A TOTAL of 520,000 cubic metres of stone will be removed from Buck Lane quarry in Denholme after plans for its extraction were approved by Bradford Council.

The four-year operation will lead to up to 90 extra journeys a day by HGVs to and from the quarry, with some residents protesting against the scheme due to the already high volume of traffic on the A629.

Developers have pledged £65,000 to help improve highway safety measures, including modifications to the junction of the A629 on to Whalley Lane to allow for the safe turning of vehicles.

A new road will be built around the western and northern boundaries of the quarry, with the current access road set to be turned into the Great Northern Railway Trail cycle route.

Members of the council's regulatory and appeals committee last Thursday expressed their "disappointment" that the applicant, P Casey Ltd, had not offered a contribution to the new public bridleway.

They also included conditions that no landfill be brought onto the site for restoration purposes, and that a 20mph zone be established around Denholme Primary School during school hours.