RESIDENTS have lost their battle to stop new sand quarrying near their Congleton homes.

Hepworth Minerals and Chemicals were granted permission by county councillors to extend their quarry at Bent Farm in Walhill Lane to give them a further five years of production.

The extra 12.3 hectares contains three million tonnes of sand, and its boundary will be less than 100 metres from 17 homes, mostly along Walhill Lane.

Planning officer Alan Thornley backed the proposal, stating the need for the sand was such it overrode the environmental objections.

Eight objections were submitted to the council, claiming the extension would mean increases in noise and dust, unacceptably long working hours and loss of wildlife habitats.

Hepworth said the planned extension would take workings to within 30 metres of three homes, and there were 40 homes within 400 metres of the proposed extension area.

The company has promised "comprehensive" tree planting between the site and any nearby homes with views of the new quarrying area, and also plans to retain a screening mound along Walhill Lane.

A wildlife corridor was originally proposed at the back of homes alongside Walhill Lane, but has since been revised to areas of planting where homes do not back onto the boundary.

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