Northumberland Council Approves Controversial Quarry Plans

Northumberland County Council has approved a controversial quarry project near Kirkwhelpington, despite receiving 175 letters of objection, including support from local actor Greg Wise. The quarry, planned to extract dolerite over 20 years, is expected to create 20 permanent jobs but has raised concerns regarding noise, dust, and traffic from heavy vehicles. Similarly, a new sand and gravel quarry proposal near Misterton in Leicestershire has been submitted by Tarmac Ltd, aiming to replace Shawell Quarry, which is nearing exhaustion. This new site would span 275 acres and could extract around 400,000 tonnes annually, generating concerns over environmental impact and increased heavy vehicle traffic. Local MP Alberto Costa has expressed worries about the potential destruction of green land and congestion caused by the quarry operations. Both projects highlight the ongoing tension between economic development and environmental preservation in rural areas.