The application, submitted by Wakefield Sand and Gravel, is for a site that consists of two fields on either side of the River Calder, which would be joined by a conveyor bridge across the River. The applicant says that sand and gravel would not leave the quarry on local roads, as a new wharf would be constructed on the Aire and Calder Navigation canal to transport the sand and gravel by barge to a concrete plant at the side of the River in Dewsbury.
The West Riding Brand of the IWA says that the new wharf, which would be constructed on the Aire and Calder Navigation canal to transport the sand and gravel by barge to a concrete plant at the side of the River in Dewsbury, is “an opportunity to develop low energy, low carbon water transport in line with local and national transport policies which could be an exemplar from a national as well as a local perspective”.
The CBOA commented that “barge use for material carriage produces less CO2 than lorry transport, is less hazardous on local roads, eliminates highway wear and tear from the extra freight movement meaning lower long term highway maintenance costs, and lower exhaust emissions meaning less air pollution in the district”.
The planning application documents have been uploaded to Wakefield Council's planning website and are available for access to all.
Under normal circumstances, a decision would be expected in six months - by September/October 2020. Wakefield Sand and Gravel says that site operations would likely start in Spring 2021 with the first barge loads departing from the new Canal wharf later that year.
Chris Ballam, principal at MWP Planning, said: “As we were, unfortunately, unable to hold a public consultation due to the current lockdown restrictions, it is really important for us to be able to answers any queries or concerns from the public, so we are glad that a number of residents have been in touch already to discuss the application. We continue to encourage residents to get in touch through our website or social channels."
