MEMBERS of the public were invited to public exhibitions last week to find out about plans to extend a quarry by a quarter of its current size.

Drop-in sessions were held at Trebullett Methodist Church Hall and Greystone Quarry’s meeting room, last Wednesday and Thursday, as Aggregate Industries UK is finalising a planning application for a southerly extension to Greystone Quarry at Lezant.

The company said, if approved, the plans would ‘extend the life of its regionally important operation’, and add a further 33 years to the quarry’s life.

The extension would provide an additional 10-million tonnes of dolerite reserves. Aggregate Industries UK said dolerite, which is know locally as ‘Blue Elvan’, is an ‘essential’ component in asphalt and skid resistant surface dressing.

The quarry, which currently covers around 38ha, employs 18 full-time staff on site. The company estimates the quarry is worth more than £1-million per year to the local area.

The proposed southern extension covers approximately 10.2ha — three fields in agricultural grazing use.

Although Aggregate Industries UK said it does not plan to increase production from the quarry over and above current demand, its proposals include closing a section of lane, which bounds the quarry site to the south, and forms part of the Tamar Valley Discovery Trail. The company intends to replace the lane with a new restricted byway.

One parish resident who went along to view the proposals, and who did not wish to be named, said: “I support what they are saying from a jobs, industry, business point of view, and the quality of the materials they produce — there’s no question about that.

“The bit I don’t like is they are closing the road. There’s a few residents that it would affect in the first instance. I just think for a good will gesture they ought to reinstate it.”

Andrew Hudson, chair of Lezant Neighbourhood Plan steering group, who also went along to view the exhibition, said: “It’s [the quarry] got to expand, they can’t just keep going down.”

He added he wished to see an ‘attractive nature trail’ around the site, and a parking area for visitors.

The ‘retreating’ quarry manager, Graham Hicks, who also attended the exhibition events, said as well as putting in a new ‘bridleway for pedestrians, cyclists and horses’, they will set up a viewing platform for people to take in the surroundings.

He added: “The whole built environment depends on quarries. We are just modern mining — part of the heritage.”

Adjacent to the site is the grade I listed Greystone Bridge, and the plans, if approved, would see the quarry extend towards the grade II* listed Greystone Farmhouse.

John Penny, estates manager for Aggregate Industries UK, said as part of assessments, the company has already taken into consideration nearby historic structures and buildings, adding they ‘saw no impact’ from the proposed plans.

When asked about any potential effect on the farmhouse, Mr Penny said: “We have got to assess the property for noise, blasting, dust. We are confident there will be no impact.”

Trees will be planted as part of the plans to screen views of the extending quarry from the south east.

Feedback from the public exhibition sessions will be taken on board before Aggregate Industries UK submits a planning application to Cornwall Council, in around a month’s time.

Those who were not able to get along to the exhibitions, but who want to submit their comments, can email [email protected] or write to Greystone Quarry, C/O Aggregate Industries UK Limited, Lawhitton, Launceston, PL15 9PF.