RESIDENTS in Long Sutton are campaigning against plans to re-open a former quarry.

The plans were supposed to be discussed at a Somerset County Council (SCC) meeting on March 4, but have been delayed due to the phosphate pollution in the Somerset Levels and Moors.

The site, on Batts Lane in Long Sutton, would produce Blue Lias Limestone, which is used for walling, paving and building.

The application is a resubmission of a minerals planning application in 2018. And since then, a full Geo-Environmental Assessment has been undertaken, and an operator for the site has been found - Galion Ltd.

According to the plans, there will be two full-time workers at the site, and the operational working hours will be between 7am and 6pm Monday to Friday and 7am until 1pm on Saturday. There will be plant servicing between 1pm and 5pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Somerset County Gazette: LOCATION: Quarry plans in Long Sutton. Pic: Clive Miller Planning LtdLOCATION: Quarry plans in Long Sutton. Pic: Clive Miller Planning Ltd

However, many people in the area are extremely upset about the plans.

The Stop Batts Lane Quarry campaign group are concerned the location is too close to houses and the access is dangerous.

They also believe the recently agreed expansion of Purnell's Quarry near Somerton will satisfy the demand for Blue Lias stone.

There are nearly 150 letters of objection on the planning application for the quarry.

One resident was concerned about traffic driving into or out of Batts lane.

They said: "There is already, often, poor visibility encountered when driving into or out of Batts Lane onto the A372 as drivers frequently exceed the speed limit of 30 mph. Access to and from a proposed quarry site would become more difficult and dangerous."

Another added: "This planning application is entirely unsuited to the location and its approval would be very detrimental to the village in terms of noise, pollution, dust and heavy traffic movement through the village."

There is not yet a new date for SCC to discuss the quarry plans. To view and comment on the planning application, visit the SCC website with the reference SCC/3719/2020. For the campaign visit stopbattslanequarry.co.uk.