FEARS over heavy quarry lorries meeting at speed have sparked objections to a new plan for stone extraction near Denholme.

And there are also concerns for potential harm to a rare birds' nest at the Buck Park site.

Quarry owner P Casey (Buck Park) Ltd wants to dig out half a million cubic metres of stone during a five year process, followed by restoration of the land using inert infill created by the quarrying.

And Bradford Council officers are recommending planners approve the scheme, subject to a range of strict conditions surrounding work at the quarry.

A Council officer's report said the proposal was a "sustainable development" in that it contributes to the sustainable use of minerals, demonstrating the need for minerals and "achieving the overall sustainable objectives" of national and local planning documents.

But increased heavy traffic heading to a modified junction of the A629 on to Whalley Lane is a key issue for Denholme Town Council, which has lodged an objection because it wants traffic to slow down to 20mph at the crucial road section.

"We are concerned about access and although the idea is to drop from 60mph to 30mph, that would still mean wagons meeting at a narrow pinch point at speed," said Denholme Mayor Steve Nunn.

In its statement to Bradford Council's Regulatory and Appeals Committee, which meets on January 8, the town council writes;

“Whilst Denholme Town Council are keen to finally see some restoration works undertaken at Buck Park quarry we are objecting to this latest application on the grounds of the inadequacy of the Traffic Assessment and Traffic Statement produced by the applicant.

"We feel amendments to the layout of the junction of the A629 and Whalley Lane are an improvement; however we feel that the increase in the traffic flow warrants a reduction in the speed limit to 20mph on Whalley Lane, for the short distance from the junction with the A629 to the new entrance to the quarry."

Cllr Nunn said they were also worried that rare birds could be deterred from breeding, but said the RSPB was now happy with proposals for a 20m buffer zone to shield the birds from disruption.

Cullingworth parish council has recommended the plans be refused due to the impact on local life.

It said: “Cullingworth Village residents have endured decades of the negative impact that quarrying and stone yard operations may have upon the environment and quality of life of residents.

"An identical application in 2010 was refused, the subsequent appeal in 2012 was dismissed.

"The reasons for dismissal are as relevant today as they were then."

Letters from the public are also overwhelmingly against the plan with comments including: “Overall, a decision must be made that considers the people who actually live in Denholme.

"We're the ones facing the daily issues of HGV's, driving through a rural village, with an alleged 30mph limit, that is simply not imposed or adhered to.”

Another asked: “How many times does this project have to be stopped? No should mean No!”

Also: “This proposal has been rejected on several occasions and nothing has changed with regards to its legitimacy. The only difference between now and earlier proposals is time."

District ward councillor Simon Cooke said he was "not particularly keen on another application to extract aggregate."

But he added: "Buck Park is one of those perennial problems which needs to be sorted out."

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