Noise and disruption fears over new quarry plans

The proposed site for the quarry is currently a pig farm

Fears have been raised that a proposed new quarry near Elgin could drive people away from a rural community.

Aberdeen-based firm Leiths (Scotland) Ltd has submitted a planning application to Moray Council for the sand and gravel quarry and cement works.

Residents have said the site near the village of Thomshill is less than a 330ft (100m) from some people's homes and the noise and dust would cause people to move away.

Leiths planning application said there would be no significant noise or dust impacts. BBC Scotland News has approached them for comment.

The Dykeside Farm Quarry, about two miles (3km) south of Elgin, is expected to be operational for about 17 years.

Some 50,000 tonnes of gravel and sand would be extracted each year.

A consultation is ongoing on the plans and a public meeting was held on Tuesday, which was attended by about 80 people.

Local resident and community councillor Andy Wallis is part of a campaign against the quarry.

He said: "We have very significant concerns about the noise and the dust it will create, especially for many of our residents with chronic health conditions.

"We are also worried about the road lorries will use, it is very narrow and it floods a lot. There are also frequent accidents.

"There has got to be a better and more suitable location that 60m (190ft) from people's homes."

A public meeting over the plans was held on Tuesday

Mr Wallis said he believed the quarry would "undoubtedly" drive people away from the rural community.

"None of us wants to leave," he said.

"But some people I have spoken to simply couldn't live with that level of noise, dust and disruption."

Campaigners told BBC Scotland News dozens of houses - as well as a new build development - would be within about a mile of the site.

The consultation on the plans runs until 8 May.

In their planning statement, Leiths (Scotland) Ltd said: "The proposal has been designed with appropriate stand-offs from individual residential properties and there would be no significant impact in terms of noise or dust."

It has also said that its drivers would show due care and attention to other road users.