Youngsters campaign against threat of Barford quarry - The Leamington Observer

Youngsters campaign against threat of Barford quarry

Leamington Editorial 24th Jun, 2019 Updated: 24th Jun, 2019   0

YOUNGSTERS in Barford have made a plea for fresh air as the fight continues against the threat of a quarry opening on their doorstep.

Pupils at from Barford St Peter’s School gathered at King George’s playing field in the village to mark Clean Air Day (June 20).

St John’s College in Oxford owns land at Wasperton which has been earmarked by Warwickshire County Council as a possible sand and gravel quarry – much to the anger of residents.

The council is in the process of drawing up a minerals plan for the county which is set to be considered this summer before being finalised.




But campaigners fear there could be severe health consequences – particularly for the village’s children and its elderly residents – if the 220 acre Wasperton site became a quarry.

A campaign spokesperson said: “If the plans proceed the playground and the school, together with hundreds of houses in the village will be in the direct flight path of dusty, dirty air carrying damaging particles to all lungs but particularly to the young, the old and sufferers of respiratory conditions.”


Villagers recently travelled to Oxford to protest at the quarry proposal outside the college.

The spokesperson added: “The college is hiding behind a process and WCC and claim to being socially responsible by allowing this to go ahead.

“They are in breach not only of their own environmental ethos – which states St John’s takes every opportunity to reduce its environmental impact – but also, the terms under which the land was bequeathed to them for the benefit of agriculture.”

A college spokesman told the Observer while they understood there were strong feelings the college was not in a position to address issues relating to environmental and health and safety concerns.

The spokesman said: “It will be the responsibility of Warwickshire County Council and potential new sand and gravel operator to address and answer any such concerns through future planning processes.

“The college will not allow any activity that is contrary to the local authority’s advice on environmental and safety issues.”

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