MP highlights serious concerns about proposed quarry near Lutterworth during debate in Westminster
South Leicestershire MP Alberto Costa has highlighted serious concerns about a proposed quarry near Lutterworth during a debate in Westminster.
During the Planning Policy for Quarries debate, held at Westminster Hall, Mr Costa shared concerns about a proposed large-scale quarry at Misterton.
He told MPs that he recognised that quarrying was vital for housing, infrastructure and economic growth, but believed that regulatory frameworks were outdated, and not aligned with current scientific evidence.
Among the issues highlighted was a reliance on an air quality model from 2021, which Mr Costa claimed produced artificially low baselines.
He instead pointed to local monitoring by Harborough District Council, as well as the applicant’s own consultants, which showed higher background pollution levels which are close to or exceed future legal limits.
Mr Costa also criticised reliance on guidance from the Institute of Air Quality Management, which dates back almost a decade, particularly around the continued use of a 250-metre screening distance.
The MP also called for a review of the Quarries Regulations 1999, which he argued lagged behind modern safety practices, and did not provide adequate protection for the public.
“Quarries involve heavy machinery, airborne dust and complex site operations,” he said.
“They should be regulated with the same rigour we expect elsewhere, with clear accountability, formal risk assessment and a strong focus on protecting both workers and nearby communities.”
Mr Costa added: “I called for this debate because it has become clear that quarry regulations in this country are failing to keep pace with the latest science and public health standards.
“Residents in Lutterworth, Walcote, Cotesbach and the surrounding villages will rightly be disappointed by the Minister’s response, which did little to reassure them that the Government fully recognises the scale of the problem.
“I am one of many MPs who care deeply about this issue, and I will continue to lead the fight on behalf of our constituents.”
A spokesperson for Tarmac, who out forward the plans, said: “The site is intended as a direct replacement for Shawell Quarry, which has been operating for many years but where mineral reserve is nearing exhaustion, and takes account of adopted policies in the Leicestershire Minerals and Waste Local Plan. We take health concerns extremely seriously. The planning application was supported by an Environmental Impact Assessment, including a detailed air quality assessment, to ensure our proposals would be compliant with national standards for emissions.”