RMC pushes ahead at Turf Knowe

Northern Aggregates' plan for a gravel quarry in the Breamish Valley, Northumberland, is going ahead.

Despite claims that a quarry could endanger Northumberland's ancient burial sites at Turf Knowe, the RMC subsidiary company is pushing ahead with its application for planning permission to establish the new quarry.

Archaeological digs in the Turf Knowe area during the past three years have uncovered an intact funeral urn inside the cairn and human bones outside, supporting claims that it was once an ancient burial ground.

Objections to RMC's plans have been raised by Durham University's Ingram and Upper Breamish Valley Landscape Project, Berwick Borough Council, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Northumberland National Park, and members of the public.

According to a report last week, however, an environmental statement compiled by the National Rivers Authority, the Northumberland Wildlife Trust and Oxford Archaeological Associates has come out in favour of the scheme.

RMC claimed that the quarry will supply the needs of local works in the hard-hit construction industry of the north east.

RMC and Northern Aggregates' history in Northumberland stretches back to the 1970s when the group bought the rights to extract sand from Druridge Bay, a project which also saw it face heavy opposition from the local Northumberland community.