Quarry operations extension at Blackhillock Quarry, Keith

“This application under section 42 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 seeks to vary the terms of condition 2 and 11 of planning permission 03/01286/MIN, granted on 12 February 2004 for the expansion of working area of Blackhillock Quarry, Keith. • A 1.98-hectare extension to Blackhillock Quarry was granted planning consent in February 2026 (25/00917/APP).”

“Condition 11 provides that no extraction shall occur beyond 6 months of the date of the consent unless details showing the proposed extraction levels of the site have been submitted to and approved by the planning authority. The current application seeks to vary this condition to provide for working to take place in accordance with the proposed amended site design.”

“The site is a working quarry extending to approx. 10.33 hectares (including recently approved extension). • Areas of the original consent (03/01286/MIN) are now occupied by the Trunk Roads Depot or are part of the permission (22/00499/APP) for the adjacent Cairdshill Quarry. • The site is located approx. 1.6 km to the south of Keith.”

“The site is bounded by Cairdshill Quarry to the east, the Amey Keith Roads Depot to the northwest, a minor public road immediately to the north, and agricultural land to the south and southwest. The A96 lies further to the east and the Blackhillock substation further to the west. • The nearest dwellings to the site are Blackhillock Cottages, located approx. 20m from the site boundary.”

“Application site - Blackhillock Quarry 25/00917/APP - Application for planning permission for extension to southern boundary of the existing quarry – granted planning permission recently under delegated powers.”

“05/0809/MIN – Application for planning permission for extension to southern boundary of the existing quarry at Blackhillock Quarry – granted planning permission 27 February 2006 under delegated powers.”

“Conclusion and Recommendation This application relates to the proposed extension of the duration of an existing permission and to provide for working to take place in accordance with proposed amended site design for Blackhillock Quarry. This is necessary for the recently approved extension (25/00917/APP) to Blackhillock Quarry.”

“The proposed variation to conditions 2 and 11 of planning consent 03/01286/MIN to extend the operational life of the existing permitted site until 31 October 2040 and to provide for working to take place in accordance with proposed amended site design, subject to other updated conditions, is considered to comply with relevant policies of National Planning Framework 4 and the Moray Local Development Plan 2020, and there are no material considerations that indicate otherwise.”

“The proposal seeks to extend the operational lifetime of the existing quarry within its currently approved footprint to allow for the approved extension to the quarry (25/00917/APP) to operate. There are no changes to the nature of operations or to the conditions under which the quarry currently operates.”

“As detailed in the assessment and set out in the accompanying report, the continuation of quarrying activities would not result in any unacceptable adverse impacts on either the natural or built environment. All potential effects associated with the development have previously been considered and are adequately controlled through the conditions attached to the existing planning permissions.”

“Environmental Health – No objection subject to conditions (if permitted) relating to permitted quarry operating hours, noise levels, blasting operations, ground vibrations and dust management.”

“Transportation Manager – No objection subject to conditions (if permitted) related to a visibility splay, vehicle routing and no water or loose material being carried onto the public road.”

“Following consideration, the Committee unanimously agreed to grant planning permission in respect of Planning Application 25/00916/APP subject to the following conditions and reasons:”

“The permission hereby granted shall be for a limited period only and shall cease on 31 October 2040 (the ‘cessation’ date).”

“Unless otherwise agree in writing with the Council, as Planning Authority, the development must comply with condition 11 relating to vehicle routing of planning permission (reference number 99/00130/FUL) approved on the 21 October 1999 and Condition 9 of planning permission 03/01286/MIN approved on 12 February 2004.”