Gravel and waste plans unveiled

Hertfordshire County Council have published their draft mineral and waste plans for the next 18 years and are asking the public to comment.

The plan aims to make sure there is sufficient aggregate minerals such as gravel to support construction in the county up until 2040. The plans also outlines how the county wil provide the capacity to manage the waste that residents and businesses produce.

The plan identifies three sites for future gravel extraction - at the Briggins Estate east of Stanstead Abbotts, the former Aerodrome at Hatfield, and land adjoining Coopers Green Lane north of Hatfield.

Land north of Bengeo that was previously allocated for gravel extraction is no longer part of the council's plan, following a long campaign by local residents against quarrying in the fields between Sacombe Road and Wadesmill Road. Proposals to establish a quarry on the land was rejected by the government following a public enquiry in 2018.

Eric Buckmaster, Executive Member for the Environment for Hertfordshire County Council, said: "In Hertfordshire, some of our top priorities are creating a cleaner and greener environment, and delivering sustainable and responsible growth, for our residents.

"We're expecting significant growth in the county over the next 15 years, and it's absolutely vital we keep planning now – and in the most sustainable way possible - to make sure we have the infrastructure in place so that Hertfordshire benefits from that growth. We produce millions of tonnes of waste in Hertfordshire every year, a lot of which is commercial and industrial waste, and we need the right facilities in order to manage this responsibly.

"We really want to hear people's views on this draft Plan so we can ensure any concerns are acted upon. We're pleased that the county's Plans for minerals and waste have been brought together in one document, as it's more efficient and makes it easier to address feedback from residents provided during previous consultations."

In December 2021, county councillors agreed to prepare a single Minerals and Waste Local Plan, rather than continuing the process of preparing separate plans for the two issues. All the work that went into creating those emerging individual plans has provided the foundations for the new single document, with residents' previous views all taken into account.

You can read the draft plan and comment by visiting the county council's Emerging Minerals & Waste Local Plan. The consultation closes on Friday 30th September.