The fight to stop plans the Ellenbrook Quarry have continued with a town hall meeting, with residents and local politicians raising concerns that the scheme would destroy a "green oasis".

An initial application by Brett Aggregates to build on the former Hatfield Aerodrome site was refused by Hertfordshire County Council, with the Planning Inspectorate dismissing an appeal in January 2022.

But, a second application for the quarry was submitted in September this year, with the fight to stop it stepping up.

The Ellenbrook Area Residents Association and Smallford Residents Association joined together to discuss the Ellenbrook plans at a town hall meeting on Wednesday, October 25, with the application set to be considered by Hertfordshire County Council’s Development Control Committee tomorrow (Tuesday, October 31).

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Residents gathered at Howe Dell Hall for the meeting.Residents gathered at Howe Dell Hall for the meeting. (Image: Lee Towson)

"We have been fighting this application for the last seven years, including at a full planning inquiry," said SRA chairman Craig Tallents.

"Despite the applicant losing at every stage, they still come back with no regard to the decisions already made nor for the health of the local residents and their mental wellbeing.

"The pursuit of profit put once again above the interests of people. There has been no consultation, no engagement just the blind belief that we should accept their quarry and be grateful for all the risk that it brings to us as residents."

Concerns were raised about noise, dust and traffic pollution, with EARA's Mike Hartung pointing out that harmful bromate at the site contaminate the water supply in the area.

"The area is home to the largest bromate contamination in Europe," he said.

"The risk is that the extra deep extraction activities being pushed for by Brett will disturb the chemicals and cause it to enter the underground water supply and nearby rivers, causing harm to residents, wildlife and a large part of London’s drinking water."

There was also support for residents from all three major political parties, with Welwyn Hatfield Labour parliamentary candidate Andrew Lewin, and representatives for Conservative Welwyn Hatfield MP Grant Shapps and St Albans' Lib Dem MP Daisy Cooper all attending the meeting.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Andrew Lewin speaking at the meeting.Andrew Lewin speaking at the meeting. (Image: Lee Towson)

READ MORE: Second quarry plans submitted for Hatfield Aerodrome

"Ellenbrook Fields is a green oasis in Hatfield. It is a site that I want to see remain as a country park, not turned into a quarry," said Mr Lewin. 

"The landowner seeks approval to run a quarry for 40 years, but has failed to address key questions on public health, pollution and the long-term impact on Hatfield residents.

"I don't want to see this planning submission go any further and will support local residents as best I can."

A statement read out on behalf of Ms Cooper added: "The dangers to health from quarries of this nature so close to where people live are well-documented.

"Although I’ve campaigned to change the law to prevent quarries being approved in close proximity to homes, the government have failed to act.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Ellenbrook Park.Ellenbrook Park. (Image: Image: Vanessa Adorni Meader)

"It’s time for county councillors to step up and prevent the devastating air and potential groundwater pollution this proposal could bring."

Residents have also contacted this newspaper regarding concerns around silica dust, a carcinogenic that has been described as "the new asbestos".

"Silica dust will be created during quarry works, adding to the existing levels of pollution," one resident said.

"Silica dust is carcinogenic and we do not wish to breathe it in. It is our right not to be poisoned.

"This dust will affect everyone in the surrounding area, including Howe Dell Primary School, the University of Hertfordshire and all local residents and visitors."

Another added: "The Health and Safety Executive have clearly stated the following high risk of exposure to silica dust for construction workers.

"Local residents of all ages, living in close proximity to this carcinogenic hazard will be exposed to it every working day of the year, with no respiratory protection."

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Concerns were raised about pollution at the meeting.Concerns were raised about pollution at the meeting. (Image: Lee Towson)