Quarry given permission to extend into farmland

Plans to extend a Leicestershire quarry into neighbouring farmland have been given the go-ahead.

Leicestershire County Council has granted permission for Cliffe Hill Quarry in Stanton-under-Bardon, near Coalville, to increase its extraction area.

Planning officers said the move would "release around 30 million tonnes of reserves" and "sustain" the operation.

The permission follows a decision in October 2022 for Midland Quarry Products Ltd to use the site for an additional decade - up to 2042 - according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).

Councillors voted unanimously to allow the quarry to extend into neighbouring fields despite concerns from residents over the impact of the proposals.

One said his home was already affected by the blasting that takes place on the site, adding the plans were "worrying" for him and his family.

According to the LDRS, conditions are attached to the approval to ensure blasting does not create vibrations over a specified level.

Air quality assessments also determined the proposals "would not have a significant effect" on residents or the local environment.

Part of Cliffe Lane will be diverted to allow for the extension, planning documents show.

The existing stretch of road will remain in use until the new route is complete.

The hours of use are also expected to remain the same, the LDRS said.

The site is currently split into two areas - the old quarry and new - linked by a tunnel.

The LDRS said the new quarry is currently used for processing extracted materials, and this is not proposed to change.

The old quarry is expected to continue to be worked before extraction moves into the extended area in about 2028.

The site will be restored once work ceases in 2042.

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