Mark has written to the Secretary of State regarding a planned judicial review into the Lea Castle Quarry.
It follows his support of the campaign opposed to the quarry based on environmental and health concerns.
The applicant, after losing a planning appeal, is submitting a judicial review into the decision. Mark has written to the Secretary of State calling on him to strongly defend the decision made by Worcestershire County Council and the Planning Inspector to refuse the planning application.
The full letter is below:
Rt Hon Michael Gove MP
Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
2 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DF
20 June 2023
Lea Castle Farm Quarry judicial review
I am writing to you regarding the planning application for the proposed Lea Castle Farm Quarry. I’ve been vocal in my opposition to these proposals, which threatens the environment, the local community and the health of our local school children and communities.
The planning application was refused by Worcestershire County Council and a subsequent appeal was dismissed by the Government’s Planning Inspectorate on behalf of the Secretary of State.
The community campaign was based on sound planning reasons for refusal, was democratically refused by local Councillors and was subsequently backed up in its appeal hearing.
It is deeply troubling that following a lengthy and thorough planning process, the applicant NRS Aggregates has now lodged a judicial review with the High Court.
While we do not yet know on what grounds the applicant has lodged the appeal, I expect the Government and the Planning Inspectorate to be putting forward a robust defence of the well-reasoned and sensible decision to refuse the Lea Castle Farm Quarry.
My understanding is, even if judicial review is successful, then the original decision is quashed. In the case of a quashed planning permission, that will normally mean that the planning application is redetermined by the Local Planning Authority or planning inspectorate. Please be assured that even if on technical grounds the judicial review is successful then we’ll be continuing the campaign against a quarry that is a threat to our environment, our community, and our health.
My constituents would be greatly reassured if you were able to confirm that you will defend the decision made by the Planning Inspectorate at the High Court.
Kind regards,
Mark Garnier MP
Member of Parliament for Wyre Forest