QUARRYING is set to continue well into the next century on land above Shawforth, despite objections by Whitworth Council.

Owners of the Middle Hill Quarries, which have been worked since 1948, have applied to continue the operation until 2007.

Lancashire County Council and Rochdale Council have not objected. Now Rossendale Council is being advised that there are few grounds for objection to the scheme, even though the quarry lies in a Green Belt area.

Government policy states that quarrying can be carried out in the Green Belt provided "high environmental standards are maintained and the site is well restored."

The operation removes 15 tonnes of sandstone a day - about two lorryloads - and councillors have been advised that allowing the quarry to be worked out is the best way of ensuring that the area is ultimately filled in and landscaped.

Whitworth Council claims the countryside has already been sufficiently damaged and wants quarrying to end.

But agents acting for the owners have pointed out that the operation is small. They have pledged to backfill the quarry as they go along, then seed it.

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