Quarry extensions 'will safeguard jobs'

The operators of Ropsley Quarry pledged to work with the community after hearing concerns from councillors

Plans to extend two quarries have been approved by Lincolnshire County Council.

At Ropsley Quarry, near Grantham, 1.9 million tonnes of limestone are due to be excavated over the next six-to-seven years.

Meanwhile, at Kettleby Quarry, near Caistor, 2.4 million tonnes of sand and gravel are set to be extracted over 14 years.

Applicants for both sites told the council's planning committee that the quarries were nearly exhausted and extensions would safeguard jobs for the future.

Johnston Quarry Group, which operates the Ropsley site, pledged to work with the community after hearing concerns from councillors, said the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Councillor Martin Hill, who represents the area, said he was worried about HGVs using unsuitable routes.

"The state of the road to the north is pretty grim and it's costing the council a lot to maintain a road not suitable for HGVs," he added.

Mark Sutherland, Johnston's general manager, said the company had entered into a voluntary legal agreement to send all HGVs by the best routes. Hauliers that failed to follow instructions would not be used again.

Breedon Trading, the company behind the Kettleby extension, faced questions about the loss of woodland.

Councillor Marianne Overton, who voted against the application, said she was "uneasy" about 16 hectares being felled "without adequate replacement".

Neil Kelly, speaking for the applicant, said the area eventually would be restored to a nature conservation area.

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