AN application to create a new sand and gravel super quarry in East Thurrock has been rejected by Thurrock Council.

At a meeting of the authority's planning committee this evening (Tuesday, 24 February) seven out of nine planning councillors voted against the controversial proposal put forward by Ingrebourne Valley Ltd.

It is now more than six years since an application was made to expand an existing small but currently non-operational quarry (that has planning permission to run for 20 more years), into a huge one, with mineral extraction first and then filling with imported material over a number of years.

The scheme covers a large, triangular swathe of land between Linford, Orsett and Stanford-le-Hope. The main access will be via the already heavily congested Buckingham Road and Stanford Road.

Ingrebourne Valley Limited first submitted plans for Orsett Quarry, including the erection of processing plant and an infilling programme, in 2019 - sparking waves of local opposition.

That opposition was encapsulated by three local ward councillors, Neil Speight (Stanford West), Fraser Massey (East Tilbury) and Gary Byrne (Homesteads) who all spoke against the project tonight.

After lengthy debate and discussion and a presentation by Ingrebourne's Dan Walker, cllrs Russell Cherry, Jacqui Maney, Roy Jones, Lynda Heath, Aaron Green, Mike Fletcher and Cathy Sisterson all voted to refuse, despite a plea from planning chief Ashley Baldwin that they be 'minded to refuse' and defer the matter. Cllrs Tom Kelly and Sue Shinnick abstained.

Earlier officers had told members they wanted then to recommend approval, but no councillors were minded to make that proposal.

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Full report to follow.