PLANS for new quarries to extract minerals are to go out for public consultation.

Residents are being invited to have their say on potential locations for future mineral sites at Gallows Hill and Philliol’s Farm in Bere Regis, Henbury Farm in Sturminster Marshall and Swanworth Quarry in Worth Matravers. 

A number of possible sites were included in the consultation last summer 2015 but there are four new or amended sites now open for consultation. 

A separate consultation is also being carried out to let people have their say on waste facilities.

These proposals include new or improved household recycling facilities or transfer stations in Blandford, Ferndown, Gillingham, Dorchester and Wareham 

There is also a need for new facilities to treat black bag waste and bulky waste and Ferndown and Woolsbridge in East Dorset, Mannings Heath and Canford Magna in Poole and Parley in Christchurch are being considered for this.

Two sites are also being considered for extensions to sewage treatment works at Maiden Newton and Gillingham. 

Land at Bourne Park, Piddlehinton, is being considered for green waste composting and Swanworth Quarry is being considered for additional quantities of inert filling within the exiting quarry. 

Cllr Peter Finney, Dorset County Council’s cabinet member for the environment, said: “We strongly encourage people to give us their views on the proposals over the next eight weeks. This will help us to decide on the most suitable sites to take forward to protect the environment and also building a sustainable economy for the future.”

Submit comments online at www.dorsetforyou.com/consultation or call the minerals and waste planning policy team on 01305 228585 or email mwdf@dorsetcc.gov.uk
The consultation ends on July 21.