MORE than a thousand Euxton residents packed into a public meeting at Park Hall to fight plans for a nearby quarry.

Residents confronted county council planning chiefs to protest against the Minerals and Waste Plan (MWP) which has earmarked land west of the M6 as a potential sand and gravel quarry.

Bruce Carlin of the campaign claimed the county council had buckled under pressure and had failed to properly investigate other potential quarry sites.

Bruce said: "Residents have formed the core of a committee and we are preparing to fight at any public inquiry or planning application.

"The borough council, parish council and Chorley MP Den Dover have pledged their support for us so the county council are alone on this one."

Head of the MWP John Geldard denied being pressurized by industry but said the county council had no financial or technical resources to test potential quarries themselves.

Hundreds of complaints have already been collected. Objections can be left at Forbuoys on Wigan Lane, Euxton before February 26.

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