MORE than 100 residents and MP Dame Priti Patel attended a meeting on controversial plans for a new mineral quarry to be built between the Copford and Birch villages.

Essex County Council (ECC) is considering more than 50 areas across Essex as mineral quarry sites with most of the proposed sites being near the A12 between Chelmsford and Colchester.

The site in Heckfordbridge, between the Copford and Birch villages, would also be located close to two nearby schools - which are just at 800 metres and 1.2km away.

Francesca Warner was upset after finding out that ECC identified a plot of land only “800 metres” away from her home.

Braintree and Witham Times: Biodiversity - Francesca Warner said the air quality in the area would deteriorate and so a “huge number” of rare Red Kite birds would be put at risk as well as badgersBiodiversity - Francesca Warner said the air quality in the area would deteriorate and so a “huge number” of rare Red Kite birds would be put at risk as well as badgers (Image: David Hultquist)

Ms Warner said the concerns raised by residents made it “apparent how much we care about this area being protected”.

Ms Warner also said that the site was important as it is part of only 10 per cent of the UK’s arable farmlands which use a method called “regenerative farming”.

Dame Priti and councillor Kevin Bentley, who represents the Stanway and Pyefleet division on Essex County Council, were at the Saturday meeting which was organised by Ms Warner. 

A spokesman for ECC said: “Due to significant public interest, we have extended the deadline for responses to this consultation to Tuesday April 9.

“The consultation is available at www.essex.gov.uk/minerals-review.”

Dame Priti said after the meeting: “Local communities across this part of Essex have raised concerns and questions about the level of quarrying activities proposed, the number of sites and the impact that more quarrying will have".

"We already experience the impact of high levels of quarrying from sites around the A12 and the A120 and communities close to existing sites and those under consideration are worried."

Ms Patel added: "These concerns include issues over the increase in traffic, dust and particles in the air, and the impact on the environment. I will be making representations on their behalf to Essex County Council to highlight these concerns and the issues raise with the sites proposed.”