Dingle Bank Quarry to operate for a further 30 months

Plans to continue operations at Dingle Bank Quarry were unanimously approved by Cheshire East Council at a strategic planning board meeting on Wednesday, September 21.

The working site based in Holmes Chapel Road in Lower Withington is run by Sibelco, which initially planned to cease extraction of sand on December 31, 2016. But following planning approval, operations will continue until June 30 2019, with the quarry restoration complete by December 2020.

Nigel Canham, a spokesman for Sibelco, said: “Clearly we are very pleased that the authorities have taken this decision as it will allow us to continue working on what is a very valuable resource and to continue making a valuable contribution to the local and national economy.”

The quarry has been mined for the past 80 years, with at least six extensions already granted to permit further extraction.

The documents put forward from Sibelco detailed that there were no objections from nearby sites such as Jodrell Bank and Manchester Airport.

Extractors at Dingle Bank extract white sane, which is for ‘industrial purposes’ such as float glass, as well as Gawsworth sand which is used in construction, sports and horticulture.

A Council spokesman said: “This is a quarry that has been in operation for a number of years and specialises in the extraction of a valuable resource – white sand and Gawsworth sand. White sand is used in the float glass manufacturing process and Gawsworth sand in the construction industry, sports and horticulture industries.

“As the operator is able to extract more sand from this particular site, planning consent to extend the use of the quarry has been granted.

“The proposal satisfies the economic sustainability role by ensuring that the remaining reserves of a national significant mineral are fully utilised.

“The operators will have two years to restore the quarry on completion of operations and three years to restore all surrounding plant areas.”