Planning Permission secured for a new Sand and Gravel Quarry in Norfolk

Heatons is pleased to announce that full planning permission has been granted for a new sand and gravel quarry in Norfolk, secured on behalf of Longwater Gravel, a family-run aggregate extraction and processing company based in the county.

The site extends over 40 hectares of agricultural land and is expected to yield up to 1.55 million tonnes of high-quality sand and gravel. This valuable resource will supply the local construction market for around 12 years, helping to maintain the Council’s landbank. Following extraction, the land will be fully restored back to agricultural use.

The scheme of mineral extraction has been carefully designed to operate in 6 phases, allowing for progressive restoration to take place alongside extraction. This phased strategy helps reduce the site’s environmental and visual impact, as well as ensuring that operations are completed in a timely manner.

Protection of the natural environment is a key priority of the scheme. The working scheme includes measures such as large buffers around retained trees and vegetation, limited hedgerow removal and ongoing surveys of protected species throughout operations. The creation of an artificial badger sett is one of several bespoke measures aimed at preserving local wildlife and ecological networks.

Another key consideration of the working scheme is the protection of residential amenity. The plant site is designed to be situated approximately 6m below the existing ground level, significantly reducing potential noise and dust emissions. Carefully positioned soil bunds will provide further visual screening, helping to integrate the site into the surrounding landscape and minimise disruption.

At the end of its operational life, the site will be restored to agricultural use with a focus on delivering biodiversity enhancements including strengthened field margins, high-value grassland, restored and additional hedgerow planting, tree planting, and the creation of an ephemeral wetland, providing both ecological and hydrological benefits.

We are pleased to support the continued growth of Longwater Gravel as a well-respected and established local employer within Norfolk County.