New phase in Westdown quarry campaign

A CAMPAIGN to protect 274 acres of habitat has won new legal ground in recent weeks, but campaigners need to raise a further £8,000 to drive these victories home.

Heidelberg (formerly Hanson) submitted three planning applications to quarry Westdown limestone and another to dispose of the soil in Asham, in May 2021, and all three environmental statutory consultees, plus Somerset Wildlife Trust, objected. The quarry company adjusted its applications last month, with a resulting two-week consultation.

Richard Mawer who commissioned a legal opinion about the application from a King’s Council (KC) on behalf of the campaign explained, “Our KC’s opinion shows that Heidelberg do not have permission from the 1940s to dump spoil from Westdown into Asham (burying 40 years of regeneration).

“Somerset Council’s legal team seemingly agree, hence the revised applications. Heidelberg lawyers produced a (weak) rebuttal. We need another opinion to give planning committee members a bullet proof legal case and urge Somerset Council to determine the Asham application and refuse it, not leave it ‘in abeyance’. We hope that people will get behind the crowdfunder and help us achieve this.”

The fundraiser, complete with an overview of the campaign and a comprehensive update on recent developments, will launch on the Crowdjustice website under ‘Protect Westdown’, on Thursday 14th December.

Christmas street art treasure trail

Covert Crafters, an artists’ collective set on raising awareness about endangered local wildlife through the power of felt, is hosting its inaugural meeting on the evening of Friday 15th December and they are inviting residents to help create a Christmas street art treasure trail.

The group says, “There’s a hidden world of amazing creatures on our doorstep here in Frome, but they’re being threatened by plans for a new megaquarry at Westdown. So, we want to tell their story around the town.”

People can sign up to the Covert Crafters event here: https://actionnetwork.org/events/hibernation-felting-guided-workshop-on-dormice-and-bat-making. It will be at the Good Heart Cafe, Frome from 7pm- 9pm on Friday 15th December.

They can hear the latest on the campaign at the webinar on the evening of Wednesday 13th December : https://actionnetwork.org/events/westdown-quarry-update-and-next-steps/

Covert Crafters founder Chris Taylor explained, “We’re inviting anyone who loves wildlife or enjoys a crafting session to get stuck in. Together we’ll be making small but perfectly formed pieces for a Christmas street art treasure trail. No previous experience necessary. We’ll be guiding folks through a set of simple steps, accompanied by tea, chat, mild sedition and dormice. Come release your fluffy inner Banksy!”

The group says the project is part of over two years of community campaigning to prevent the destruction of unique ecosystems next to the largest remaining section of the Mendip Great Wood at Asham, outside Nunney.