HUNDREDS of campaigners fear a proposed new quarry site almost the size of 200 Olympic-sized swimming pools will result in their village being perceived negatively if the development goes ahead.
More than 200 residents formed a human-chain along Essex Way near Coggeshall on Saturday in protest of a planned mineral quarry project.
The activists claim the footprint of the scheme would be as big the “whole of Coggeshall itself”.
Jo Brindley, Coggeshall parish councillor and member of The Coggeshall Residents Against the Quarry (CRAQ), said the new 400-acre quarry would have a detrimental affect the whole village, which has about 3,000 residents.
She also said Essex County Council’s mineral plan has not had as much scrutiny than if it was a “normal planning application”.
Ms Brindley, who praised everyone who turned out “last minute” to the march, said: “It’s been a medieval wool town, Romans have been here, there are eight Grade I listed buildings.
"It’s a national historic asset and the assessment has no mention of this, the views, and the buildings.
“It would change how people perceive Coggeshall.”
Although Ms Brindley believes minerals are an important resource, she says there “has to be a balance” of where the minerals are and their impact.
She also said the fact the consultation for the scheme is only available online is “very bad” for people without internet access and the consultation and plans are “incredibly and difficult for normal human beings to grasp”.
Responding, councillor Lee Scott, cabinet member at ECC, said: “No decisions on the allocation of any sites have been made, and we will take the views of our communities fully into account as the Replacement Essex Minerals Local Plan is finalised.
“Like other Planning Authorities across the country, we are required to publish a Minerals Local Plan. This provides policies for minerals development in the county and identifies future sites for extraction or quarrying."
The closing date for the consultation is March 19 when all responses will be sent to Essex County Council.
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