Deal means Airfield Quarry is set for take off

Hills Quarry Products and Urban&Civic enter into long-term sand and gravel extraction agreement 

HILLS Quarry Products have continued their mineral partnership with Urban&Civic – entering into a long-term agreement for sand and gravel extraction at the former RAF airfield site near Down Ampney, Gloucestershire.

The agreement for the 178ha Airfield Quarry site with reserves of around 6.5 million tonnes of sand and gravel, will create around 50 jobs directly, plus generate work for other local businesses, and inject up to £2 million per year into the local economy. The site will include an aggregate processing plant, a concrete plant and a bagging operation with the associated infrastructure of silt lagoons, offices, welfare facilities, wheel wash, and weighbridge.

Peter Andrew, development consultant for Hills Quarry Products, said: ‘We are delighted to have secured an agreement on the Airfield Quarry site. It has taken a tremendous team effort between Hills and Urban&Civic to get to this stage – and we do not underestimate our responsibility, having been entrusted with the management and restoration of this important historical site through the phased extraction of essential minerals.

‘I would like to extend my thanks to Lesley Loane and the team at Land and Mineral Management whose help has been invaluable throughout the planning process. In line with the planning permission, we can now commence the first steps on site, with the continuation of archaeological surveys, followed by the installation of site infrastructure and plant later in the year.’

Adam Pratt, development director at Urban&Civic, commented: ‘Down Ampney continues to make a significant contribution to the resilience of Gloucestershire and Wiltshire’s mineral supplies. The Airfield is the next phase of extraction on the estate, and we are delighted to be extending Urban&Civic’s working partnership with Hills.’