Firm plans to fill voids in old quarry with debris
BBCA demolition firm has applied to dispose of leftover debris, soil and clay under a former quarry.
Crawcrook Quarry in Gateshead was previously used to mine sand and gravel before black bin bag waste was disposed of at the site.
Thompsons of Prudhoe has bought the land and said it planned to turn the site into a nature walk for the community.
The scheme has attracted 36 objections and five in support, with concerns focused on increased levels of traffic, noise pollution and damage to wildlife habitats. Thompsons has been approached for comment.
Planning documents submitted to Gateshead Council state lorries would travel to the site up to 55 times a day.
To minimise the impact on neighbours, a new entrance would be built connecting the quarry with the B3617.
One objector said it would have a "severe" impact on their home.
"This would make our property close to what is effectively a large-scale waste excavation site," they said.
The resident, who is not named in documents, said their home currently benefits from views of the former quarry, which has "evolved" into a habitat for deer, otters and other species.
"The loss of this habitat would be devastating not only environmentally but also to the character of the area," they said.
Other objections complained about potential noise caused by lorries dumping waste and the possible danger caused by vehicles joining the B3617.
Ancient woodland
Details of the plans published by Thompsons said it would spend the next 15 years restoring the site and use 1.35 million cubic metres of inert material, such as clay and soil, to fill voids in the landscape.
The project would complete restoration work unfinished by the previous owner, the application said.
Thompsons said it aimed to restore the area using a mix of grassland, shrubs and trees to create "extensive wildlife habitats" along with new walks incorporating existing rights of way.
It also plans to stabilise steep quarry faces and treat two silt lagoons left behind from the quarry operations.
The firm said no work would be carried out inside Crookoe Wood, which is classed as ancient woodland.
"As the proud new owners, we want to restore the land to ensure the green open spaces that were lost so many years ago, are returned to the local community," the company said online.
