**Shropshire Quarry Agrees to Weekend Restrictions to Protect Prisoners’ Rest**
A sand and gravel quarry in Shropshire has been granted permission to expand its operations, but only after agreeing new restrictions on its weekend working hours in response to concerns raised by a nearby prison. The decision comes after talks between Grundon Sand & Gravel and officials from HMP Stoke Heath, whose inmates sought relief from early morning noise on Saturdays.
HMP Stoke Heath, a Category C prison and young offenders’ institution near Market Drayton, objected to original proposals for the quarry’s expansion that would have allowed work to start as early as 7am on Saturdays. Prison governors said they worried the noise from quarrying activities—including heavy machinery and possible blasting—could disrupt the prison’s weekend routine and diminish inmates’ quality of life.
The prison, which houses over 700 men and young offenders, allows inmates a later start on Saturdays, permitting them to sleep beyond the standard weekday wake-up time of 7.30am. In a letter submitted to Shropshire Council by Cushman & Wakefield on behalf of His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS), prison leaders articulated their concerns. They stated, “On Saturdays, prisoners are permitted to sleep in beyond 7.30am. HMPPS are therefore concerned that prisoners are likely to experience some level of disruption to their sleep from the operations taking place from 7am.”
The quarry, operated by Grundon Sand & Gravel, sought permission last August to extend its Tern Hill site, with the aim to extract an estimated 1.2 million tonnes of sand and gravel over the next 15 years—approximately 80,000 tonnes per annum. Additionally, plans were included to install a solar farm, which would supply renewable electricity both for the site’s operations and the national grid.
After negotiations, Grundon Sand & Gravel amended its application to satisfy the prison’s request: the new proposal states that all operations on Saturdays must now begin after 9am, ensuring prisoners are not disturbed during their extended rest. The company also confirmed that no quarry activity would take place on Sundays.
This revised application went before Shropshire Council’s northern planning committee this week, where it received unanimous approval. The committee’s decision accompanies a broader suite of management controls, imposed as planning conditions, to help safeguard the welfare of the local community—including the prison, RAF installations, and residential dwellings.
A planning officer’s report noted that while there would be some visible impact from the expansion and a modest increase in traffic, the overall effects should be within acceptable limits. “The site design, implemented in phases, will help minimise local disturbance. There are some impacts from the scale of the proposed activity and new vehicle movements, but these are considered manageable when balanced against broader economic and environmental gains,” the report read.
Further benefits highlighted in the approval included the direct creation of five full-time local jobs, with the potential for six part-time positions through associated contracts. The use of on-site renewable energy infrastructure is also expected to deliver a substantial net gain in local biodiversity and contribute to regional sustainability targets.
Local representatives appear satisfied with the compromise, which seeks to balance the economic need for raw materials and jobs, while respecting the rights and routines of those living and working next door to industrial operations. Grundon Sand & Gravel’s willingness to adapt its plans reflects a wider trend in UK planning, where community considerations and environmental responsibilities increasingly shape the dialogue around new developments.
HMP Stoke Heath remains an important institution in the region, providing both secure accommodation and rehabilitation for young men and adult prisoners. The decision this week underlines how seemingly routine planning matters can have a significant impact on unexpected parts of a community—highlighting the complexity and compromise often required in local government decisions.
As the quarry begins its extended operations—with sleepy Saturdays now secured for inmates—Shropshire Council and local stakeholders will be closely monitoring the unfolding partnership between industry and community, mindful of the need to maintain a delicate balance in the years ahead.