80% of the total quarry allocation & unrestored quarries are in our area – and that includes landfill waste. We do not want any quarries on Ellenbrook Fields.
Update June 2025:
The inspector has asked for updated Conditions: download
Update January 2025:
Deed of Variation 20th December 2024: download
HCC Section 106 Deed of Agreement 20th December 2024: download
Appelant note – Benefits of revised Agreement: download
Update 20 December 2024:
In view of the National Planning Policy Framework update above, the date of adjournment referred to below in respect of conditions clarification and the draft variation to the 2000 legal agreement, has been extended to Tuesday, 7 January 2025.
The Inspector has received and assessed the observations on the draft conditions that were published by the Council on November 29 2024. He has a small number of matters concerning the responses.
He will be writing to the effected parties for further clarification. He will not be reconvening the Inquiry on 4 December but will adjourn until Monday 16 December 2024 to provide time for the condition clarification and the receipt of the agreed draft variation to the 2000 legal agreement. If appropriate, any consultation on the revised legal agreement will take place during this time. The Inspector is not anticipating reconvening the Inquiry either in person or virtually, unless unforeseen circumstances arise. In responding to any correspondence from the Inspector, parties to the Inquiry should restrict their observations to the questions posed by the Inspector and not submit evidence about other matters. Any new evidence that has not been specifically requested by the Inspector will be returned.
Hatfield Aerodrome Planning Appeal – Gateley
APPEAL REF: APP/M1900/W/24/3346607
Land at the former Hatfield Aerodrome
Hertfordshire County Council Development Control Committee met on Tuesday 24th September and heard speakers from resident’s associations. At part 2 (closed to the public) legal evidence was presented to the committee that legal costs will be awarded against HCC. HCC will not be giving evidence or witnesses at the Inquiry but will attend. All other Councils and “Rule 6” Parties have withdrawn because of the threat of legal action. There still may be an opportunity for residents to speak and put forward their views.
Media:
Webcast
Reasons for refusal withdrawn ahead of quarry inquiry, WHT link:
Reasons for refusal withdrawn ahead of quarry inquiry | Welwyn Hatfield Times (whtimes.co.uk)
Hertfordshire Council, Development Control Committee webcast 24th September 2024:
MP Andrew Lewin speaks out ahead of Ellenbrook Quarry inquiry
A committee that turned down plans for a quarry on the site of the former Hatfield Aerodrome is to be presented with the latest ‘legal advice’ received by the county council – just weeks before the decision is due to be challenged at a Planning Inquiry.
Hatfield aerodrome quarry inquiry to be discussed by council | Welwyn Hatfield Times (whtimes.co.uk)
Hatfield Aerodrome campaigners respond to council’s inquiry withdrawal
Reasons:
A loss of 87 hectares of Green belt. “The proposal represents inappropriate development in the Green Belt and would not protect the countryside from encroachment….” reason 1
25 years of Biodiversity is destroyed. “The proposal would not sufficiently minimise the impacts of the development or provide for adequate net gain within an appropriate timescale contrary to National Planning Policy Framework paragraph 174d. Further the development would result in significant harm and is not adequately mitigated contrary to paragraph 180 a). The proposal would be likely to result in loss of or damage to habitats or species contrary to policy 9 of the Hertfordshire Minerals Local Plan Review 2002-2016 Adopted March 2007. reason 5
Heritage The proposals do not adequately consider the setting of the heritage asset, Popefield farmhouse and barns (Grade II listed)….” reason 2
Landscape Character and visual amenity “The proposals by reason of their size and scale, the extent and long term siting of screening and perimeter bunds, and the extensive removal of roadside vegetation to create visibility splays for the new access (A1057) would be harmful to landscape character and the visual amenities of the area ” reason 4
After any quarry the land is sterilized by removal of minerals, it then becomes available for Future Development
Loss of Ellenbrook Country Park and open space for 40 years
Green Belt download
Air quality download video
Air quality download
Noise download
Traffic The additional HGV movements associated with the proposed development would have an adverse impact on the character and amenity of the local area.
Disturbing nearby Bromate Contamination. “The proposals do not demonstrate that the existing hydrogeological flow regime would not be adversely affected during mineral workings, and that the risks to groundwater from disturbance of the bromate plume can be adequately managed and mitigated ….” reason 8 download
Increase Flooding risk downstream due to soil stripping and increased runoff. download 1
Poor quality of sand and gravel in the East of quarry site. This is due to the geographical nature of the land.
Preventing normal Public Access. The proposals for public access to Ellenbrook Fields, contained within the Public Access Strategy (July 2023) do not demonstrate that users of the Park would be adequately protected over the duration of mineral workings.
Legal implications to start up a quarry on land promised as a park under a S106 agreement pending the formation of the 125 year Trust
We hope that Restoration is not as poor as the other quarries. download
Cumulative quarries in our area: Cemex’s Hatfield quarry, Furze Field (active to 2027), Land adjoining Coopers Lane Stanborough (starting after 2027). Tarmac’s Tyttenhanger quarry (active)
more downloads:
Brett response: Public Access Strategy………………………………………… download
Technical Memorandum restoration-drainage…………. download
Health impact assessment HIA……………………………………………. download
In response to HCC Regulation 25 request, documents can be viewed on HCC website………………… download
Planning Register | Hertfordshire County Council
Hatfield……………… download
80% of the total quarry allocation & unrestored quarries are in our area – and that includes landfill……………… download
Drainage response final:…………………… download
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