Campaigners against the expansion of Top Quarry in Ketton hope that Rutland County Council will reject plans after a recent Supreme Court Judgement sets a precedent.  

The proposal by Heidelberg Materials to expand Top Grange Quarry at Ketton in Rutland for permission from Rutland County Council to extract minerals from more land near the quarry, as well as a 30-year expansion of the quarry's operations. 

This has been met by a large 'Stop Grange Quarry Expansion' campaign, with opponents to the plan concerned about the environmental and cultural impacts of the expansion on the local area. 

The decision was expected to be given by Rutland County Council on 31st October but has now been shelved until March 2025. 

Campaigners hope that a recent Supreme Court decision in Surrey is part of the reason the council has deferred the decision.  

In a landmark decision from June, the UK Supreme Court ruled that Surrey County Council's decision to grant planning permission to a developer was unlawful because the environmental impact assessment for the project did not include an assessment of the downstream greenhouse gas emissions. 

Known as R Finch vs Surrey County Council, the council's decision was challenged by local resident Sarah Finch, who applied for a judicial review of the council's decision. Finch argued that the council's failure to consider downstream greenhouse gas emissions did not comply with the UK's obligation to assess the effects of certain public and private projects on the surrounding environment. On 20th June 2024, the Supreme Court ruled with Ms Finch. 

Campaigners with 'Stop Grange Quarry Expansion' hope that this ruling will force Rutland Council to reconsider and potentially reject the application. 

Matthew Eatough, leader of Stop Grange Top Quarry Expansion, urges RCC to reject the application. (Photo: Stop Top Grange Quarry Expansion)

The fight against the plans is being led by Matthew Eatough, a long-time Rutlander, advised by the law firm Leigh Day, who wrote to Rutland Council to draw their attention to the Surrey Case. 

According to Matthew, "The huge, proposed expansion is unnecessary to meet housebuilding targets over the next ten years. 

"It would represent a massive destruction of beautiful countryside; it would deliver significant economic damage to Rutland's tourist industry and most importantly allowing it would represent an abandonment of all commitments to achieve Net Zero by Rutland County Council.  

"We strongly urge Rutland County Council to reject the application." 

Campaigners say views from Rutland Water Dam, Rutland Water Beach and the Hambleton Peninsula could be "spoilt" if Heidelberg Materials' plans are approved. 

They also fear Rutland Water, which this year became the first inland bathing water location in England to have a Blue Flag and Seaside Award but is just 2km from the proposed area of expansion, would be at greater risk of pollution. 

Rutland Water Reservoir is a Site of Specific Scientific Interest and recognised as an official wetland of international importance under the 1972 Convention on Wetlands. 

For more information on the campaign, visit the 'Stop Grange Top Quarry Expansion' website.