Hundreds in protest over Wenlock Edge ex-quarry move

The signatures have been collected in opposition to plans by Edge Renewables to use Lea Quarry North to produce renewable energy by supplying wood chip and biomass fuel.

About 466 residents and 279 visitors to Much Wenlock have signed the petition, which has been given to Shropshire Council.

But officials at Edge Renewables have insisted many people in the local area have 'little understanding' of the company's plans for the site, which also include building a visitor centre containing background information about the quarry's link to geology and renewable energy.

Edge Renewables is battling with the National Trust to take over ownership of Lea Quarry North after both submitted bids to owners Aggregate Industries.

Officials at Edge Renewables, who moved on to the site earlier this year, have submitted a retrospective planning application to change the use of the site from quarrying limestone to providing renewable energy by supplying wood chip and biomass fuel to local agricultural, commercial and domestic customers.

The National Trust is also hoping to buy Lea Quarry South and Lilleshall Quarry to turn the area into a nature and conservation area.

Malcolm MacIntyre-Read, who handed in the petition, said: "There is a general wish to find a 'middle way' through negotiations involving the National Trust, Edge Renewables and the local community."

Chris Bickerton, a director of Edge Renewables, said: "Edge Renewables attended the public meeting at the beginning of August and from this meeting it became very apparent that local people had little understanding of what Edge Renewables planned to do at Lea Quarry and that our plans actually were far less intrusive than the proposals made by the National Trust."

Stuart Thomas, area manager for planning at Shropshire Council, said all representations would be carefully considered.

By James Fisher