Sand and gravel quarry at Land To South-east Of Dykeside Farm Birnie, Elgin

“This application seeks planning permission for the extraction of sand and gravel by quarrying, aggregate processing and the operation of a ready-mix concrete plant, on land located to the south-east of Dykeside Farm, Birnie, Elgin. • The quarry would produce washed and graded aggregates suitable for construction uses, e.g. in ready-mix concrete, along with sand suitable for concrete and general-purpose uses.”

“The site would be worked in eight phases. • Soils would be stored in peripheral screening mounds on the site boundary and within the storage mound in the north-western corner of the site. As operations proceed, any overburden (i.e. non-sand and gravel, clay materials) encountered within the excavation area will be placed in the storage mound in the north-western corner of the site.”

“The proposed quarry is situated on agricultural land at Dykeside Farm in the parish of Birnie 1.5 km south of Elgin. • The site area is 13.59 ha, with 11.59 ha proposed for excavation. • The proposed quarry site is bordered by the C2E Elgin to Birnie Road to the east, with agricultural land beyond. To the south, the U117E road connects Elgin to Birnie Road to Paddockhaugh, with arable farmland immediately adjacent.”

“24/00058/PAN - Proposal of Application Notice for proposed formation of quarry extraction and processing of sand and gravel and production of ready-mix concrete at the site. Responses dated 31 January and 20 March 2024 confirmed consultation arrangements and publicity events to be acceptable and provided feedback from the Planning and Regulatory Services Committee to be considered in the preparation of the application.”

“23/02120/SCN & 21/02121/SCO – Screening Opinion adopted 16 December 2021 for proposed formation of quarry extraction and processing of sand and gravel and production of ready-mix concrete; assessment confirmed the proposal to be a Schedule 2 development but not likely to result in significant environmental effects, and therefore not requiring to be subject to EIA procedures.”

“NPF4 Policy 33 Minerals and MLDP Policy DP10 Minerals would only consider such development favourably where it did not result in any significant adverse impacts. Where the proposal would introduce a significant change to the landscape through the extraction of sand and gravel and installation of a concrete ready-mix batching plant into the Countryside Around Towns designation, to the detriment of the rural landscape and its character where the open rural character is…”

“On resumption of the meeting, the Service Manager Legal Services advised that, should the Committee be minded to agree the amendment put forward by Councillor Macrae to grant planning permission in respect of Planning Application 25/00354/MIN, then the Appointed Officer would require delegated authority to prepare a full schedule of conditions, and, through the Chair, asked Mr MacPherson, Acting Service Manager Planning and Building Standards to summarise the proposed…”

“After considering the advice from the Service Managers for both Legal Services and Planning and Building Standards, both Councillors Macrae and Colyer agreed to include the agreement of delegated authority to the Appointed Officer to prepare a suite of conditions for the development.”

“The proposed development, by virtue of its presence within the Elgin Countryside Around Towns (CAT) designation would sit within a landscape restricted from development and vulnerable to development pressure bringing it into conflict with MLDP Policies DP1 Development Principles, PP1 Placemaking and EP3 Special Landscape Areas ii) Landscape Character and NPF4 Policy 4 Countryside Around Towns a) Natural Places.”

“The development being proposed within the Elgin (CAT) designation lies within an area where development must generally be prohibited to maintain the distinction between the defined settlement boundary of Elgin and the surrounding open countryside.”