A CONTROVERSIAL landfill plan in Charnock Richard has been dumped.

The proposals to import waste, including contaminated soils, to the German Lane sand quarry were rejected by Lancashire County Council last week.

The quarry plan would have lasted more than 13 years before the area was to be restored to woodland but at a raised level, creating domes in the landscape.

It also would have meant up to 130 truck trips a day along the already busy A49 and the narrow winding German Lane.

The site is a Green Belt area and part of the proposed Yarrow Valley Park extension. The plans attracted a mass of objections from residents and interest groups including loss of attractive countryside and public footpaths, disturbance and possible water contamination.

But the quarry's future still poses many problems as it has been left unrestored since sand was extracted in the 1960s.

County Councillor for Chorley West Richard Toon said: "We are hoping for some unobtrusive restoration plan to be undertaken.

"Extracting minerals from any quarry inevitably leaves a mess. Getting money from the Government by way of a derelict land grant is rare so private companies come in, but they inevitably want something back in return for their services."

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