Working of sand and gravel at Hodge Ditch as an extension of Chard Junction Quarry was permitted by Dorset CC in November for Aggregate Industries UK Ltd. The application was accompanied by an Environmental Statement. Consideration followed a site visit. Chard Junction Quarry is 4km south of Chard and close to the county boundary with both Somerset and Devon. The quarry, currently some 27ha in extent, has been used to extract sands and gravels from the relatively deep valley gravel deposits of the River Axe, for the last 50 years. The 23ha application site included 11ha within the existing quarry with the extension area comprising the remaining 12ha, known as Hodge Ditch. The existing quarry and the proposed extension Tie within the Dorset AONB and the boundary of the historic house and gardens of Forde Abbey lie 600m east of the proposed extension area. Black Lawn Coppice, designated as a Site of Nature Conservation Interest is south east of the proposed extension.
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