Plans for a 90-hectare sand and gravel quarry near Edzell have been revealed.
D. Geddes (Contractors) Ltd, of Arbroath, are preparing to submit a planning application to Angus Council for the development on land to the south-east of Edzell Wood.
The proposal is to work the site over about 35 years, which will provide “a continuity of employment and supply of material.” This site is seen as a replacement for the operation at Stannochy near Brechin.
The lodging of the proposal initiates a process of consultation with the local community, prior to lodging a formal application for planning permission with the council.
As part of this process the developers will showcase their proposals to residents at the Inglis Memorial Hall in Edzell on February 28 between noon and 8pm.
The details of the proposals will be on display and representatives of D. Geddes and planning and environmental consultants Dalgleish Associates Ltd will be available to answer questions.
Rob Latimer of Dalgleish Associates said, “The Scottish planning process now requires that for ‘major’ developments the applicant undertakes a pre-application consultation process with the local community. This formalises an approach which we have advocated for a number of years and in our experience early consultation is a valuable process for all parties.
“While this proposal is in the early stages of the planning process, a significant level of baseline data has already been compiled in order to inform the design of the proposal. This ensures that there are no issues in relation to the environment, including public amenity, which might preclude the development of the site.
“The application boundary extends to some 90 hectares. Of this a total of around 65 hectares shall be subject to sand and gravel extraction over the lifetime of the site.
“Sand and gravel extraction and restoration is undertaken sequentially over the site so that no more than around 10% of the land shall be affected at any time. This includes the area which shall be used for processing of materials throughout the life of the operation.Agricultural use”The site is currently in agricultural use and shall be restored to this land use progressively, as the operations move across the site. The proposal is to work the site over around 35 years, which shall provide a continuity of employment and supply of material into the region’s landbank.
“This site represents a strategic location for the Geddes Group in the north of Angus and is seen as a replacement for their operation at Stannochy.
“The nature of employment at the site is not known at present but whether these are new jobs or the retention of existing staff, this employment is clearly valuable in the long term but particularly now in the current economic climate.
“Typically an operation of this nature only requires a few full-time positions. However, it is widely accepted that there are significant employment ‘multipliers’ effectively supporting additional jobs associated with the operation and within the wider community.
“The sand and gravel from this site will be suitable for a wide variety of uses within the construction industry.”
The site access shall be taken along the route of an existing forest track through Edzell Wood on to the B966. This shall require upgrading but by using this route the effect on the woodland will be minimised.
Comment sheets will be available at the consultation event for any members of the public or interested parties.
The Geddes Group, a family firm established over 70 years ago, has operated as quarry masters since the early 1970s, starting with a single hard rock quarry. It now operates three sand and gravel quarries and four hard rock quarries.
The company’s sand and gravel pits still supply aggregate for concrete production in its ready-mixed concrete plant at Ardownie by Monifeith.
In 2008 the company started sand and gravel extraction at Balado, near Kinross which allowed it to extend its services into the Fife, Perthshire and Lothian regions.
Photo used under a Creative Commons licence courtesy of Flickr user iluvrhinestones.