Lafarge have applied to amend
the details and phasing of the remaining work at Panshanger. They no longer
intend to excavate any land to the south of the A414, which will enable
quarrying and restoration of the site to be completed by 2020 instead of 2031
as provided for in the existing permission. But not working land to the south
of the road apparently means that material will have to be imported from
elsewhere to help with the restoration of the areas already worked.
We made a number of points to the County Council, who are responsible for deciding this application. We welcomed both the earlier completion date and the reduction in area though we urged that, in return for being allowed to import material, the terms of Lafarge’s overall permission should be changed to ensure that they cannot change their minds in future and revert to the original date and area. We did not object to the principle of importing inert fill material, but the history of bringing in such material to quarries around Hertford is not encouraging. All sorts of rubbish including asbestos, clay and huge lumps of hardcore have been dumped, sometimes in excessive quantities. We therefore urged the County to tighten up the wording of the relevant condition and insist on compliance with details of finished levels and landform.
The application also seeks approval of a plan showing public paths following restoration of the land. There is a need for a clear east-west route from Hertford and Hertingfordbury to Welwyn Garden City that could be used as an alternative to the B1000 by walkers and cyclists, but the proposed pattern of routes fails to achieve this because one section would be a footpath only. We asked for a clear route available to both walkers and cyclists. We also questioned why the proposed new paths are to be permissive, rather than dedicated as public rights of way in perpetuity, since the right to use a permissive path can be withdrawn at any time by the landowner.
At the time of writing the application had not been decided.
We made a number of points to the County Council, who are responsible for deciding this application. We welcomed both the earlier completion date and the reduction in area though we urged that, in return for being allowed to import material, the terms of Lafarge’s overall permission should be changed to ensure that they cannot change their minds in future and revert to the original date and area. We did not object to the principle of importing inert fill material, but the history of bringing in such material to quarries around Hertford is not encouraging. All sorts of rubbish including asbestos, clay and huge lumps of hardcore have been dumped, sometimes in excessive quantities. We therefore urged the County to tighten up the wording of the relevant condition and insist on compliance with details of finished levels and landform.
The application also seeks approval of a plan showing public paths following restoration of the land. There is a need for a clear east-west route from Hertford and Hertingfordbury to Welwyn Garden City that could be used as an alternative to the B1000 by walkers and cyclists, but the proposed pattern of routes fails to achieve this because one section would be a footpath only. We asked for a clear route available to both walkers and cyclists. We also questioned why the proposed new paths are to be permissive, rather than dedicated as public rights of way in perpetuity, since the right to use a permissive path can be withdrawn at any time by the landowner.
At the time of writing the application had not been decided.
