A THURLSTONE quarry surrounded by country roads cannot be worked after councillors refused permission over road safety fears.
After visiting the site, members of the planning board took the unusual step of voting against a recommendation by planners to approve Grenoside Rock Developments Limited’s proposals.
The company had asked for permission to extract 9,500m3 of sandstone each year for a decade at Hill Side Quarry, Cross Lane.
Technology to cut rock using high-pressure water would have been developed under the plans.
But councillors, who voted 11 to seven against the recommendation with one abstention at the meeting on Tuesday, voiced concerns about lorries using the roads around the quarry.
Coun Brenda Hinchliff said: “The main problem is the route in and out. It is a dreadful road, and the surface is poor.”
Coun Charlie Wraith said: “That road is treacherous and no doubt about it.”
Four letters of objection also raised worries over dust and noise from the site.
