AN "IGNORANT" plan to dig up 20 million tonnes of gravel and sand has been approved.
Following a cross-party protest in the district and an inspector's intervention, the divisive Essex Minerals Local Plan was given the green light at a full county council meeting.
The plan will see about 56 per cent of 40.67 million tonnes of gravel and sand for infrastructure developments across the county extracted from Braintree.
"It flies in the face of logic and of the county council's own policies," said Labour councillor for Witham North Philip Barlow.
"It's a disappointing outcome, but I'm afraid I find that the county council as a corporate body is quite happy to be ignorant to local feelings."
Sites in Braintree earmarked to become gravel pits include a 46-hectare area in Colemans Farm in Rivenhall End, Rivenhall Airfield, sites at Bradwell quarry and the 90-hectare quarry at Broadfield Farm in Rayne – a former Essex Village of the Year.
It is estimated about 800 lorries will pass through the district annually to transport materials.
Mr Barlow said: "My understanding is that some of our sites were put in reserve but that is only a small consolation for people of this district who have to suffer this. The county network of roads will also suffer.
"Essex is already a heavily used network and the B1018 between Braintree and Witham is either the most or second most busy road in Essex. I won't be surprised if further lorries make it worse."
The initial proposal was given the go-ahead at a cabinet meeting in August to replace the outdated plan adopted by Essex County Council in 1997.
The project sparked a cross-party protest in Braintree, which included Conservative district council leader Graham Butland breaking county council ranks.
Independent inspector Brian Sims started a six-week consultation in February as he thought the current plan was "excessive".
Yet he made only three modifications, including labelling two sites at Bradwell as "reserves".
Conservative Braintree councillor for Panfield Peter Tattersley said: "It's quite clear the county council have to make continued plans to make sure we have enough gravel for the next 20 odd years but I have a lot of sympathy with people living nearby.
"You have to strike a balance."
Conservative councillor for Three Colnes Chris Siddall said he was prepared to accept the plan after the inspectorate labelled the two Bradwell sites as reserves.
"We would have liked him to have gone further but we accept there does need to be provisions made around Essex."
Other sites earmarked for use in Essex include Fiveways in Colchester, Sunnymead in Alresford, Little Bullocks Farm in Little Canfield, Maldon Road in Birch, Blackley Quarry in Great Leighs, Shellow Cross in Roxwell and Slough Farm in Martells.
Landowners must apply for planning permission before extracting minerals.
Essex County Council cabinet member for planning John Jowers said: "We are confident this plan will support Essex as it grows, without having a negative impact on our environment."
