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More on KentOnline
Quarry lorries will be able to travel through a congested village for at least a decade despite strong opposition from more than 150 residents and three councils.
Up to 100 heavy goods vehicles a day transporting sand from Aylesford Quarry to other parts of Kent can now travel directly through the centre of the village of Eccles as part a major route change.
Kent County Council (KCC) received more than 150 objections from residents, Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council, Aylesford Parish Council and Burham Parish Council, in the last three months ahead a key public meeting at County Hall in Maidstone.
Opponents told KCC's planning committee that the proposal was "totally unacceptable", while Aylesford parish councillor Roger Gledhill said he feared villagers would be "intimidated" by the large vehicles.
However, nine of the 12 KCC committee members voted in favour of Aylesford Heritage Ltd's proposal due to the absence of any objections from technical groups, such as KCC's highways team.
Cllr Alan Marsh (Con), chairman of the planning committee, described the situation as "unfortunate" after several members of KCC's planning committee raised concerns during the session.
Excavating minerals at Aylesford Quarry has taken place for over 100 years, but sand from the eastern side of the quarry has depleted and around 148,000 tonnes of sand remain on the west side of the site, near Eccles.
"To have this potentially dragging on until 2042... is not fair to local people..." Cllr John Burden
Cliff Thurlow, of Aylesford Heritage Ltd, said he wants to extract the sand quickly but told the committee it will take at least 30 weeks and lorries cannot drive through an existing 2.5m wide tunnel under Bull Lane because the road is too narrow.
The applicant claimed the only viable route to transport sand to his market bases in Medway and Maidstone will be via Eccles' Bulls Lane, which runs towards the junctions of Rochester Road and Pilgrim's Way.
However, Mr Thurlow's bid was met with fierce resistance from dozens of residents and local authorities as well as members of Kent County Council's planning group.
Cllr Rosalind Binks (Con), who voted against the proposal, described the move as "impractical" while Cllr Matthew Balfour (Con), who abstained, said: "Eccles does not deserve any more traffic."
Mr Thurlow said he wants to avoid traffic disruption in the village and will ensure drivers do not travel during Eccles Primary School pick up times in the mornings and afternoons between 8.15am and 9am and 3pm and 4pm respectively.
HGVs will not travel in convoy - two or more vehicles together - and drivers would be instructed to wait at least five minutes before following an inbound or outbound vehicle, he added.
"Eccles does not deserve any more traffic" - Cllr Matthew Balfour
No objections were raised by Kent County Council's highways team and planning officers said the absence of technical reasons for refusal meant it would be difficult to reject the proposal.
However, uncertainty about the timing of the works remained a serious fear for committee members due to the fact a planning condition exists which means mineral working on Aylesford Quarry can be carried out until February 21, 2042.
Cllr John Burden (Lab) said: "To have this potentially dragging on until 2042... is not fair to local people."
Elected members voted in favour of revising the timeframe to allow quarry lorries to travel through Eccles until 2030, although the applicant has the right to appeal this to the Secretary of State.
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