Jobs boost as mining at Staffordshire quarries to continue for another 15 years
Mining at two quarries in Staffordshire will continue for another 15 years to support construction projects in the county, it has emerged.
Pottal Pool Quarry, located within Cannock Chase near Penkridge, and Saredon Quarry, between Cannock and Featherstone, will continue operating under the move by Staffordshire County Council.
Pottal Pool opened in the 1940s and is used by Hanson Aggregates. Saredon Quarry, which provides gravel and sand, is operated by Breedon Aggregates. A proposal to extend Saredon Quarry has also been approved.
Councillor Mike Lawrence, who represents Saredon on the county council, said: "I'm in favour of the principle of the local authority having a 15-year plan. We need quarries to give us jobs, houses and other buildings – and we desperately need infrastructure at the moment.
"It's taken us four years to get to this point. The plan includes guidelines to protect residents who may live near the sites."
The programme of future mining proposals for Staffordshire, which was approved by councillors, also includes opening up new sites in the county.
The aim of the plan is to provide the materials to support local construction projects over the next 15 years. The county already has around 50 quarries.
The plan was approved at a meeting of the county's full council following a two-year consultation with residents and businesses.
It will now be submitted to the Communities and Local Government Secretary and will also be examined by an independent inspector in the spring or early summer of next year. It is not believed any new sites are planned for south Staffordshire.
County councillor Mark Winnington said: "Having the plan will help us to balance demand from the industry for more quarries and the need to protect our communities and the environment.
"Having no plan would make it difficult to turn down planning applications for new quarries, and means there would be an effective free for all for the minerals industry to develop quarries anywhere across Staffordshire. We will continue to review the plan to make sure it takes account of changing circumstances so it continues to protect local communities, while providing certainty for the minerals industry."
Staffordshire's minerals sector contributes around £255 million to the local economy every year.
