Wenlock Edge quarry's wood chip plant wins backing

Plans to convert the site at Wenlock Edge into a timber storage and processing plant to produce bio-fuel were part-approved and part-refused by Shropshire councillors. More than 4,500 people signed a petition opposing the plans and Shropshire Council also received more than 200 letters of objection.

Officers agreed to the retrospective planning application but requested more information be produced by applicants Edge Renewables before granting a full permit.

Councillors yesterday agreed to temporarily approve the use of timber storage areas until August 31, when further details will have to be produced by the applicants.

Buildings in the yard will be re-cladded and further landscaping works completed.

Edge Renewables, which will use 10 per cent of the quarry for its wood chipping operation, agreed to spend £25,000 a year to restore other parts of the site.

The National Trust, which had submitted its own planning application, was hoping to transform the area into a wildlife reserve and had held several meetings with councillors and residents in Much Wenlock.

But former landowners, Aggregate Industries, agreed to the sell the site to Edge Renewables.

Shropshire Councillor Robert Tindall, told the south planning committee he was sympathetic to application and that the public would be able to continue using the site.

Milner Whiteman, Shropshire Councillor for Much Wenlock, said: "There is a large obligation to the rest of the site in place and £25,000 a year will be spent by the applicants, so there should be a good job on the restoration. If the National Trust had acquired this site they would have used the buildings too. Walkers will still be able to walk through."