A well-attended meeting at Frome Rugby Club heard Professor Geoffrey Walton of PGW Associates describe some planning and technical issues of quarry reclamation for built development. He began by outlining the potential advantages of developing in a worked out or disused quarry. They generally had good access, were often secluded and with pressure for housing did not use agricultural land. He listed over forty development options. In a survey of UK quarries he found that only about three hundred had any development, whereas there were some four to five thousand 'unused' ones. He then gave some reasons as to why there was not more development in quarries. These ranged from local opposition, pressures for nature conservation and urban encroachment. However one of the main problems was the matter of land and mineral ownership.

He then discussed in detail the principal technical issues, namely access, slope stability, foundations, ground/surface water, services in hard rock and environmental constraints. He gave examples of each of these and how they had been addressed in various locations. He outlined other considerations such as emergency access, dealing with sewage, vandalism and nature conservation.

The Professor then gave a detailed account of a proposed development at Penlee Quarry in Cornwall. This would consist of a marina, housing, hotel and commercial complex. He described the work undertaken so far, the problems encountered and how they have been overcome.

In order to undertake such developments one needs to have a proper 3-D survey, find out about the history of the quarry, including interviews with ex-employees, undertake hazard appraisals and investigate groundwater issues. He argued you also need joined-up thinking, and how geotechnical engineers could reduce the costs. He warned strongly about getting architects involved since they had little concept of hazards! He made the point very strongly that late stage quarrying could greatly facilitate and simplify later development.

This talk by a very knowledgeable and enthusiastic speaker was concluded with a lively question and answer session. These ranged from reasons for objections to the development, the economic advantages it could bring particularly in terms of employment to an economically deprived region, and the arguments against the use of netting and rock-bolting.