Say No To The Quarry
Hornchurch, Upminster, Cranham, Rainham, Elm Park and Dagenham
The proposed location for the new quarry from Brett Aggregates will be on the land around Hacton Meadows. This borders residential areas and a nature reserve. Brett have secured the land and will conduct tests and apply for planning permission with Havering Council.
On this page we set out six key areas of concern we wish to raise. We wish these points to be positively addressed in any planning application, or review in the future. With your help and donations, we will work to ensure research is undertaken and that the process is challenged vigorously with legal support.
Our Concerns
We have 6 areas of concern relating to the anticipated planning application from Brett Aggregates for a new quarry.
Health Risk - Airborne Particulate Matter (PM10)
Particulate Matter (PM10) includes airborne silicate dust particles, released during sand extraction in a quarry. The particles are so small that they effectively act as a gas. When breathed in they penetrate deep into the lungs.
Exposure to high concentrations over a prolonged period of time, such as living close to the source of PM10 pollution, may result in a number of health impacts.
These include milder, but still potentially dangerous ailments, such as asthma and bronchitis. But they may also contribute to, or potentially cause, high blood pressure, heart attack, strokes and premature death.
The young, the elderly, as well as persons with existing underlying medical conditions, such as respiratory problems Are more likely to be adversely affected by exposure to high PM10 concentrations over time.
When large scale mining, quarries and landfill were set up in earlier decades, there was less awareness and evidence of the potential long term problems relating to silicosis from PH10 exposure. We are concerned residential areas, nursing homes, retirement communities and schools are all within such close proximity to the planned site.
Ignorance is not a defence for commercial operations who put the local population at risk. Particularly when those who are most vulnerable are the elderly or young.
Simple screens are not sufficient to fully prevent microscopic particles being blown over the residential areas in the local area during the life of a quarry.
Road Traffic Safety
The proposed site is surrounded by narrow country lanes on all sides.
There isn't a sufficient width for 2 vans, HGV's, horse boxes, to drive past each other, travelling in opposite directions, around the hair pin bends in the area
While Brett Aggregates will only let their HGV trucks travel in one direction of a circuit, so they can't encounter one of their own trucks coming the other way. This doesn't account for the width of large SUV's, Transit Vans and other Light Commercial Vehicles that also use the public roads.
There is little or no existing pedestrian paving, no cycle lanes, street lighting, or traffic lights to control the flow of traffic. Even when approaching the blind junctions, or approaches to the hairpin bends in the area.
Havering averages around 700 traffic accidents involving injury each year. The roads in Upminster Ward are the deadliest in Havering, with 12 deaths in the last 5 years.
The adjoining narrow lanes at the proposed site either lead to busy residential areas, or quiet nature reserve areas.
The lanes connect this area to Hornchurch, Hacton, Upminster and Rainham, which surround the proposed new quarry site. These immediately surrounding roads include accident black spots. Where fatalities, or multiple serious injuries, have been recorded in traffic accidents over the last few years.
Brett propose to use 96 HGV vehicles continuously during their work hours in this area. With one truckload leaving the quarry every five minutes. No upgrade to the road network, traffic monitoring, or safety is currently planned.
Homes and Businesses Blighted, Due To Proximity
Families, their homes and businesses operating in the immediate area near a quarry may potentially be impacted in a number of ways.
The closer your home or business is to a quarry, the more likely you are to experience some degree of negative impact. But the scale of this impact is not certain.
In the case of property ownership. It is striking how close to both established and new build development the proposed quarry site is. It is actually shocking, with some homes less than 300 metres away.
One of the biggest immediate challenges for existing home owners is the uncertainty and stress that the threat of a new quarry raises. Particularly when located close by.
There are potential financial impacts too, if the quarry is so close that it acts as a deterrent to buyers or renters of property in the area. Potentially impacting any future sale in the next 20 years, as well as price depreciation.
It's understood that supplying sand and gravel for Greater London, is important. It helps achieve the home building target and supply concrete for other construction.
We need to plan for this need sensibly and with the minimum of risk and disruption for residents and businesses. Locating quarries a sufficient distance away from immediate close proximity to existing housing, or currently planned development.
