Why huge amounts of London waste could be tipped in Croft Quarry in Leicestershire

Vast quantities of London’s waste as well as rubble from the construction of the HS2 rail line could be dumped in a Leicestershire quarry.

Croft Quarry is one of the largest granite quarries in Europe but is coming to the end of its mining life, and the firm that runs it is looking to restore the area when all the extractable rock is gone.

Quarrying at the site, between Hinckley and Leicester, began in 1868 and the workings have left a huge hole in the ground covering an 81 acre space.

Aggregate Industries, based at Bardon near Coalville, wants to to extend the quarry to release 6.3 million more tonnes of aggregate in a process that could take up to 20 years.

But the firm has sent details to Leicestershire County Council about how it plans to restore the area after quarrying finishes.

What does the firm say?

In document sent to County Hall agents for the company said: “It is proposed to import approximately 22 million cubic metres of inert material – up to 750,000 cubic metres per year.

“Restoration material will predominately be imported via rail.

“The rail siding will be relocated to run parallel with the Leicester to Birmingham mainline and will involve consultation with Network Rail.

“It is the company’s intention to utilise their London Rail facilities to export London’s waste over the next ten years, waste generated from HS2 and then expand into other major infrastructure projects across the UK utilising rail as a principle form of transport."

The document adds: “Although imported restoration material would predominately be via rail the company seeks the ability to import a proportion of waste via lorry to provide market flexibility.

“It is not anticipated that the volume of vehicles movements will exceed historical levels.”

If Aggregate Industries get planning permission from the county council they want to start the last leg of the extraction in 2020.

It envisages all work at the quarry will end by 2052.

Concerns have been raised

There are however concerns that the tipping of large amounts of waste in the quarry could have a harmful impact on wildlife and habitats nearby as well as pose a risk of polluting water sources nearby.

Green party activists in Leicester say they will fight the scheme.

Green spokeswoman Mags Lewis said: “ This application will have a devastating impact on an area known for its importance to nature and habitat.”

The county council will have the final say on the project and its planning committee will look at the potential environmental impact, the effects on wildlife, the local roads and public right of way.

Leicestershire Live has contacted Aggregate Industry for comment.