New East Midlands quarry
"LAST month saw the official opening of Lafarge Aggregates’ Lockington Quarry adjacent to the M1 at junction 24 in Leicestershire. Situated near the village of Kegworth, the site is the result of a £1.2 million investment by the company."
"As well as supplying sand and gravel across the East Midlands, Lockington has a demolition waste recycling facility and a bagging plant for the supply of bagged materials to builders’ merchants and DIY stores. Lafarge also plan to set up a ready-mixed concrete plant at the site."
"Also located on site is an inert landfill operation which will allow the quarry to be progressively restored back to agricultural use and nature conservation, in line with Lafarge’s policy of sustainable development."
The site was originally identified as suitable for quarrying around 10 years ago as one of Leicestershire County Council’s preferred sites for mineral extraction. Planning permission was granted in December 1998 and work to prepare the site began in the summer of 2000.
"The planning consent is for around 3 million tonnes of sand and gravel, with other potential reserves available on adjoining land. It is anticipated that the quarry will be operation for about 14 years under the planning permission."
"Meanwhile, not far from Lockington, Lafarge Aggregates’ Hemington Quarry — the site of a rare archaeological find in 1999 when remains of a medieval mill were unearthed — is due to close next year but will continue to be restored to a series of lakes and meadows."
