Environment Assessments
Bankend Quarry
We are working with a team of specialists to carry out detailed environmental assessments on the proposed extension to Bankend Quarry. This helps us to ensure that our design considers and mitigates any potential impacts on our neighbours, the community, and the wider local environment. It also helps us to establish a benchmark for future monitoring and compliance at the site.
We have also carried out extensive ecological studies to monitor habitats and species over the last couple of years and have used visual modelling to assess potential views of the new area. We have also started work on noise and dust.
Landscape and Visual Impacts
The extension area may be more visible to local neighbours and residents from some viewpoints around the quarry. As part of our full Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment, we used 3D modelling to examine all possible views of the quarry from nearby properties and key viewpoints to understand how best to plan the proposed expansion in a way that minimises impacts.
The plans have been designed accordingly. This modelling will be available to view as part of the planning application.
Ecology and Biodiversity
Ecologists have carried out a thorough Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA) to assess any potential impacts on flora and fauna. The report concludes that with ongoing mitigation measures and biodiversity enhancements, there should be no significant impacts to local habitats, plants, and wildlife.
The assessment found that there are no ecological designations directly affecting the development area. Though the Northern edge of the Muirkirk Uplands has a designation of SPA and SSSI which lies 2km to the South.
The proposed extension area is predominantly used as a 4x4 track, though various habitat types have been identified as woodland, scrubland and marshy grassland. These provide an interesting habitat for local wildlife such as amphibians, bats, badgers, otter, and various breeding birds.
Bats have been recorded roosting in Laigh Plewland Farmhouse. As it is planned for the house to be demolished, particular attention will be required to ensure appropriate mitigation is in place prior to demolition. This is being assessed as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment and if successful we will work with ecologists to implement any plans.
The ecological report recommends mitigation measures and biodiversity enhancements, and these will form part of the proposals within the planning application. Assuming successful implementation of the proposed mitigation measures, no significant impacts are anticipated with respect to local habitats, plants, and wildlife.
Air Quality (Dust)
The existing quarry at Bankend and Snabe operates without any significant impact in relation to dust or air quality. Our new proposals would see the same levels of production and extraction methods as in the current extraction area, and there would be no intensification of operations. We therefore do not anticipate an increase in dust. However, a detailed Dust Management Plan (DMP) will be produced that encompasses the extension and will be submitted as part of the planning application.
Noise and Vehicles
The noise levels created in the proposed extension area would be the same as the existing quarry operations, as production levels will be the same, using the same methods of extraction and processing equipment.
We have however undertaken a noise impact assessment which has confirmed current levels, and modelled levels from the new site including activities such as soil stripping, excavation, and vehicle and conveyor noise. The assessment discovered that the continued operation of the conveyor reduces a lot of the haulage vehicle noise from loading vehicles and local road transport which might otherwise be expected.
Hydrology and Hydrogeology
The Laigh Plewland site has water courses on two sides; the Glengavel water and the smaller Woollen Burn which feeds into it.
The proposed extension will operate at the same elevation as Bankend (i.e., not below groundwater level) and won’t directly interact with surface watercourses or groundwater. No additional hydrological impacts are expected but attention and care are needed to confirm this and ensure best practices through a full assessment which, when completed, will be included in the EIAR.
