A historic grove of eight redwood trees has been saved after plans to extend a quarry were altered at the 11th hour.

The application for the expansion of Grange Top quarry in Ketton was originally submitted two years ago by Heidelberg Materials – which runs the neighbouring cement works.

The plans will still see the loss of the majority of Paradise Field in the village – and the relocation of ancient apple trees.

Heidelberg Materials says the extension is necessary as supplies run low at the quarry.

Dr Jay Naylor who has campaigned for the preservation of the field said he was pleased that the Giant Sequoia redwood trees had been saved but would be sad to see the rest of the field lost.

'Create a nature reserve and stone circle'

He also called for the creation of a nature reserve on land marked for agriculture and said Heidelberg should use its machinery to build a stone henge using large blocks of limestone on quarry land earmarked for restoration.

He said: "In the area of the quarry next to the solar farm there is a huge open plain, probably 10 acres or more in size. It's a wild heathland of gorse, hawthorn and other scrubby plants interspersed with nationally important limestone grassland. 

"This area is very similar to the semi-wild heathlands that would have covered this landscape hundreds of years ago, with a huge herd of over 50 deer which live on the area. 

"There is an artificial osprey nest which was built there, which the ospreys have used, and a huge variety of other wildlife such as hare, foxes, badgers, and all sorts of waterfowl, and woodcock.

"This would be a major loss and I feel that this wild landscape should be left to act as a biodiversity enhancement area, and would love to see it become a nature reserve one day."

'Mineral reserves running low'

Heidelberg Materials said Grange Top quarry had been supplying its adjoining Ketton cement works for nearly 100 years – but its mineral reserves are running out. 

The extension of the quarry will provide around 25 years' supply of limestone and clays, with all extracted materials used at our Ketton works to make cement for use in construction. 

A spokesman added: "The plans have been developed to ensure that they enhance nature and mitigate impact on our neighbours, as well as providing transformative improvements to footways and bridleways."

The firm said it was investing more than £10m in a new access road to Ketton works which will reroute lorries away from the villages of Ketton and Tinwell.

A public consultation on the amended plans will run until March 11 and people can comment via the planning portal at rutland.gov.uk/planning – a final decision is expected later this year.

Dr Naylor's latest video on the plans can be viewed on YouTube by searching for 'Jay Naylor Films'.