Minute of Meeting with Ashcourt Group

Friday, 1^st May 2026

Present: Christine Brown SVRA Committee

Deborah Gallagher SVRA Committee

Pauline Cooper SVRA Committee

Lynne McKevitt Resident

Ian Lowes Resident

Ryan Molloy Development and Environmental Director,  Ashcourt Group

Katie Wood Planning Consultant, Ashcourt Group

John Brischuk Site Manager, Ashcourt Group

Elliot Virgo Regional Manager, Ashcourt Group

Ross Lee Recycling Manager, Ashcourt Group

The visit comprised a walk around the quarry site. The large group split into various small groups during this walk. The site was mostly inactive due  to staff sickness and broken machinery. Ashcourt staff reported that the Environment Agency and the Council had visited the site in the last week and were happy with what had been done to date. They also said they were keen to engage with local residents so they would contact the quarry with issues rather than go directly to the Environment Agency or the Council.

Issues discussed with Ashcourt Group included:

1. Plans for the site including laying concrete roads which should reduce the dust caused by lorries driving over the current gravel and soil roads. This has already commenced. This will mean a big increase in traffic going directly behind residential housing. Speed cameras are to be installed to ensure staff keep to the 10 mph speed limit.

2. Stockpile of soil near buildings. Plans for this included the mound being grassed to reduce dust and it just being reduced. All Ashcourt staff agreed it will take a long time to deal with.

3. Blue Concrete Towers. Katie initially said they were temporary to produce the concrete needed for the roads then said they would like them to be permanent. When asked about planning permission Katie said as they could be removed they were considered temporary and did not need planning permission. They confirmed the intention is for it to remain and be a concrete provider to wider sources.  

4. Volume of material coming to and from the site. Again this varied with who was asked the question and was confusing. 40,000 tonnes from the flyover was mentioned. This will take about 6 months. 5,000 tonnes are taken out of the site each week. They said they had reduced the amount of material on site. Much of the material on site is not considered to be suitable for recycling but said it would take a long time to deal with and remove it. No timescales were given.

5. Road Cleaning. A new road sweeper has been bought for the quarry and constantly loops around the quarry and out into the road and back again. The wheelwasher is located some distance from the exit and lorries have to drive across mud and debris to exit after being cleaned.

6. The Bunds. Ashcourt said that the Health and Safety Executive insist they have the bunds. It was pointed out that the maps in Council reports show that the bunds should be no higher than the Bowes platform, they again appeared not to know about this. Full lorries were observed leaving the site without being covered.

7. Crushers. These have sprayers on top but are not enclosed. When told that the Council’s operating conditions specified they should be covered Ashcourt staff said they did not know about this.  When shown a copy of the Council report Katie asked to be given a copy.  Ashcourt Group also said the crushers had to be raised to a higher level as the bottom of the quarry was below the waterline.

8. Hazardous Materials. Ashcourt Group said that new materials were tested. When asked if the test results were public, they said they were only sent to contractors. When asked about testing of old material that has been on site for a long time they said that was not tested.

9. Noise Issue. This was raised several times and were asked if it would be possible to allocate quieter tasks to workers before eg 8am. Ashcourt Group staff  said  they are allowed to work from 7am. 

10. Soil Processing Plant. This compacts the soil, reducing the volume, leaving clay residue which was said to be worthless. This is sited close to a pond. 

11.  An invitation to attend the SVRA Residents meeting on 12^th May at 6.30pm was given verbally.