Villagers on the warpath at quarry extension plan
6:00pm Tuesday 6th December 2011 in News
CAMPAIGNERS turned out in force to oppose plans to extend a village quarry and construct a recycling plant.
Fingringhoe features on two Essex County Council proposals suggesting extensions at the gravel quarry, with a recycling plant to handle building waste which would be brought in to fill the pits.
Yesterday, county officers hosted a drop-in information session at the village hall with the Colne Estuary Action Group, created last month to fight the plans.
Residents question how the waste is going to be transported to the two sites south of Church Road, and are worried the quarry workings would end up closer to community facilities, including the primary school and 25 grade I and II-listed buildings.
Other concerns include the feared impact on three local sites of special scientific interest, four local wildlife sites and Mersea’s oyster fisheries.
Jane Pennyfather, a Fingringhoe resident for 19 years, said: “I am horrified.
“This is going to have a knock-on effect. We live here because it is peaceful and quiet.
“People are concerned it won’t be like it is now. The village is waking up to this now.
“We want our kids to be able to walk to school.
“If they are going to bring waste in, how are they going to get it to the landfill? They say there will be no increased barge traffic, but I don’t see how they can say that.”
A campaign spokesman said the plans would destroy the quality of life in Fingringhoe, Wivenhoe and Rowhedge.
He claimed the current operators “have turned large parts of our countryside into a moonscape. If we allow these proposals to be realised, we will not have a village left to be proud of.”
The council’s consultation period runs until January 19.
To comment, log on to www.essex.gov.uk/WDD.consulta tion or for a copy of the response form, call 01245 435555.