Coles Quarry is a former limestone quarry on Backwell Hill, close to Church Town, within the Green Belt. The quarry is enclosed by its rock faces, local landform and established woodland. Cheston Combe and Backwell Hill Site of Nature Conservation Interest lies next to the site.
The site lies within Source Protection Zone 1, where the underlying fissured limestone makes groundwater particularly sensitive.
It also falls within consultation zones associated with greater and lesser horseshoe bats from the North Somerset and Mendip Bats Special Area of Conservation. The quarry and its surrounding woodland, scrub, grassland, rock faces and bare ground may provide habitats for bats and other wildlife.
Nearby heritage assets include the Grade I listed Church of St Andrew, the Grade II* listed Sores Court, the Grade II listed Hill View and Backwell Conservation Area. The quarry’s relationship with Church Town, the surrounding countryside and views of these historic places will therefore be important considerations.
Vehicle access is through Church Town and the local road network, which includes rural lanes, residential frontages and constrained routes. These surroundings are sensitive to additional HGV traffic, particularly where vehicles may meet pedestrians, cyclists, residents and other road users.
The proposal relates solely to the restoration of the former quarry. The site location shown below.
