A ten-year battle against plans to build a controversial sand quarry in Euxton has been lost.

Campaigners set up an action group, Euxton Residents Against Sand Extraction (ERASE), to fight the plans of construction giant Tarmac but a definitive ruling today means the quarry will now go ahead.

A planning inspector ruled that the operation can go ahead for the next 15 years, after a two-week long public inquiry in Euxton in April.

Coun Mark Perks, who was a member of the ERASE campaign and who spoke against the Tarmac appeal at the public inquiry, has said this is a massive disappointment to the village and surrounding communities.

He said: "It really has come as a severe blow to all involved and despite a strong case and a super campaign run by ERASE and Euxton against Tarmac's plan, it has all come to nothing.

“I am extremely saddened that despite the local democratic planning process supporting the community when the local planning authority threw out the planning application, the planning inspectorate has given it their blessing.

“The strong concerns over the damage the 15 year sand extraction quarry plans would cause to Euxton and its surrounds have been over ruled and the big multi national has won the day.

“It really begs the question what role has the local democratic process got to play in the lives of residents."