Quarry plant gains concrete approval

Plans for a new batching plant at the disused Dunion Quarry near Jedburgh have been rubber-stamped.

The plant will now operate over three years to supply the concrete necessary to complete the much-heralded Hawick flood defence project.

The operator is Stuart Dodd, of Grange Quarry Limited on the Kirkburn Industrial Estate in Lockerbie.

In addition to providing the concrete for the major flood defence scheme the company will also supply the local Jedburgh and Hawick markets over the period.

However, Jed Valley Community Council expressed concern over the impact HGV vehicles, some of which could weigh 30 tonnes, would have on the environment due to the level of emissions.

A spokesperson said the existing A68 route was ‘wholly unsatisfactory’ and that all routing should be by A698/B6358, not Castlegate, adding: “HGV’s frequently using this route will present a substantial hazard to pedestrians and other road users, including much-valued tourists and visitors between the two main tourist attractions, Jedburgh Abbey and Castle Jail. The result would result in unacceptable levels of exhaust pollution and should not be allowed.”

The site forms part of the currently disused quarry and will comprise of storage silos, feed hoppers, in addition to an office and control room.

The plant will operate from 6am to 6pm from Monday to Friday and from 7am until 6pm on Saturday.

A spokesperson for Glasgow-based Johnson Poole and Bloomer, agent for the applicant, said the site had been chosen as it benefits from substantial screening provided by trees either side of the entrance and by hedgerow to the east.

The spokesperson added: “The site is a considerable distance from residential properties, a total of 800 metres from the nearest property at Upper Hundelee Farm, allowing early morning operations with minimal potential residential amenity impacts.”

Once completed the flood defence scheme will protect 900 Hawick properties from a “one in 75 year” flood event.

Euan Calvert, the council’s assistant planning officer, said: “I am satisfied in this instance that there is a temporary operational requirement being demonstrated by this application.”