Raymond Brown win approval for new Dorset quarry
Company secures planning consent to extract 600,000 tonnes of sand and gravel annually at Hurst Farm Quarry
RAYMOND Brown Quarry Products have been granted planning permission for a major new sand and gravel quarry at Hurst Farm, near Moreton, Dorset – a site estimated to contain more than 11.5 million tonnes of reserves.
Allocated in the Dorset Minerals Local Plan, the Hurst Farm project has been in development for over two years, following its original nomination as a potential extraction site in 2014 and inclusion in the Dorset Mineral Sites Plan in 2019.
The new quarry will make a substantial contribution to Dorset’s mineral landbank, accounting for around 36% of the county’s allocated sand and gravel resources for the 2019–2034 plan period. The deposit comprises soft sand, sharp sand and gravel, with soft sand forming the majority.
Extraction is forecast at 600,000 tonnes annually over 20 years, followed by a five-year phased restoration programme designed to deliver agricultural, ecological, hydrological and environmental benefits, alongside new amenity and recreation opportunities. The planning consent also covers on-site ready-mixed concrete and bagging facilities.
Raymond Brown, who have operated in the region for more than 75 years and currently run quarries in Dorset, Hampshire and Wiltshire, emphasized their long-standing commitment to responsible operations. The business is recognized with 16 consecutive RoSPA gold awards for health and safety and has received industry awards for environmental restoration
Company planning and estates director Rob Westell said: ‘We are delighted to have received planning [permission] for the Hurst Farm site. Over the last few years, we have worked closely with the landlord, local interest groups, the council, statutory consultees – especially the Environment Agency – and other stakeholders to reach this point.
‘As a quarry operator with extensive experience in the south of England, we will continue to work collaboratively with the local community while maintaining the highest standards of safety and environmental performance. Hurst Farm represents a nationally significant mineral reserve that will support the economy of Dorset and the surrounding areas for the next two decades.’
