VILLAGERS have joined forces to fight a possible quarry opening on their doorstep.
Residents in Barford and Wasperton fear their lives will be turned upside down if a proposed mineral quarry gets the green light.
Warwickshire County Council is currently producing a new Minerals Development Framework to identify where new quarry sites should be located. Of the nine sites earmarked, two are within the Barford and Wastperton parish boundary.
Some 60 homes are located within a stone’s throw of the proposed sites and residents fear their peace being shattered by some 80 lorries a day rumbling along the A429 transporting minerals.
Residents also fear the quarry would hit property prices, lead to flooding issues, and also pose a potential health risk to youngsters at the village school and nursery.
Stephanie Steel, a resident living close to Glebe Farm, said: “Having spent the last ten years extending and improving our property we decided to reduce our overheads, release some equity and reduce the amount of time spent on up keeping the property.
“We were in the process of selling and were about to exchange contracts when a letter about the site near us was hand delivered to our door. The purchasers immediately pulled out saying they were not prepared to take such a risk as our house would be surrounded by sand and gravel pits and the situation would be untenable.
” We have a lovely home but we are now imprisoned in it, committed to the time and expense of running it, probably for the next 20 years, the remainder of my able life”.
Fiona Jefferson, who also lives nearby, is equally concerned.
She said: “As a local resident who has lived with cancer for over ten years, I am extremely worried about the health impact of silica dust particularly on the young, elderly and those with pre-existing conditions like myself or those who already have breathing problems such as asthma.
“The worry in itself of the blight on our property which will be trapped by the quarry and will mean we cannot sell as house prices will plummet is bad enough, but this is already having a serious impact on well-being and our human
rights. I seriously hope that WCC will scrap these plans and look at more socially and economically viable options.”
Villagers are urging people to object to the county council – https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/mdf – by Friday December 4.
