Victory for local campaigners after decade of worry
A new quarry on 100 acres of farmland in East Devon won't now go ahead, ending a decade of turmoil for local people who objected to the plans.
Holcim UK, previously known as Aggregate Industries, already operates quarries in the district, but its proposals to extract more than a million tonnes of sand and gravel at Straitgate Farm, Ottery St Mary.
Now the company says because of "a change in business strategy and direction" it will abandon the plans and sell the site.
The plans were refused initially by Devon County Council in December 2021 but an appeal to the Planning Inspector was successful in January 2023.
Writing on social media, local councillor Jess Bailey said: "There are long running battles. And then there's Straitgate.
"I'm delighted that multinational Aggregate Industries (now Holcim) have at long last shelved their jawdroppingly awful proposal for a 100 acre quarry."
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