Green light for Gallows Hill

SUFFOLK County Council has resolved to grant planning permission to Lafarge Aggregates for the extraction of just over 1 million tonnes of sand and gravel over a 10-year period from 18.6ha of agricultural land at Gallows Hill, near Needham Market. The resolution will allow Lafarge to replace their existing reserves at Darmsden Hall Quarry, which currently supplies the company’s Broomfield Depot at Barham.

After a public exhibition in February 2002, the company reviewed and modified their proposed operations to reflect the values and requirements of the local community. The overall restoration objectives for the site, which lies within the Gipping Valley Special Landscape Area, have been developed in conjunction with Suffolk Wildlife Trust. They include restoration to a mix of dry grass and fen meadows, reed beds and ditches, to create a new nature reserve. Habitats of specific benefit to water voles and otters will also be developed.

Commenting on the decision, Stuart Anderson, Lafarge Aggregates’ senior planning and estates manager, said: ‘This resolution to grant permission will allow us to not only continue to service existing local markets and maintain employment, but also to satisfy local amenity requirements and provide an enhanced restoration landscape.’