Thorney Quarry, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire
Opening up 59 hectares (146 acres) of former arable farmland for the production of aggregates, from land acquisition and identification of the scale of mineral reserve, to product being delivered out of the gate took less than four years!
Geological surveys back in 2014 revealed a winnable reserve of the highest quality sand and gravel totalling some 3.7M tonnes. There were formidable planning and practical obstacles to be overcome, including the need to upgrade site access from the highways network. But Land Logical were determined to go the extra mile and invest in the greenest possible approach to delivery of the quarry development.
Although there were inevitably going to impact resulting from the excavation on such a large scale in a largely flat landscape, these have been offset by the planting of some 19,000 trees in all. Potential archaeology issues were avoided through a creative approach to design.
Even more impressive is the commitment to recycling water used in the aggregate washing plant - 350,000 litres per hour - and the exclusive use of peer to peer renewable energy in its fully electric processing plant - the first of its type in the UK. To make the operation even more productive and sustainable, a concrete batching plant has now been added to the site's infrastructure.
Another key feature in achieving the quickest and best possible return on the investment has been a willingness to work with the local community, to address and deal with their concerns and a commitment to use local trades, suppliers and contractors, along with a workforce of locals.
Six phases of mineral extraction over 20 years will be progressively restored to productive agriculture through the importation and placement of inert materials. Interest from potential account customers with a Waste Carriers Licence and able to provide pre-approved soil reports are welcome.