A proposal to extend the silica sand extraction at a Congleton quarry looks set to happen.

Sibelco UK has applied to Cheshire East Council for permission to extend the extraction limit at Bent Farm Quarry, Wallhill Lane, Brownlow.

The Congleton Bent Farm site produces silica, mainly for the construction, metallurgy, and sports & leisure industry.

A planning officer's report due to go before next Wednesday's meeting of the council's strategic planning board, states: "The proposed extension of the extraction limit would remain within the consented permission boundary therefore the principle of extraction in this area has already been accepted."

It continues: "Since minerals are a finite resource and can only be worked where they are found, and where there is land available to work them, this limits the locations available for extraction at any point in time. It is therefore important to make the best use of them in order to secure their long-term conservation."

The applicant has identified Bent Farm Quarry is one of a limited number of deposits which can produce high grade foundry sand to the industry.

The planning officer's report states: "Whilst the additional tonnage which would be secured by this proposal is modest – 410,932 tonnes in total – it would nonetheless  contribute towards a ten-year stock of permitted reserves of industrial mineral at the site as required by national and local planning policy and allows for this nationally important resource to be maximised, especially given the delays that the mineral operator has experienced in the implementation of the Bent Farm West extension during the pandemic."

Councillors are recommended to approve the application at next week's meeting which takes place at Macclesfield Town Hall at 10am on Wednesday, February 2.

Residents fo Congleton and Brownlow are welcome to attend.

Sibelco have 14 sites in the UK, operating in Congleton Monday to Friday from 6am to 7pm.

Special thanks to to Ian of IMS Freelance Photography for the images within this article.

You can follow IMS Freelance Photography on Facebook.

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