Plunge in concrete demand sparks calls from Rutland campaigners for quarry expansion rethink.

A huge drop in sales of UK concrete should trigger calls for a rethink over plans to expand the controversial quarry, campaigners from the Stop Grange Quarry Expansion Group claim.

Latest figures from the Mineral Products Association (MPA) show building industry demand for essential mineral products hit "historic lows" in 2025.

The trade group have said "demand for core construction materials remains stuck at alarmingly weak levels", including a 9.9% fall in demand for concrete.

Opponents of the proposal to extend Grange Top Quarry in Rutland, have highlighted the figures and urged the company to reconsider its plans.

Matthew Eatough, from the Stop Grange Quarry Expansion Group, said it was the latest evidence that a renewed planning application by Heidelberg Materials to extend the site next to one of Britain's best-loved beauty spots should be rejected.

Matthew said: "These figures from the MPA show that demand for concrete is falling, as the MPA itself acknowledges.

"Far from the country needing even more building materials, it seems there is already too much supply for the construction industry as it is.

"Such an admission can only cast doubt on Heidelberg's latest bid to expand Grange Top Quarry. Heidelberg should recognise this and abandon once and for all its attempts to expand the site."

The MPA said it was the fourth year in a row that sales of key materials overall had dropped.

Aurelie Delannoy, the MPA's director of economic affairs, said: "The prolonged downturn in demand for mineral products showed no sign of easing at the end of 2025.

"This reflects the fragile state of both the UK construction sector and the wider economy, as well as persistently weak investment confidence."

Mr Eatough, who lives in Empingham, believes the figures should either force Heidelberg to abandon its plans or councillors to reject them.

He warned in 2024 that approving the proposals by Heidelberg, formerly known as Hanson Cement, would "extend the life of one of the largest CO2 polluters in the UK by some 25 years".

He said that if Heidelberg's attempts to expand the quarry to extract more limestone and clay from the site succeeded, the Rutland Water beauty spot would be at increased risk of pollution.

In 2024, the popular beauty spot, which is just 2km from the proposed area of expansion, became the first inland bathing water location in England to have a Blue Flag and Seaside Award.

The reservoir is a Site of Specific Scientific Interest and is recognised as an official wetland of international importance under the 1971 Ramsar Convention on Wetlands – the intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources.

Views from the nature reserve's dam, beach and the Hambleton peninsula could be spoilt if the expansion went ahead, Mr Eatough added.