Gale Common Extraction Project, North Yorkshire

DWD is advising EP UK Investments on proposals to extract pulverised fuel ash (PFA) from the Gale Common ash disposal site in North Yorkshire. The proposals would also provide for the restoration of the site.

The Gale Common site extends to approximately 301 hectares in area and has been receiving PFA (the ash left after burning coal) from Eggborough and Ferrybridge ‘C’ coal-fired power stations since 1967. With the closure of these power stations the site is no longer receiving PFA. The site has been partly restored although the later stages of the ash disposal scheme remain uncapped.

PFA can be processed and manufactured into a sustainable and lightweight aggregate that has a range of uses. These include use as a part substitute for cement in concrete and the manufacture of building blocks, tiles and slabs as well as road and embankment construction. The use of PFA reduces the need to mine new ‘primary’ aggregates and also import aggregates from outside the UK.