Tytherington quarry has been supplying much-needed building materials for use in the construction and maintenance of homes, schools, hospitals and roads for nearly 100 years, but operations are increasingly constrained. To make the most of the quarry’s existing reserves, we applied for planning permission to extract additional limestone from two areas within its existing boundary.
Our proposals sought to deepen the Woodleaze area as well as for the extraction of material from the southern area of the quarry under the existing soil store. Combined, this would provide around 6 million tonnes of additional limestone and allow operations to continue in the most efficient and sustainable way.
Following pre-application consultation with residents and stakeholders, we submitted our proposals for this 6Mt extension in June 2024 and South Gloucestershire Council (SGC) granted planning approval in April 2025. Following subsequent liaison with the council on the details, SGC confirmed in June 2026 that we have discharged all conditions – allowing us to proceed. Operations in the new areas are expected to start in late 2026.
Being part of South Gloucestershire’s future
Every council must have identified mineral reserves to provide the construction materials essential to society’s current and future needs.
Similarly, like all quarry operators, Heidelberg Materials is mindful of securing ongoing reserves and, at Tytherington, we have always been clear that developing the quarry is likely to take place in phases.
Our current thinking is that we will next bring forward proposals for mineral extraction in the area adjacent to Itchington Road, which is already included within SGC’s current mineral plan. We will need to seek approval from the council on the details of our proposed approach, and our planning application will include plans for linking this new area to the existing quarry.
To inform our thinking on this we are currently carrying out feasibility studies looking at the options. We’ll keep local residents and stakeholders up to date as our proposals develop and people will have a chance to have their say and shape our thinking ahead of an application being submitted to SGC. Existing consented reserves at Tytherington, plus an extension into this preferred area, would secure mineral extraction for at least 25 years.
We are also continuing discussions with SGC about the quarry’s long-term future and how it may dovetail with the council’s work on its Local Development Plan (LDP). Any future expansion is likely to be in a south-westerly direction, subject to SGC’s final LDP.
Going forward, we’ll keep the local community informed of our thinking, and, just as we did with the 6Mt proposals, we’ll seek the public’s views ahead of making any future planning applications.
FAQs
Q. Why do we need more limestone?
A: Limestone is essential for use in building materials to construct and maintain our homes, hospitals, schools, and roads, as well as the infrastructure needed for a low carbon future.
The UK uses around 250 million tonnes of aggregate a year. For example, building an average house needs 200 tonnes of aggregate and 12 tonnes of mortar. A floating offshore wind turbine uses 15,000 tonnes of concrete and, the Lower Thames Crossing has used 8.8 million tonnes of aggregates, concrete and asphalt.
The Mineral Products Association (MPA) has calculated that we each use the equivalent of 4 tonnes for every man, woman and child, every year.
Q: Why do you need to expand extraction at Tytherington quarry?
A: It’s all about geology. Quarries can only exist where the reserves naturally occur.
Extracting limestone in Tytherington goes back over 150 years and current permissions for extraction extend to 2042. Today our quarry supplies around 2.25 million tonnes of aggregate per year for use in making ready-mixed and precast concrete products, as well as asphalt for use in road construction and maintenance.
The approved 6Mt extension is all about securing steady supplies in the short term. However, looking ahead, Tytherington quarry will remain strategically important, both as a source of nationally significant limestone and as one of a few rail-connected sites.
Q: How does quarrying fit with a low carbon agenda?
A: Minerals play a vital role in the construction of the infrastructure needed to support the country’s switch to a low carbon economy. Plus, aggregates are also still needed to maintain existing building and infrastructure.
We’re committed to achieving net zero across our business by 2050 and we’re making good progress. We ensure the most efficient use of resources through high levels of materials’ reuse and recycling as part of our commitment to growing the circular economy. But primary material, including limestone, is still needed to ensure building materials’ strength, integrity and durability in a wide range of applications.
Q: Will there be any more HGVs or trains as a result of the 6Mt extension?
A: No. Our proposals are about maintaining supplies and beyond the quarry gate residents will see little change. There will be no changes to HGV numbers and the volume of aggregates transported by rail will remain the same. For us it’s business as usual.
Q: Will blasting deeper mean blasts will be felt more?
A: Extraction at Tytherington quarry would have taken place at similar depth levels in the former part of the quarry known as North Face in the early 2000’s, so in that respect, what we are proposing is nothing new.
When it comes to blasting, the UK has very strict regulations, and modern blasting and drilling techniques are designed to minimise vibration and air over pressure. It is also in the quarry operator’s interest to reduce both ground and airborne vibration from blasting to the minimum possible, as this substantially increases the efficiency of the process.
At Tytherington quarry we already comply fully with the strict blasting protocols, and this means that there is no risk to people or property. Plus, our specialist modelling indicates that excavating at deeper levels in Woodleaze, and in the former soil store, will not impact on how blasts are experienced by our near neighbours at Tytherington.
Q: When will you bring forward proposals for the next extension phase at Tytherington?
A: We have always been clear that future extension at Tytherington quarry is likely to be in phases to the south west of the existing quarry. The next area of focus for us is an area adjacent to Itchington Road that has previously been allocated for mineral extraction in SGC’s current Policies, Sites and Places (PSP) plan. This could include the potential for around a further 20Mt of extraction.
We are currently carrying out the environmental studies that will help shape future proposals, including on the need to link this new extraction area to the quarry, while accommodating existing infrastructure.
We will share our approach with local people and carry out pre-application consultation before submitting proposals to SGC. The council will also carry out its own public consultation ahead of determining our application.
We do not have a timeline for this at present, but are committed to sharing updates on our thinking with residents in due course.
Q: What other areas have been identified for future extraction at Tytherington quarry?
A: As a part of our ongoing discussions with SGC to support its need to have a steady and adequate supply of minerals over the long term, a third possible extension area at Tytherington has been identified for inclusion in SGC’s draft Local Development Plan (LDP). It is very early days for this and would be subject to SGC’s final LDP.