Ballast Quay

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  • Former mineral extraction site to be used for inert landfill
  • Proposed restoration to provide diverse wildlife habitats and public access
  • Community consultation and assistance in promotion of the site to the Waste Local Plan

JJ Prior is a leading aggregate provider who use river transport from their quay on the Colne estuary, to supply aggregates to London. Following completion of mineral extraction works at a site in Fingringhoe, JJ Prior were due to undertake restoration and aftercare which would provide arable farmland and wildlife habitats at the reduced land levels.

They wanted to consider an alternative restoration scheme as part of their commercial diversification, which would reinstate the ground levels more closely to their pre-quarrying state. This involved using inert landfill – i.e. as raised soils, stone, chalk and clay which are a by-product of construction – to raise site levels. WWA assisted JJ Prior, as part of a consulting team, in promoting their site to the replacement waste local plan for inert landfill. We undertook a site and visual assessment, developed alternative restoration proposals, and engaged with the community in a public consultation on the alternative proposals.

When implemented, the proposals developed by WWA would enhance landscape character and visual benefits by restoring site levels. There would also be additional wildlife benefits by omitting arable land use, including more diverse habitats and increasing connection to existing habitats. The scheme also proposes public facilities including access which would link to existing footpaths, a seating and viewpoint area, and disabled visitor car parking.

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