A HUGELY controversial plan to re-open a quarry outside Silsden have once again attracted hundreds of objections.

Last year A. D. Calvert Architectural Stone Supplies applied for planning permission to re-open Horn Crag Quarry, a 5.9 hectare site that was last worked in the 1980s.

The plans attracted over 500 objections, making it one of the most objected to planning applications in 2022. The application was withdrawn by the developer last Summer.

The company has now submitted a new application to re-work the site and extract 520,000 tonnes of stone, which they say is vital for the maintenance and restoration of stone buildings.

Over 460 people have so far objected to the plans.

The application says it will likely take until 2043 to remove all the stone needed, and there would be a maximum of 10 HGV movements a day.

None of the HGVs would pass through Silsden town centre – the application claims.

It also points out that there had been quarrying on the site dating back to the 1850s.

The application adds: “There is a demonstrable need for local dimension stone both for the restoration of heritage assets and construction in-keeping with the character of the area, as well as the economic benefits of continued and increased employment and the wider supply chain.

“The proposals are the most socially, economically and environmentally sustainable option in comparison to the alternatives of importing the required dimension stone or opening an entirely new, greenfield site.”

Campaigners against the plans say the quarry has become a haven for wildlife since work there ceased in the 1980s, and call for the site to remain as it is.

A spokesman for the objectors claim any jobs created by the quarry re-opening will not be local, and say: “The quarry would offer no benefits to the local area at all, but massively increase disruption, pollution, and damage to the immediate environment through HGV traffic.

“Residents’ quality of life will be severely negatively impacted by the noise and pollution from the quarrying process itself and the constant movement of HGVs along their small, rural roads.

"We intend to fight this damaging, polluting and unfair proposal and we appeal to Bradford Council to reject it once more, and put environmental protection, and the rights of local residents, businesses and tax payers, above a company from miles away that offers us nothing but damage, disruption and pollution."

A decision on the application is expected in June.