In December 2021, Aggregate Industries’ planning application for a 100-acre quarry at Straitgate Farm just outside Ottery St Mary and West Hill in East Devon was refused by Devon County Council.

Aggregate Industries has now appealed the decision and a 6-day public inquiry will be held in October.

Aggregate Industries wants to extract up to 1.5 million tonnes of as-dug sand and gravel over a period of 10-12 years, to be hauled to Hillhead near Uffculme for processing. The company owns the site and the mineral rights for miles around and has said it would subsequently look to extend workings.

The reasons for refusal were many, including:

• the impact and delays on the B3174 Exeter Road, the main road into and out of Ottery, from the 200 daily HGVs and the 4x daily cattle crossing for the displaced dairy herd;

• the safety concerns for children waiting for school buses;

• the increased flood risk to Ottery and surrounding communities;

• the harm to drinking water supplies for Grade I listed Cadhay and more than 100 people;

• the removal of the extensive network of ancient hedgerows and mature trees, and the impact on protected species including dormice and bats;

• the impact on heritage assets, as well as Cadhay's listed medieval fishponds and ancient woodlands;

• the unsustainable 23-mile distance between the proposed quarry and processing location – resulting in a staggering 2.5 million HGV miles in all.

We urgently need your help to raise funds to secure legal and expert representation at the appeal inquiry to fight this hugely damaging proposal.

To find out more please visit straitgateactiongroup.blogspot.com

THANK YOU for your help, and for all the donations already received.