📢 New Here? Here’s a Quick Summary
If you’re new to the site or haven’t had much information about the proposed industrial pit yet, we’ve summarised the key points in this blog post (based on the applicant’s current screening and scoping request). You can find more detailed information on the website, including the proposal and the potential impact this will have on our community.
🚨 This pit could bring 16 years of constant noise, dust, and 400 - 500 HGV lorry movements every working week. 🚨 If approved, it could disrupt daily life for local residents, increase air pollution, and devalue local property. Read on to understand what’s being proposed and how we can stop it before it’s too late.
⛏️ What is a Quarry?
A quarry is an open-pit industrial site where materials like sand, gravel, and stone are extracted for construction. Large machines dig deep into the ground, breaking up the landscape, generating huge amounts of dust, and creating continuous noise from drilling, crushing, and transport operations.
🔍 Watch this video to learn more about how a quarry works. 💭 Can you imagine having something like this in our community for the next 16 years?
📍 Where Will the Industrial Pit Be?
The proposed site is located next to Fynn Valley Golf Club, just a couple of miles from Westerfield Roundabout. It will cover an area equivalent to 22 football pitches, creating a hole the size of 420 Olympic swimming pools.
🚛 This isn’t just a problem for people closest to the site – it is likely to affect everyone in the area North of Ipswich due to:
A significant increase in HGV traffic on already congested roads.
Noise, dust, and pollution is likely to affect homes and public spaces.
Property value could drop for residents in the area.
📌 This image shows just how close the site is to homes, schools, public spaces, and the countryside.
🚛 The Impact of 252 HGV Lorry Movements
One of the biggest concerns is the 400 - 500 HGV lorry movements every working week, for 16 years.
These heavy vehicles could have a devastating impact on traffic, congestion, noise, and road safety across the area North of Ipswich and surrounding villages.
Major Roads Likely to be Affected
Westerfield Road – A key route into Ipswich that is already congested during peak hours could face a constant flow of HGVs.
Colchester Road (A1214) – One of Ipswich’s busiest roads could see more heavy quarry traffic, causing delays and adding to existing congestion.
Westerfield Level Crossing – Lorries waiting at this crossing could cause traffic bottlenecks, and increasing pollution from idling vehicles. All users of the crossing will know the length of time the crossing is closed.
🔊Noise and Dust – A Constant Disruption
Noise pollution from excavation, and lorry movements are likely to affect the peace and quiet of our community.
Fine dust particles (PM10, PM2.5) from the quarry could settle in homes, gardens, and public spaces, posing serious health risks—especially for children, the elderly, and people with asthma or respiratory conditions.
Air quality across North Ipswich, Westerfield, Tuddenham, and Witnesham could deteriorate, making daily life uncomfortable, unhealthy, and unpleasant.
🔍 Watch this video to see what it’s really like to live next to a quarry.
🌍 Environmental and Community Impact
If the pit is approved, it won’t just disrupt life for 16 years—it could cause lasting damage to our community:
Your property could drop in value – Studies show that homes near quarries often lose 20-30% of their value, making them harder to sell.
💭 Would you buy a house near an industrial pit?
Green spaces and wildlife habitats will be destroyed.
Flood risk is likely to increase, as quarrying disrupts natural drainage and makes the land less able to absorb rainwater.
The rural landscape will be permanently scarred for the life of the pit or longer.
💭 If we don’t stop this now, the damage will last long after the pit is gone.
⏳ What Happens Next?
The applicant has submitted a pre-planning application, and a full planning application is expected soon. When that happens, we will have only a short window to formally object—and the more objections we submit, the stronger our case will be.
📌 What you can do NOW:
✅ Sign up on our website to receive updates and key objection deadlines via email.
✅ Join our Facebook group and WhatsAPP group to stay informed and connect with others in the community.
✅ Spread the word – Tell your neighbours, friends, and family about the impact of the quarry. Don’t forget the pit is likely to affect everyone living in the area North of Ipswich.
✅ Encourage others to sign up – We will inform everyone through our website, Facebook, and WhatsApp group when it’s time to object. We need as many people as possible to be ready.
✅ Get involved! We welcome skills in legal, environmental, or planning expertise—or simply want to volunteer—please reach out.
🚨 If we don’t act now, this pit will become a reality. Together, we can stop it. 🚨
💬 What do you think? Leave a comment or message us if you’d like to help.
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