Lincolnshire quarry allowed extended working hours despite concerns
Some councillors have labelled the time ‘anti-social’
A quarry has been granted permission for longer working hours, despite some councillors labelling the time ‘anti-social’.
The Skillington quarry near Colsterworth will start receiving lorries an hour earlier at 7am Monday to Saturday, and continue an extra five hours until 6pm on Fridays.
Lincolnshire County Council’s planning committee granted permission for the quarry’s longer hours at the meeting on Monday, June 15.
The Heritage Quarry Group, who runs the site in South Kesteven, said changing the hours would bring it in line with most of the industry.
A spokesperson for the applicant told the committee: “Skillington Quarry is at significant disadvantage due to the working hours, which mean it can’t supply raw materials to the construction industry at the start of the working day.”
Councillor Charlotte Vernon, who represents the area, described starting at 7am as “anti-social hours” and said: “There doesn’t seem to be any reason for this change other than their business plan.”
The highways authority didn’t raise any objections, although the parish council said a 7am start was unacceptable to local residents.
Councillor Martin Hill said: “We should put more weight on what local residents think than a manager sitting in Lincoln who won’t be affected by the noise.”
When planning officers said there was no difference in policy terms between 7am and 8am, he added: “That won’t make much difference to people being woken up at 6.30 in the morning.”
Reform councillors voted through the new hours, despite opposition from Conservatives and a Labour member.
Councillor Alistair Arundel supported the change, saying: “Businesses are struggling at the moment, and this will mean more revenue for the company and more cash in employees’ pockets.”
Councillor Tom Sneath agreed: “It would be better if the lorries have already left by 8am, when it’s getting very busy as people head to work and school.”
The company has agreed to a voluntary 20mph speed limit for lorries travelling through the nearby villages.