As you will be aware, Essex County Council’s Minerals & Waste Plan is due for review and is, subsequently, currently under consultation. This includes the possibility of a site in the local area being used to yield one million tonnes of aggregate (c/f 4.31 million tonnes annually for Essex).

This site is designated as A63 in the consultation and is more commonly known as Patch Park. Lying between Passingford Roundabout and Abridge, if it is launched as a gravel extraction area, this would have an effect on the neighbouring council areas including Stapleford Abbotts, due to the use of already busy local roads by heavy lorries and other plant traffic.

Residents have already been offered a right to reply onwww.essex.gov.uk/minerals-review If you are concerned about the consultation, or want to find out more, there is to be a public meeting at Theydon Bois Village Hall, on Wednesday March 6 at 8pm.