A BID to remove nearly 600,000 tonnes of sandstone from an East Lancashire quarry has been passed despite concerns from villagers.

Land to the west of Whinney Hall Quarry had been earmarked for the development by operators Park Royal Group.

But Altham parish councillors feared extra noise and dust, from between 100 and 140 lorry movements per day, would have a damaging effect on neighbours.

Villagers say that the impact on the water table and old mine shafts, and the backfilling of the site, had not been adequately addressed.

Environment Agency officials insisted that they were happy with the extraction proposals, provided there was proper monitoring of ground water levels.

And Phil Barret, the county council’s environment and transport director said in a report: “Reserves of sandstone material contained within the existing planning permissionat the site are currently very limited.

“If the company cannot secure permission for additional reserves, this quarry would terminate production, along with the employment opportunities provided.”

County councillors on the development control committee, chaired by County Coun Michael Devaney, approved the Park Royal plans, subject to environmental enhancements being agreed for the quarry.

Borough councillors in Hyndburn had called for extra landscaping around the quarry, as well as a financial contribution to the Whinney Hill link road.

Another 75,000 tonnes of block stone would be removed under the package.

Inert waste would be used to fill the excavations later.