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

What was proposed

The application sought four more years for mineral operations and restoration, without extending the existing operational footprint.

“Description: This is an application under Section 73 of the Planning Act 1990 to vary condition 1 of planning permission reference C20/1065/22/AC to allow for a 4-year extension for the completion of mineral operations and restoration at Cefn Graianog. This proposal seeks an extension of time up until the 31st of December 2028 for the continuation of minerals operations at Graianog Farm.”

“The sequence of operations will be subject to the same conditions as existing covering amongst other requirements, hours of operation, noise, ecology, dust, agricultural husbandry and archaeological recording/mitigation in advance of extraction. The proposed scheme of restoration and aftercare to agricultural use will continue as present for the most part, as the sequence of operations progress eastwards into the extension area.”

Officer report

Planning history

The quarry has a long history of sand and gravel extraction, with earlier permissions covering extraction, restoration, processing and water-management infrastructure.

“Relevant Planning History: • Associated Section 73 applications reference C24/1125/34/AC is currently undetermined. • C24/1124/34/AC ‘Application under Section 73 for variation of condition 1 of planning permission reference C20/1063/22/AC (proposed eastern extension for the extraction for the extraction of sand and gravel and progressive restoration) to allow for 4-year extension for the completion of minerals operations and restoration.’ – Granted permission on…”

Officer report

Why officers supported it

Officers considered the extension acceptable because it secured mineral supplies, continued phased restoration and would not cause unacceptable landscape, amenity, ecological or flood-risk effects.

“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.”

“There have been no objections or concerns relating to drainage or flood risk in response to consultation with Natural Resources Wales or Lead Local Flood Authority and it is considered therefore that the proposal will not have a detrimental impact on the flood risk and complies with PCYFF 6 and the requirements of TAN 15 (2004).”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Public consultation received no comments, while consultees raised no objections overall and advised pollution prevention, biodiversity management and sensitive restoration.

“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 Officer explained the proposal, its policy benefits, environmental safeguards and recommended conditions.

Conditions attached

The conditions required operations to cease by 31 December 2028, restoration by 30 June 2029, and controls for working, drainage, noise, dust, ecology and access.

“Mineral extraction and processing will cease by 31 December 2028 by which time all plant and machinery shall have been removed from the site; restoration shall be completed by 30 June 2029. • Permitted Activities and Compliance with the Submitted Details/Plans. • Restriction on Permitted Development Rights, buildings, structures, erections, private roads floodlighting and fences. • Working Hours. • Soil Handling and Husbandry.”

“The principal means of transporting raw material from the working face to the processing plant shall be by means of a conveyor unless otherwise agreed.”

Minutes