Reprieve for Cornish dunes

HANSON Aggregates have agreed to give up their rights to dig sand from the high dunes at Gwithian, near St Ives, in Cornwall, after hearing local concerns about the environmental effects of further sand quarrying in the high dune area.

Tony Kujawa, Hanson's operations director for the south, said: 'This is a major concession on our part and will effectively preserve the high dune area from any further extraction. I appreciate the sensitivity of this site and have listened carefully to the arguments put forward by local people to protect the remaining dune sand.'

He said the company would concentrate their activities on the lower-lying areas of the site, creating diverse lagoons and restoring the remaining land to the highest possible standards.

Welcoming Hanson's decision, Ken Taylor, secretary of the Gwithian Residents Association, said: 'Further extraction in the high dunes has been the prime concern for those who know and love this area and it is immensely reassuring to know that what remains will be preserved and restored for future generations to enjoy.'

Hanson have also said they will be reviewing their data and taking advice from the Environment Agency on the potential effects of continued quarrying in the fore-dunes area close to the shoreline.

Hanson's revised proposals for Gwithian will be submitted to Cornwall County Council as part of a wide-ranging review of their existing planning permission. The review covers details of how the site will be worked and restored and includes a full environmental impact statement.