PLANS to turn a ‘dangerous’ quarry into a nature reserve are one step closer after an application was formally submitted to Barnsley Council but it’ll see around 80 HGVs visit the site every day to fill it with 680,000 tonnes of stones and soil.
Stairfoot Quarry, which is part of the sprawling former Yorkshire Brickworks plant, was a magnet for youngsters who would swim in the quarry during the hot weather.
It resulted in former owners Hanson UK and Heidelberg Materials erecting fencing around the Wombwell Lane site to increase safety and prevent access.
Signs warning youngsters of the under-surface dangers were also installed, while patrols were increased by South Yorkshire Police and Barnsley Council.
The quarry was last operational in 2003 but was bought by Green Earth Developments Group (GEDG) last year in a bid to re-purpose the site into a community asset.
Planning documents state that the quarry will be re-engineered.
The report states that almost 700,000 tonnes of materials would need to be brought to the site to ensure that the habitat bank could be created meaning on average 80 HGVs will pass around the already-busy Stairfoot roundabout every day.
It said: “The proposed development comprises the restoration of the site through the importation of non-hazardous soil materials, and the introduction of a new restoration scheme.
“The material that would be imported comprises excavated non-hazardous soils from development sites in the local area.
“It is estimated that circa 400,000m3 (680,000 tonnes) of non-hazardous soil materials would be imported over a period of 111 weeks.
“This would equate to circa 80 heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) on average per day.
“The use of residual construction, demolition, and excavation material (soil, stones, etc) to fill the quarry void represents the most sustainable approach, as there is little scope for this material type to be recycled or used in applications other than land grading.
“The pre-application response states that the proposal is to restore the site by landfill.
“The fact that this material may be imported to the site, disposed on the land and levelled to create an acceptable engineered landform, does not mean that the operation comprises landfilling.
“Rather, it is a form of engineering works that is classified as ‘recovery’.”
Plans initially included filling both the north quarry and the yew tree quarry but it has been confirmed that due to the sheer amount of imported material needed, only the latter will be worked on.
The application added that the overall feeling within the community is one of positivity.
It said: “The restoration of the site would provide a safe and attractive public space and offer the opportunity to generate significant biodiversity net gain (BNG) for the local area.
“GEDG has carried out initial community engagement in respect of the habitat bank and proposed development, they have established a community liaison group and host regular meetings to discuss the site and wider habitat bank.
“There is overwhelming support from the local community, Oakhill Primary School have confirmed their interest in the development of an outdoor classroom within the habitat bank.”
If plans are approved, the site will be managed for 30 years and has been described as a huge community asset.
The report said: “It has been designed to ensure that restored site provides the opportunity for improved public access and creates a long-term solution that is not incongruous with the local area.
“By removing the risk of trespassers accessing the site and drowning, it allows for a new restoration scheme to be designed that both improves the wider appearance of the area and allows for structured and functional public amenity.”
