Haughmond Quarry

Plans for a controversial extension to a Shropshire quarry right next to a county beauty spot have been shown to the public for the first time.

The plans for the 3.7 hectare extension of Haughmond Hill Quarry, near Shrewsbury, went on on display this weekend to mixed response from members of the public.

But staff from the quarry and Shropshire County Council’s planning department reassured them the area would be restored to its former appearance once the work was complete if the scheme gets the go-ahead.

Quarry deputy manager Mark Ford said the extension to the 27 hectare site was vital for several reasons.

“The current working area is coming to an end so we’re looking to extend the life of the quarry and safeguard jobs,” he said.

“Since 2000 we’ve removed approximately three million tonnes of greywacke from the quarry. The mineral is of national importance.

“We’re coming now into the very busy surface dressing stage of the year and we’re sending it all over the place, we’ve recently sent some to Scotland.”

A public exhibition of the plans was held at the quarry on Saturday, but some visitors were concerned about the effect an extension would have on the area.

But Malcolm Bell, head of planning development control at the county council, said they had already begun consultations with the Forestry Commission, which owns the woodland surrounding the quarry, Natural England and Shropshire Wildlife Trust to ensure there will be no lasting damage to the area.

“As part of the extension the whole of the quarry will be the subject of a full restoration scheme,” he said, but added the quarry had not yet got permission for the extension, which was still “some way off”.