Flixton residents to see development of controversial quarry after plans approved despite objections

A controversial new quarry has been approved in Flixton, near Beccles, despite pushback from residents.

Before its approval this morning, the quarry first came before the Suffolk County Council committee on September 14, where it was deferred for a site visit.

The new development will act as an extension to the existing Flixton Park Quarry, to the west of Flixton, and be situated to the north-east of the village.

The plans estimate it will lead to the extraction of up to one million tonnes of sand and gravel over a five to six-year period.

During the first meeting, councillors heard from objector Claire Anderson, the owner of Nursery Cottage, a 17th-century grade-II property.

Ms Anderson said both she and her husband objected to the development ‘with every fibre’ of their being.

This morning, the committee not only got to hear from Ms Anderson again, who reiterated that the development had a ‘huge lack of public benefit’, but also from another resident, Diane Harris, who added the new quarry would have a ‘terrible impact in all sorts of ways’.

Specifically, the two residents were concerned about the flooding risk their properties would be under, particularly in the wake of Storm Babet’s destruction, increased traffic, and loss of amenity.

However, reports concluded there would be ‘no or negligible degree of damage’ to the residents’ properties.

While councillors were torn in September, this morning’s vote saw only two councillors vote against it.

Cllr Peter Beer, who moved to approve, said: “I feel that at the end of the day, all the experts have come out justifying it.

“I can’t see any reason for us not to approve this application.”