Statement Of Case

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We have now submitted our Statement of Case to the Planning Inspectorate. This document outlines our case against the quarry and evidence supporting our belief that the appeal should be refused. Separate and similar documents have also been submitted by the County Council and Cllr.Andrew Stevenson. » Read our Statement Of Case...
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Bengeo Field Usage Survey

Bengeo Field Usage Survey

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We are carrying out an updated survey about Bengeo Field is used by the public. Please can you respond to this very short questionnaire on Surveymonkey & share with everyone you know in Hertford & surrounding areas. If we want to influence the decision about the future of Bengeo Field, we need to provide the results of the survey before Christmas. » Follow this link to fill out the survey...
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Campaign Report

Campaign Report

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The new quarry application is due to be considered by Hertfordshire County Council Development Control Committee on 25th January 2018 at 10am at County Hall (as before in March). Stop Bengeo Quarry (SBQ) invite the attendance of all local residents to demonstrate to members of the deciding Committee the strength of local opposition against the new plan. County Councillor Andrew Stevenson commented: “The strength of community feeling about the quarry applications is illustrated by the huge support the SBQ campaign has received. SBQ has been very organised, exploring every facet of the issues, and this is important. A quarry this close to an urban area is simply unacceptable. I fully support SBQ and will continue to work with them in my capacity as County Councillor to oppose these applications. I urge everyone who has not already done so to email your views to the County Council and the Planning Inspector.” The case is currently being considered by the HCC Planning Officer and relevant...
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Water-Supply Boreholes in Bengeo Field Preclude Safe Quarrying

Water-Supply Boreholes in Bengeo Field Preclude Safe Quarrying

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Our consultant geologist Bryan Lovell has written to the Planning Inspectorate detailing concerns over the threat to local drinking water presented by the proposed quarry north of Bengeo. In his letter, Dr Lovell describes the geology of the site and the risks identified not only by the applicant's own consultants, Hafren Water, but also by a report for McMullen's Brewery in 1992. The risks were also identified by the Lea Valley Water Company in 1990. "Fractures​ ​in​ ​the​ ​chalk​ ​aquifer​ ​mean​ ​that​ ​any​ ​pollution​ ​can​ ​reach​ ​the​ ​Wadesmill​ ​Road​ ​boreholes​ ​rapidly.  But​ ​clearing​ ​pollution​ ​from​ ​the​ ​small​ ​pores​ ​within​ ​the​ ​body​ ​of​ ​chalk​ ​rock​ ​is​ ​a​ ​lengthy​ ​and​ ​costly​ ​business.   By​ ​the​ ​time​ ​any​ ​pollution​ ​is​ ​detected,​ ​lasting​ ​damage​ ​may​ ​well​ ​have​ ​been​ ​done​ ​to​ ​Hertford’s​ ​aquifer.  Monitoring​ ​of​ ​pollution​ ​as​ ​it​ ​takes​ ​place​ ​is​ ​not​ ​the​ ​main​ ​issue:​ ​pollution​ ​must​ ​be​ ​prevented​ ​from​ ​the​ ​word  go. " Dr Bryan Lovell The letter goes on to address the necessary steps that would need to...
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Mark Prisk MP Reiterates Support

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Hertford & Stortford MP Mark Prisk has reiterated his support for the Stop Bengeo Quarry campaign. Writing on his Facebook page he says: "It's very disappointing to see another attempt to force a quarry onto the community at Bengeo. The case against remains clear - it would be bad for air quality, bad for traffic and bad for water quality. All of us made this clear last time, and like other members of the community I remain opposed to this application, just as I did the last."...
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Bengeo Quarry Continues to Threaten Hertford’s Landscape and Water

Bengeo Quarry Continues to Threaten Hertford’s Landscape and Water

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Supporters of the Stop Bengeo Quarry campaign (SBQ) came together for a Summer Walk across Bengeo Field, as the fight to preserve the local landscape continues.  On Sunday 10th September Stop Bengeo Quarry hosted the event, which consisted of a walk to the Woodman pub in Chapmore End, where a day of live music and a barbecue took place for the community event.  More than 120 people attended during the day, to back the fight to Stop Bengeo Quarry, which is getting ready for its next round of campaigning to gain further support. Adults, children and dogs gathered at the Old Oak Tree on the path at Bengeo Field to begin a day in aid of the green space between Wadesmill and Sacombe Road.  Supporters were invited to wear red for Stop Bengeo Quarry or green to celebrate our countryside, with prizes for the best outfits.  It was a fun day out for all the family, with activities for children along...
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Stopping Bengeo Quarry Is Not Over Yet

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The Bengeo quarry applicant has now appealed against the rejection decision made by Herts County Council's Development Control Committee in March this year. The appeal has been logged with Planning Inspectorate and HCC will be requested to defend their decision. We hope this will be a public hearing and we, the residents, will be able to have our views and the evidence presented by our experts. It does mean though that we are into the next stage of the process and we will have to consider experts, barristers, etc. We knew that stopping the application in March did not mean the end of the campaign. Please show your support and help us raise the awareness and funds for the experts that we will be carefully considering to represent us at the appeal. We won before and WITH YOUR SUPPORT we are well positioned to stop it again. More detailed information to follow soon....
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