A DECISION on whether to build a controversial sand quarry in Cranage and Allostock will not be made on Thursday after planning chiefs scrapped a crucial meeting.

Cheshire West and Chester Council’s planning committee was due to discuss plans from Sibelco to extract 3.3 million tonnes of sand from Rudheath Lodge Farm over a 12-year period.

The Belgian company looked set to get the green light after officers had recommended the scheme for approval – despite residents sending more than 1,000 objections to CWAC and Cheshire East Council.

But a decision has now been deferred after CWAC said it received new information on the two planning applications which make up the proposed quarry.

In a statement issued by CWAC, the council said: “The applications have been deferred due to a late representation which raises issues with respect to hydrology and hydrogeology.

“The issues need to be addressed and as such the applications have been deferred for the authority to consider these issues.”

The quarry sits in both west and east Cheshire, and Cheshire East Council has already granted permission for its part of the site at a planning meeting on April 4.

The company was asked to withdraw the scheme and resubmit its plans to both CEC and CWAC last February, and it needs both councils’ permission in order to go ahead with the move.

Sibelco has attracted fierce opposition from the Residents Against Quarrying campaign group, plus ward councillors, residents and three parish councils.