Changes ahead for St Michael’s quarry?

Planning permission for the works at Sharples Quarry, Tarnacre Lane, were approved several years, ago, despite strong opposition from residents of both villages.

Preparatory work has been carried out by the site’s new owners who have now applied for changes to the original permission.

Leyland-based Hargreaves (NW) Limited says the efficiency of the site can be improved by a bigger water storage lagoon - a move which the company says will also lead to a lessening of the environmental impact.

The company says the proposed new lagoon / water storage area will be located nearer to the mineral processing area “with shorter pipe runs and reduced energy consumption.”

The company says the application is minor and does not fundamentally change the original planning application.

The plans will be decided by Lancashire County Council, which controls mineral extraction in the county, though Wyre Borough will also comment on the plans.