FAQs
How will your proposals affect the traffic in the area?
AnswerHills propose a suitable ‘routeing’ for vehicles with the planning application and site traffic will be restricted from entering or leaving the site during peak traffic hours. The proposed routes will avoid unsuitable roads such as Clifton Hampden bridge and Culham bridge. Driver disciplinary procedures operate where routeing agreements are broken.
The proposed levels of traffic from the development average less than 8 movements per hour. Hills uses a GPS and transport logistic system to ensure that vehicles avoid busy traffic times or periods of congestion. The system allows continuous monitoring of traffic conditions such that if any accidents or road works arise the site traffic can be suitably planned to avoid such incidents.
HGVs will access the site from a newly dedicated access which will connect the land to Abingdon Road and will be constructed to full highway standards.
Is there potential for increased flooding?
AnswerWill the quarry be an ‘eyesore’ on the landscape?
AnswerWill this quarry create greater levels of noise and dust?
AnswerWe have taken sound readings in the local area that show that generally the background noise levels are higher than the expected noise of the machinery. In some locations the background noise is lower and we are looking at ways to mitigate against site noise such as using conveyors rather than trucks and locating equipment in the quarry void created whilst excavating the site area. We use a loading shovel to dig the sand and gravel – there will be no blasting on this site. Planning Permission will include noise limits and Hills will undertake monitoring to ensure these are met.
The quarry operations have been designed to prevent dust arising as far as possible and by trying to keep vehicle movements to a minimum which is the biggest generator of dust. To help this, the sand and gravel will be transported across the site by conveyors rather than trucks. In the plant area we will keep roadways clean and in when conditions require it we sometimes use water sprays. The surrounding vegetation, additional landscape planting and bunding will further help reduce the dust.
Will the value of my property be affected by your plans?
AnswerWhat impact will there be on users of local facilities – shop, Post Office, campsite, pubs?
AnswerOur proposal provides up to 15 new local jobs and will also provide work for other associated businesses.
What impact will the quarry have on public rights of way and the Thames Path?
AnswerThe footpath crossing the site will be diverted for safety reasons. The diversion will ensure that the footpath can always be kept open and it will be securely fenced from operational areas of the quarry. Additional footpaths will be added during the restoration phases.
What impact will the quarry have on river users – anglers, canoeists, swimmers, boaters, holiday-makers?
AnswerOnce the site is fully restored, the aim is to provide an area complementing the environment of the River Thames, providing new footpath routes and allowing access to two new lakes for quiet leisure uses such as fishing and sailing.
Will wildlife, ecology and nature be impacted?
AnswerWhat about existing archaeology on the site?
AnswerThe findings of the extensive field investigations of the archaeology survey will be included in the Environmental Statement that will accompany our planning application. We have taken account of the Scheduled Monument Round Barrow Cemetery at Fullamoor Plantation and adjusted our working plan to ensure it is not disturbed.
We will work with Thames Valley Archaeological Services, who will conduct archaeological investigations in each bit of the site to be quarried before we extract any material from that area. We hope to hold ‘public dig days’ when members of the public will be welcome to visit the archaeological investigations undertaken.
We would like to put up an information board as part of the restoration works which would explain the archaeological background to the area.
We listened to your concerns
We took on board feedback that many local stakeholders and organisations
gave during our consultation and substantially altered our proposal
to address concerns raised. This is what we changed:
Your concerns | Our actions |
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Extent of the site |
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Impact on traffic |
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Archaeology |
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Flood risk |
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Waste |
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Noise, dust and visual |
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Quarry name |
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After use |
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