A controversial application to extend a quarry in Greetham has been approved but only after the developer agreed to withdraw the work nearest the village.

An application by Mick George to extend the quarry was originally approved at the meeting of Rutland County Council planning committee on 2 March 2021.

The site would release an estimated three million tonnes of limestone aggregate and 0.1 million tonnes of building stone reserves, which would replace those that have been used up within the existing Greetham quarry.

However, following a potential legal challenge, the matter was deferred for further work to be carried out. It came back to the members in September when it was deferred again after objections from the Parish Council and villagers, who raised issues including dust and noise, transport movements, and the restoration of the site.

Nick Hodgett, principal planning officer for Rutland County Council, told a planning meeting on Tuesday (December 21) that Mick George has agreed to withdraw the works that were due to be carried out nearest the village and villagers feared would impact on the skatepark and community centre.

He said there were now revised plans that include metal road access on Thistleton Lane, and said the parish council would be consulted throughout the works on noise and dust, and ensuring the right materials are used.

Mr Hodgett concluded that the scheme had been "altered to the satisfaction of the local community and the developer".

Independent Councillor Nick Begy said: "Greetham has been fighting this proposal for going on three years now, and while this extension was never wanted, the village has been pragmatic in the battle for the lives of the residents being protected.

"This means that following discussions with the developer there will now be no quarrying carried out within 150m of the community centre or skatepark, and there will be real-time dust monitoring with staged alerts to allow prompt action when dust levels are increasing.

"Should there be any future applications for quarry extensions, this application will be taken into consideration for its cumulative effect.

"Therefore, but with a heavy heart, the parish council believes it has achieved the best possible outcome for the village, and this application can be approved with the conditions mentioned and we can all move on."

Members voted by majority to approve the application with chairperson of the committee, Councillor Edward Baines (Con) commenting: "I would like to thank everybody who has been involved and dealing with this matter in a very pragmatic way.

"No-one gets 100 per cent of what they want, but this is, I would think, a very acceptable compromise."

Seven councillors were in favour of the application and one abstained.