New Wiltshire quarry sites rubber stamped

Eight new sites for quarries in Wiltshire, to be built over the next 15 years, have been rubber stamped by the council.

The number of potential sites was originally 62 but was reduced following a consultation.

A new consultation will now be held on the chosen sites.

The government target is for quarrying 1.85 million tonnes of sand and gravel per year in the county, but the council has said that is too high.

Four of the chosen sites are around the village of Castle Eaton in the north of the county, and two are near Whaddon, to the south east of Salisbury.

The other sites are at Compton Bassett, near Calne, and South Cerney, near the Gloucestershire border.

Councils across England have been told by the government they have to provide their own local supply of gravel and sand to meet future demand.

The current stock of sand and gravel in Wiltshire will only last for another six years.

The council needed to identify suitable sites so these resources can be provided until 2026.

John Brady, cabinet member with responsibility for economic development, planning and housing, said previously: "We do have a statutory duty to identify land for mineral extraction but if we feel the government target is too high then we will oppose it."