Clwyd West MS Darren Millar and County Councillor Martyn Holland are both calling on Denbighshire County Council to reject controversial plans to reopen a currently disused quarry.

Tarmac have submitted a planning application with the council for the reopening of Burley Hill Quarry, Maeshafn.

The quarry has seen little or no commercial activity for the past 16 years with all operational equipment having been removed and buildings either sold to local people or left to decay.  

Local residents and businesses are therefore concerned that the company has now applied for planning permission to extend its permit, which was set to expire, for a period of 15 years.

Commenting, Darren said:

“The quarry operators for whatever reason have chosen not to operate the quarry commercially for 16 years and during that time a number of small tourism businesses have opened in the area. They are understandably extremely concerned about the impact the reopening of the quarry would have on them.

“Local residents are also very concerned. They live in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and are keen that this is protected.   

“If reopened, the quarry would also impose excessive daily HGV movement on an unclassified road which is not suitable for large articulated lorries and could cause a serious hazard to local traffic.

“I am therefore urging Denbighshire County Council to listen to these concerns, and others which have been submitted, and reject these proposals. Reopening the quarry would be bad news for residents, local businesses and indeed tourism in the area.”

Cllr Martyn Holland, who in recent weeks has posted newsletters to residents advising of the proposals, said:

“Reopening the quarry would have a huge impact on all the holiday let and other tourism businesses that have opened in the area in the past 16 years.

“Residents are also concerned about the potential blasting and the use of an unclassified road. They have gone through it before and really don’t want to go through it again.

“I will therefore be representing them and opposing this application. It is also important that residents and businesses submit their own objections.  This can be done through the Denbighshire County Council planning portal until January 13th, although people can still object up until 24 hours before by emailing the planning department [email protected]. They can also submit their views in writing to Development Management, PO Box 62, Ruthin LL15 9AZ.”