Four-year lagoon extension at Cefn Graianog, Llanllyfni, Caernarfon

What was proposed

The application sought a four-year extension for operating silting lagoons supporting the quarry’s sand and gravel processing, with the existing methods continuing.

“Application under Section 73 to amend condition 2 of planning permission ref. C20/1064/22/AC to allow for a four-year extension to complete the minerals operations and restoration.”

Minutes

Why officers supported it

Officers considered that the extension would maintain mineral supplies, avoid enlarging the working area, and have acceptable landscape, amenity, ecological and hydrological effects with conditions.

“This application is specifically for the prolongment of the development and does not include any extension or physical alterations to the already approved working area. The nature of the proposal to extend the lifespan of the operations would undoubtedly prolong the visual impacts in the medium-term but given its overall context in an established mineral working it is not considered that it would not result in any great levels of visual impact.”

“This application seeks to extend the duration of mineral working and completion of restoration work by 4 additional years. Although this application only applies to a portion of the total mineral extraction area, it should be considered in combination with two other applications seeking to extend the duration of mineral working and associated activities for the rest of the quarry (the whole Cefn Graianog site).”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Public consultation produced no comments, while consultees raised no objection or supported the proposal subject to biodiversity and pollution safeguards.

“Consultations: Community Council: No comments submitted Transportation Unit: No comments submitted Public Rights of Way Unit No comments submitted.”

“Public Protection Unit: No comments submitted. Biodiversity Unit: Comments received on 13/03/2025: I have no objection regarding the extension of time for mineral operations and restoration. However, I would like to raise two important ecological issues regarding this site: The restoration of the site must provide habitats of biodiversity value such as pools and shallow scrapes and features such as hibernaculum for reptiles.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The Senior Minerals and Waste Planning Officer explained the proposal, its planning context and its effects on the site and surroundings.

What members considered

Members considered mineral supply, landscape, residential amenity, traffic, biodiversity and the closed lagoon system before accepting the officers’ assessment.

“In the context of visual amenities and the landscape, it was explained that this application was specifically for extending the period of development and did not include any extension or physical modifications to the already approved working area.”

“In the context of hydrology issues, the main purpose of the closed system of lagoons was to supplement the existing water management infrastructure to ensure adequate capacity to manage all quarry water on site, i.e. as a self-sustaining system. It was considered that the…”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

The committee resolved to delegate approval to the Head of Environment Department, subject to conditions controlling lagoon use, restoration, pollution, amenity and biodiversity.

“RESOLVED: To delegate the right to the Head of Environment Department to approve the application. Conditions: • Written notice shall be given to the Mineral Planning Authority at least 14 days before: i. The commencement of restoration works on any part of the land within the permitted area following the cessation of use as an ancillary silting facility for any of the three lagoons indicated on the application plans.”

“Drainage, measures to prevent pollution of local watercourses. • Aftercare measures for agricultural uses and biodiversity management. • Revised restoration scheme in the event of premature mineral extraction. • Ripping of ground base material to avoid surface compaction and achieve adequate drainage. • Minimum subsoil and topsoil depths.”

Minutes