Dorset’s Main Crushed Stone Quarry has its life extended for a further 25 years
Suttle Stone Quarries have officially opened their quarry extension. Swanworth Quarry, which at capacity was supplying approximately 50% of Dorset’s required crushed limestone to the area, ran out of stone at the end of 2024 having run on limited reserves since 2022. After a lengthy planning period, approval for the quarry extension was granted by Dorset Council in December 2022, a process which began as far back as 2012.
Now open, this extension area will produce 2.4 million tonnes of Dorset Limestone which will be used in a variety of different sectors; sub-base for highways and construction schemes, rock armour for sea defences, gabion stone and decorative chippings for house builders and domestic customers. To access the extension area a bridge has been built allowing the quarried stone to be brought over to the crusher which is still located in the original quarry. The bridge was officially opened in the middle of January, with a low key ceremony attended by some of the team members that have worked over the last few months to get the extension operational. Director John Suttle commented:
“Our Family have been quarrying in the Isle of Purbeck since the 1920’s, purchasing Swanworth Quarry in 2011. We are passionate about our industry, it’s rich history within the Isle of Purbeck and the people that work in it. The Swanworth Quarry extension not only guarantees the supply of aggregates to our loyal customers in the local area, but it also secures jobs for our existing team long into the future, many of which have been with us for many years. We couldn’t be happier with the opening of the extension area or more excited for the future of Swanworth Quarry!”
Suttles is a family-run ethical business with sustainability at the core of its values, employing over 100 staff in Dorset. Suttles comprises a group of companies including Suttle Stone Quarries and Suttle Projects, with 4 operating sites based across Dorset, including two in the Isle of Purbeck, and sites at Mannings Heath and Hamworthy, Poole. Suttle Stone Quarries offers the sale and delivery of crushed limestone and aggregates for architectural, landscaping, and civil engineering applications; gabion and rock armour, used in coastal and waterways protections schemes; earthworks collection services; and an inert waste recycling facility. Suttle Projects offers national civil engineering, earthworks, piling and marine solutions.