SITE operators S. Walsh and Sons have given Thurrock Council detailed reasons why they would like to be granted a short extension to the operating life of the quarry and landfill site they operate in East Tilbury.

The site off Princess Margaret Road close to the old East Tilbury village should have been closed down, with restoration work completed by March this year but the company says adverse weather and Covid-19 meant that this was not possible.

Consequently a formal application has now been submitted, asking for an extension of operations until the end of August this year - with restoration and landscaping of the site completed in accordance with the agreed details on or before 31 December 2021.

The application states: "The application has been submitted as it has not been possible to complete the restoration of the site within the timescales originally envisaged.

"This situation has arisen as a consequence of two exceptionally wet winters during 2019-2020 and again during 2020-2021 coupled with the recent Covid-19 pandemic.

"The exceptionally wet weather during winter 2019-2020 impacted operations for a number of months as it was not possible for landfilling to take place due to poor ground conditions and waterlogging within the site.

"This deferred landfilling and restoration activities until Spring 2020, however the Covid-19 pandemic severely impacted operations as many construction projects were halted.

"This resulted in a sharp decline in the availability of inert waste for use within the restoration, meaning that the applicant had to close the Site for approximately one month during Spring 2020 as it was simply not financially viable for them to remain trading during this period.

"Once the site reopened, trading levels remained well below normal due to hesitancy within the construction industry as a result of the uncertainty brought about by the pandemic. The pandemic also fundamentally altered the applicant's working practices, with social distancing measures and a reduced workforce employed on site.

"This has contributed in a reduced capacity to undertake the restoration works required and a second exceptionally wet winter period during 2020- 2021 has meant that it is now impossible for the Applicant to meet the original restoration deadline.

"To ensure that the restoration can be completed to a satisfactory standard in accordance with the restoration objectives set out within the planning permission the applicant is seeking a short extension of time.

"It is proposed that the importation of inert waste will continue until the end of August 2021, with restoration to be completed by the end of December 2021, after which the site shall enter into aftercare."

Full details of the application can be found via this link