Mind, the mental health charity, advise anyone finding anything is upsetting them may benefit from contacting The Samaritans; 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Simply call 116 123. It's free from any phone.
Sharing your concerns with family, friends and neighbours may also help some of us.
Our No Quarry social media (Facebook, Twitter) will also allow you to at least feel part of a community experiencing much of the same concerns as each other during this period of uncertainty. Simply join in the conversation.
We don't have all the answers, but we share the same questions and desire to look after our homes, businesses and community together.
Wildlife & The Environment
The farm that Brett Aggregates plan to build a new quarry on borders beautiful wetland wildlife park, connecting Gaynes Parkway to the Ingrebourne Valley, through the Hornchurch Country Park.
Rare and Protected Wildlife
There are several rare and protected species that forage in and around the surrounding area and make use of the habitat. The diversity is rich, the fragility of their environment concerning. Badgers, Bats, Deer and Water Voles, along with Great Crested Newts, Slow Worms and the Harvest Mouse have all been identified along the River and the immediately surrounding area.
62 types of bird, including rare and protected species are present too. Waders include Redshank and Lapwing. Hobby fly alongside Swifts. While Water Rail lurk among the reedbeds. Kingfishers and Little Egret are also present. The Sedge and Cetti's Warbler visit in warmer months, while throughout the winter Gadwall, Teal and Pochard Ducks are in residence at the wetland's marshes.
Relatively slight changes in this ecosystem impact whether these animals prosper or are lost to the area.
River And Water Related Environmental Concerns
The land in the area is prone to flooding, making the distance between the proposed quarry location and the River Ingrebourne perilously narrow and highly variable.
Recent storms, with associated run-off, accompany increasing environmental change. This has already started to affect the areas surrounding Gaynes Parkway, Hornchurch Country Park and the Ingrebourne Valley.
Any industrial run-off, such as liquid waste, from mining activity conducted only metres from the wildlife reserve may potentially be harmful to the environment in and around the river. Any potential for an impact on the water table is a related concern.
20 Years Of New Quarry Activity
A promise to return the land of Rainham Lodge Farm back to it's current state in 20 years time does not necessarily guarantee the protection of the environment and wildlife that border it during or after a quarry's active life .
Not only have quarries negatively impacted those who live near them, they often leave residual negative impacts on the environment and bio-diversity.
Runoff of chemical pollutants into bodies of water, loss of natural habitats, farmland, and vegetation, are among the harmful environmental impacts reported at other sites.
Please contact Essex Wildlife Trust, the RSPB, Havering Council and the Environment Agency should you wish to learn more details of the wildlife and the importance of maintaining this habitat.
Noise & Light Pollution
Brett wish the new quarry to operate from 7am until 6pm weekdays, plus additional hours at the weekend. Noise pollution relates to both the area around the proposed site from excavation machinery. But also their HGV trucks on the roads.
They also propose to use floodlights, which may impact residents and wildlife.
While some measures, such as acoustic barriers, may reduce the impact of this pollution. There will still be an impact and a worsening of the quality of life in our quiet suburban and rural neighbourhood.
Lack Of An Equitably Shared Responsibility For Supplying Building Material For London
Havering is one of only 4 London Boroughs the government have assigned as a supplier of quarried sand and gravel.
Havering has been supplying the majority of material from these 4 for many years.
After 60 years of quarry activity within a few miles or our community. Why should we accept a plan to continue this for a further 20 years? Particularly when the continuance is intended to take place much closer to our thriving suburban communities and beautiful nature reserve.
Havering doesn't have to be the mining capital of Greater London.
Say No To Future Health & Road Safety Problems
Say No To Future Damage To Our Environment & Community
Say No To The Quarry
We are residents, helping to protect fellow residents, schools, businesses and the environment in Havering.
Our Company is incorporated as No Quarry Ltd, registered number 14483120.
Our Registered Office is 3rd Floor, 207 Regent St, London W1B 3HH
No Quarry is a Not-for-Profit organisation, run by unpaid volunteers.
Photos owned by our supporters or creative commons/free image download services. Any questions, please contact our team at Info@NoQuarry.uk
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