South Leicestershire MP Alberto Costa has called for action to address local concerns over activities taking place at two former quarry sites in the village of Sapcote.
Following widespread concerns about the alleged draining of water and unauthorised dumping of materials at the Granitethorpe and Sapcote quarries in the village, Alberto organised a virtual Zoom meeting with senior representatives from the Environment Agency, Blaby District Council, Leicestershire County Council and Leicestershire Police to discuss an action plan for the sites.
The landowner of the sites has previously been the subject of enforcement notices after a hedgerow was illegally removed and Leicestershire County Council also threatened legal action over unauthorised dumping in 2016.
Alberto said, “This was a very useful and productive meeting with the agencies present, and I am hopeful, with a firm action plan now in place, that good progress can now be made in bringing the activities taking place at Granitethorpe and Sapcote under some control. Many residents living nearby in Sapcote village have had long-standing and very serious complaints about the alleged activities at the quarries, and of course, if unauthorised acts are taking place then the appropriate action needs to be taken as soon as possible”.
Blaby District and Leicestershire County Councillor for Sapcote, Cllr Maggie Wright added, “This is an issue that has been of serious concern to residents in Sapcote for some time. The quarry is a lovely, natural area that needs protecting, any unauthorised activities will no doubt have a detrimental impact on the local ecosystems at the quarry, and we all need assurances that nothing is being done to contaminate the waters that may be linked to other sites such as Stoney Cove”.
Alberto concluded, “A number of constituents have been in touch with my office on this matter in recent months and it goes without saying that both the Granitethorpe and Sapcote quarries need to be closely monitored to ensure no harmful activities are being carried out. These are picturesque natural sites that are no doubt important parts of the local ecosystem and once damage has been done, it cannot be reversed, hence why firm and decisive action is needed quickly should it be required”.
Alberto is pictured above speaking in the House of Commons Chamber.
