September fixed for Cemex Wickwar inquiry

The bun fight between Cemex and South Gloucestershire Council over extending operating hours of the Mexican cement giant’s coating plant at Wickwar Quarry could be resolved at a 30 September public inquiry.

Council planning committee members refused Cemex’s application last October to have the coating plant running 24/7 all year in order to supply nighttime projects. It would adversely effect residents, the committee ruled.

Cemex is permitted to run the coating plant from 3.30am to 7.00pm Monday to Friday and to 12.00am on Saturdays. After the council decision, reports the plant was being operated beyond its permitted hours led to an enforcement notice.

In November Cemex launched an appeal against the decision and the enforcement notice. However, Cemex has also submitted a revised application for the coating plant, to allow it to run the operation 24/7 for 60 days of the year rather than 365.

A council planning officer told MQR today that this would reach committee on 26 June.