extraction area, which includes retaining the existing processing plant, will not result in any additional lorry movements.
But it would mean 2.4 million tonnes of limestone can be extracted at the rate of 125,000 tonnes a year, over 20 years.
The application includes the construction of a five-metre tall bridge across Coombe Bottom and the Purbeck Way path to access the extended site.
The plans attracted more than 100 letters of support, including from Corfe Castle Parish Council, with 70 against.
During the meeting, ward councillor Cherry Brooks told the strategic planning meeting that the company had a 'history of being community-minded' and had 'come up with a detailed plan to restore the existing quarry'.
A £340,000 fund has also been set up by the company to support nearby environmental projects.
Work's expected to get underway on the new bridge in the New Year, and could take six months to construct.
Operations director, John Suttle said:
“We are acutely aware of the duty we have as custodians of the landscape.”
He told councillors that the extension was vital to secure the future of the business and local jobs, bringing £7m annually into the Purbeck economy.
Objections to the extension raised concerns about the quarry being intrusive to the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty over a longer period and could add to the risks of road accidents and pollution.