Arborfield Bridge Farm mining plans scrapped by Farley Estate

Bosses at Farley Estate, who together with construction company Cemex wanted to commence the work, confirmed they will not appeal Wokingham Borough Council’s August decision to refuse the proposal.

After months of speculation, today (Wednesday, November 13) Farley Farms & Estate posted on Facebook: “Our joint application with CEMEX to extract gravel from land southwest of Bridge Farm was rejected by the council at the end of August.

From the past: Farley Estate boss defends mining plans

“We have since reviewed our estate strategy and taken the decision not to renew Cemex’s option over our land which expires in December.

“This means that there will not be an appeal to the planning application and that any future plans to extract gravel from Farley Farms have been shelved.”

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In September, bosses at Wokingham Borough Council (WBC) confirmed they were preparing for an appeal from Farley Estate chiefs.

The site had been removed from a draft joint Minerals and Waste Plan set up with neighbouring authorities.

Planning experts had refused the works, which could have run for more than a decade, for several reasons.

These included potential harm to the environment and countryside and a lack of information demonstrating the development would not increase flood risk and would not harm wildlife or habitats.

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Hundreds of objections had come in from residents before the plans were thrown out.

Alan Marvin, from Swallowfield, told the News in July: "It [the proposal] has stopped people being able to sell their houses, downsize and move away.

“There is no reason for this appalling delay for two years.

“It is a beautiful part of the countryside and there is no need for it to be dug up.”

Natalie Gaibani, Farley Estate Chief Operating Officer, has been contacted for comment.