Both the Inland Waterways Association (IWA) and Commercial Boat Operators Association (CBOA) have shown support for the planning application for a new sand and gravel quarry near Stanley Ferry.
The application, submitted by Wakefield Sand and Gravel Ltd, is for a site that consists of two fields on either side of the River Calder, which would be joined by a conveyor bridge across the River. Sand and gravel would not leave the quarry on local roads, as a new wharf would be constructed on the Aire and Calder Navigation canal to transport the sand and gravel by barge to a concrete plant at the side of the River in Dewsbury.
Both associations have posted messages of support for the application, with the West Riding Brand of the IWA claiming the new wharf, which would be constructed on the Aire and Calder Navigation canal to transport the sand and gravel by barge to a concrete plant at the side of the River in Dewsbury, is “an opportunity to develop low energy, low carbon water transport in line with local and national transport policies which could be an exemplar from a national as well as a local perspective”.
The CBOA also commented that “barge use for material carriage produces less CO2 than lorry transport, is less hazardous on local roads, eliminates highway wear and tear from the extra freight movement meaning lower long term highway maintenance costs, and lower exhaust emissions meaning less air pollution in the district”.
The planning application documents have been uploaded to the Council's planning website and are available for all to access. Under normal circumstances, a decision would be expected in six months - by September/October 2020. Site operations would likely start in Spring 2021 with the first barge loads departing from the new Canal wharf later that year.
Chris Ballam, Principal at MWP Planning said: “We would like to thank both the IWA and CBOA for their support, as well as the local residents who have submitted their feedback through the Wakefield Council planning hub and our website.
“As we were, unfortunately, unable to hold a public consultation due to the current lockdown restrictions, it is really important for us to be able to answers any queries or concerns from the public, so we are glad that a number of residents have been in touch already to discuss the application. We continue to encourage residents to get in touch through our website or social channels”.
More details can be found on the website https://www.stanleyferryquarry.com/ or on https://planning.wakefield.gov.uk/online-applications/simpleSearchResults.do?action=firstPage.
