Civic Society Renew Objection

By Admin Comment Closed
Hertford Civic Society have re-iterated their objection to quarrying north of Bengeo, following the submission of new documents by RJD Ltd. In their letter to the County Council they write: "We note that the applicants have submitted amendments to the above application. The main change is a revision to the proposed landform on completion of quarrying.  In our view this revision is very much to be welcomed because the landform now proposed would appear much less alien to its surroundings than that proposed originally.  We also welcome the reduction in the volume of material to be extracted, and consequent shortening of the length of time during which the landscape would be disrupted by quarrying operations.  That said, experience at other quarries in the area has shown how difficult it is to ensure that operators stick to the agreed timetable if demand for the product slackens. Despite these welcome amendments our objections to the quarry still stand, for the reasons set out in my letter of...
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Make Your Voice Heard

By Admin Comment Closed
The original application to extract gravel from Bengeo Field was made at the start of the Easter holidays last year. Despite the depth of local concern and opposition among local residents, the developers re-submitted a revised application – this time to coincide with the start of the Christmas holiday.   The threat to the landscape and wildlife remains. The health concerns related to gravel extraction remain. The impact of the quarry on the water supply and highways remains a concern. And the good faith of the developers behind this application must also be a concern; it is an insult to local residents to play politics with the timing of their applications. How can local residents feel confident that the developers will behave any better in the future? And why would anyone wish to see Bengeo Field sacrificed for the sake of private interests?   The strength of local feeling, expressed in response to the original application, has had an effect. The period of gravel...
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Public Consultation Reopens

By Admin Comment Closed
Herts County Council are carrying oput a further public consultation on plans for a quarry north of Bengeo, following the submission of new documents by applicant RJD. If you wish to make any further or additional comments on the planning application please could you let the Case Officer, Ms Felicity J Hart, know by 23rd February 2017. All the documents are on HCC website (please go to documents, and you can find the latest submissions searching by the date (from 20 Dec 2016 onwards). » Letter from County Council 2nd February 2017...
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Landscape Survey

By Admin Comment Closed
Take part in our Bengeo Fields landscape survey. We needs to gather evidence about the landscape of Hertford. We need to know what you think about the quality of the existing views and if, and how often, you use Bengeo Field. To help us, please take 5 minutes of your time to complete this anonymous questionnaire. Please encourage your friends to respond too! We want to gather the responses quickly, so please complete by 28 February 2017. We will publish the results on the website. Update 2/3/17: The survey is now closed  ...
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Landscape Response

By Admin Comment Closed
We have now submitted our formal response to RJD's recent landscaping changes. Our initial view is that for the new landscape plan to be implemented, as outlined, a reduction of two thirds is required (i.e. to 1 million tonnes or even less). The developer should provide a profile view showing the amount of gravel extracted North to South and East to West and a far fuller explanation as to how the restoration is to be carried out.  You can read our full response using the link below. » Landscape Response 12Jan17...
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Quarry Scale Reduced

By Admin Comment Closed
We've now had some time to review the recent resubmission by RJD Ltd for quarrying operations north of Bengeo. The resubmission addresses concerns raised by the district council's Landscape Officer about the resulting landform after the extraction of gravel. The new plans have reduced the volume of material extracted by around a third, with a similar reduction in timescale and reduced change in landform. The operational period of the proposed quarry has reduced by five years from 15 years to 10 years. However, the area covered by the quarry remains unchanged. We await a response from the Landscape Officer to the revised plans. In the meantime, the original report is available below. » Landscape Report - July 2016...
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Quarry Application Resubmitted

By Admin Comment Closed
We just heard that the revised application for the Bengeo Quarry has been re-submitted. It is possible that the new documents will be available on the HCC website between Christmas & New Year. The case is most likely to be discussed by HCC Committee on 23rd February 2017 (10am in County Hall) and the public consultation of the re-application is most likely to be 3rd - 17th January 2017. We were advised that later responses may be accepted while the HCC planning report is being written - until it is submitted to the HCC Development Control Committee 2 weeks before the meeting (i.e. 8 Feb '17). Please could you let your friends and families know. Please could you look out for updates - we would love to have similar level of response to HCC consultation as we had before. Please could you try to join us for the Committee discussions in the County Hall on 23rd February 2017 at 10am. Update: Document...
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Further Consultation To Take Place

By Admin Comment Closed
We have received the following update from  Cllr. Andrew Stevenson on the progress of plans for the quarry north of Bengeo: "I have been informed that the applicants have been allowed until the end of November to respond to the independent reports prepared by the County Council officers. The large number of objections from local residents illustrates the highly problematic nature of this application , located , as it is , so close to an urban area and primary school. The applicants response will need to include quite detailed information. After that, it is intended to hold another public consultation to allow residents the opportunity to respond to the response. Because of the Christmas period the matter is now likely to come before the County Council Development Control Committee at its January 2017 session."...
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Tree Walk Ends Summer Challenge

By Admin Comment Closed
Stop Bengeo Quarry campaigners and supporters celebrated the end of the Bengeo Field Summer Challenge last Sunday by joining a walk to the Lonely Oak Tree in the middle of the field. < There were activities on the route, including a sports challenge, stone painting, tree games and activities. At the tree there was a whole variety of delicious cakes as well as small gifts for children who completed the Summer Challenge. The organisers would like to thank all the supporters. The campaign against the Bengeo quarry proposal continues, with the HCC Development Control Committee expected most likely to take place on 21 December at 10 am at the County Hall. ...
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