We WILL listen and we want to do what is best. That is the commitment from the local company which will be putting in an application to grow the local Torr quarry.

But on the way they want to hear from locals, councillors and environmental groups, so that those plans are as sympathetic to the local community as possible.

Shepton Mallet Nub News went to an early show of their new public exhibition, for an extension of the works which would see an additional area of around eight-hectares of quarrying within the existing Torr Quarry area alongside the A361.

We spoke to Chris Herbert, who is the Planning Manager (South) for Aggregate Industries, about what they are calling a " small extension ", in addition they are promising it will mean NO extra lorries, no extra dust and no extra noise.

The area earmarked to be dug is to the north east of the current site and is already a blockworks which could be relocated to another site alongside the A361. There WILL be some natural habitat lost - some trees and a bridal path will need to be re-routed - but the company are very keen to stress that the environmental impact will be minimal.

Chris who has around 30 years experience in the industry explained it as " involving a wedge in the corner of the existing quarry."

Torr works is in the triangle between Shepton Mallet, Frome and Radstock , and is a vital supplier of aggregate - the largest single quarry in the Mendips. It is also a major employer, having a direct workforce of 93, including seven newly-joined apprentices, in addition to over 50 contractors working on site, not to mention the support workers for those contractors.

The company says the expansion is simply to keep up the existing levels of production, furthermore they will make good commitments to the local natural habitat and potentially, create a lake structure once the quarrying is completed.

One key question - will it lead to an increase in existing traffic?

"No," says Chris. " There are existing controls imposed on Torr, and the output of the quarry will NOT change. This expansion is solely to support existing levels of output. The vast proportion of stone from Torr is loaded onto trains and goes to London - or the South East - an area which relies very heavily on our output, over four million tonnes every year. Just over a million tonnes a year goes more locally, to regional areas by road and that will not change."

Aggregate Industries UK are planning on asking Somerset County Council for planning permission to extend the existing Torr works which they took over in 2006. If successful the new area within the quarry site would release approximately 11 million tonnes of carboniferous limestone.

"But that new part of quarrying does not move it any closer to any local settlements. " said Chris. " All the existing dust, blasting and working limits will continue. That is a promise. We have conditions imposed on us by Somerset and we will comply with those. In terms of the environmental impact, our plans show that yes, we will be losing some woodland but equally we will be do new areas of planting."

The company says it wants to offer as much detail and answer as many questions as possible

What happens to Torr product now?

"It goes into asphalt into making roads, things like that, foundations for buildings, called scalpings. Our product is used in all sectors of the construction market. It is driven by the need from society. Minerals are such an important part of every day life, in terms of roads and railways that people travel on, the homes you live in, the shops and hospitals you visit...all of those are built using aggregate and that is what we see. Yes we are a business but we are meeting demand so it is important to remember the contribution quarries make to the economy."

The application should be lodged with Somerset once the revisions are made, following the public feedback, in August and if successful it is hoped that the decision would be made and the extension works active by the first quarter of 2023.

The company already works with Somerset Wildlife Trust

Aggregate Industries has already committed to a long standing relationship with Somerset environmental groups and is a member of the Mineral Products Association which states a commitment to the Natural Environment with stated aims:

• Biodiversity: protect and enhance biodiversity and deliver net gain wherever possible
• Land Restoration: restore land to high quality and undertake good aftercare
• Natural Capital: protect natural capital and enhance where possible 
• Geodiversity: protect geodiversity and enhance where possible 
• Heritage: protect national and local heritage assets appropriately 

More locally, Aggregate which will lose the automatic right to quarry at Torr when the licence expires in 2040, already works on local projects including environmental work at Norwood Fields, Cranmore Reservoir and the Shute Tip project which works to create butterfly banks.

Summing up the company's ethos, Chris said: " We want people to feel that we are here to listen and if people have got concerns we can provide them with the answers on what and why we are doing what we are doing. And how we will protect the environment as much as we can."

The public exhibition is at the Torr works Friday July 22 4-8 pm and Saturday July 23 from 9am until 1pm. For more details e mail [email protected]