Wick Quarry to become nature reserve
At Thursday 8th October’s meeting of South Gloucestershire’s DC East planning Committee approval was given to turn Wick Quarry into a nature reserve.
The radical proposal included wardens lodge (dwelling), greenhouse, poly tunnel, barns, machinery shed, workshop and office with welfare facilities, education centre and business and office units which would provide over 2000 square metres of space. The project could create as many as 84 jobs and restore the area, located within the Green Belt to a green area once more.
The planned nature reserve would provide educational opportunities for young people as well as take part in important natural conservation work.
The application received widespread support from the community, including a local resident who is a conservationist at UWE, Wick Parish Council, Doynton Parish Council and planning officers.
In addition, the two ward councillors for Boyd Valley, within which the quarry falls, spoke out strongly in favour of the nature reserve.
Councillor Steve Reade, who attended the planning committee’s sites visit to speak in favour, remarked: “I am delighted that the committee has given its approval for this application to go forward. I can’t imagine a better proposal to put the quarry back into use in a way which offers something so valuable to the local community.”
Councillor Ben Stokes, who spoke in favour at the committee’s meeting last night, commented: “The opportunity before us to turn what is frankly an eyesore into a nature reserve is one that couldn’t be passed up. This is a unique project that would have great benefit not only to the local area, but to the entire region. I am very excited to see this project going forward.”