Euxton quarry public inquiry due to end today
2:52pm Friday 9th May 2008
A three-week public inquiry over plans for a huge sand and gravel quarry in Euxton is expected to end today.
Construction firm Tarmac are seeking permission to extract millions of tonnes of sand from a site between Runshaw Lane and Dawbers Lane.
The site would be active for around 15 years and opponents claim there would be up to 105 HGV movements per day through the village, jeopardising safety and the environment.
A public inquiry started on April 22 and pressure Euxton Residents Against Sand Extraction (ERASE) have lead the campaign against the quarry.
The planning application has been rejected by Lancashire County Council and they spoke at the inquiry in opposition.
Among other groups and individuals who oppose the plans are Chorley Borough Council, Euxton Parish Council and Chorley MP Lindsay Hoyle.
One session of the inquiry was held at Lancashire Fire and Rescue Centre at Washington Hall on April 30, to accommodate more members of the public, with hundreds attending ERASE spokesman Bruce Carlin, said: "The fight has stretched over 11 years it is about time Tarmac got the message that the quarry is simply not wanted.
"Any such plans will have on our village and the effect it will have on residents.
"We feel the arguments we put forward are valid and that Tarmac has failed to respond to our concerns."
The inquiry was held a year after Tarmac lodged an appeal against the Lancashire County Council decision to refuse permission.
Tarmac has maintained that it has addressed all planning concerns and has pledged the land used will be restored for agricultural use, new woodland, hedgerows, grassland, ponds and a lake.