PLANS to extend a quarry to extract 2.75 million tonnes of stone on moorland close to Rivington Pike have been rejected.

Councillors on Bolton’s planning committee unanimously opposed the plans saying it would have a harmful affect on greenbelt land and affect the openness of the nearby moors and hills.

Armstrongs Aggregates Ltd, which operates Montcliffe Quarry, Georges Lane, Horwich, asked for permission for an extension of approximately 3.2 hectares on green land to the north west of the existing quarry.

The development, which has been the subject of 91 letters of objection and strong opposition from Horwich Town Council and borough councillors, would release a further 2.75 million tonnes of gritstone and other aggregates.

Armstrongs said series of quarry benches would be created and a three metre high landscaped screening bund would be built.

There would be an average 25 HGV movements per day associated with the extended area which would be part of the existing permitted movements for Montcliffe Quarry, a maximum of 100 in and 100 out per weekday, and 50 in and 50 out on Saturdays.

The site is within the Greater Manchester Joint Minerals Plans which the firm says ‘makes a presumption in favour of sustainable minerals development’ and was recommended for approval by planning officers.

Horwich councillor Richard Silvester said: “Over 90 letters of objection have been received.

“The site is within the green belt and the Winter Hill and Smithills Moor sites of biological importance and the upland moorland hills landscape character area.

“It is also adjacent to the newly created West Pennine Moors site of special interest.

“I believe the application to extend the quarry into open green belt land will quite definitely not preserve that openness.

“I have been contacted by residents living along Georges Lane, Arcon village and the Foxholes area all with very valid complaints about the activities of Armstrongs in terms of planning and enforcement breaches, noise, dust, speeding of wagons on Chorley Old Road and the state of Georges Lane.”

Fellow councillor Marie Brady, from Horwich and Blackrod First Independents, added:  “If this application is granted it will be 2039 at the earliest when operations cease.

“The quarry face is visible from miles away and it dominates the landscape.

“This will mean it will cut even higher into the hillside.

“The West Pennine Moors have special status and the number of visitors increases year on year. Does that natural beauty and wildlife not merit protection?”

Chris Heffernan, speaking on behalf of Armstrongs, said: “Bolton’s core strategy and the Greater Manchester Minerals Plan are not ambiguous in their support for proposals of this nature.

“There is a direction from central government to apply great weight to the benefits of mineral extraction, particularly for the local economy.

“The supporting studies demonstrated to the satisfaction of all specialist consultees that this development will cause no unacceptable harm to the environment, residential or public amenity.”