PLANS to demolish two kilns and the tall chimney at Castle Cement must be submitted to Lancashire County Council within six months of stopping cement production in the redundant kilns.

The county council's development control sub-committee gave planning permission for a new clinker conveying system at the Ribblesdale plant in Clitheroe.

But a condition is that the county council must receive plans for the removal of the kilns within six months of cement production ceasing in them.

County Coun Terry Burns, chairman of the sub-committee, said: "This application is linked to plans for taking out of use two kilns which use the wet process to produce cement and a transfer of work to the existing dry process kiln, which is more modern and efficient. "We have set conditions that will ensure the company produces plans to remove the redundant kilns and a large chimney which serves them. The new conveyor system will have very little visual impact and when the kilns and chimney are removed, the overall visual impact aspect of the plant will be improved.

"The new system also has the benefits of reduced dust emissions and greater reliability which I am sure will be welcomed by local people."

Castle has to seek permission from the Environment Agency and Ribble Valley Council.

The firm's bosses have already announced that the conveying system is part of plans to transfer cement production to the dry process kiln (seven), making the wet process kilns (five and six) redundant.

And earlier this month, Castle Cement bosses applied for permission to re-start burning controversial Cemfuel -- claiming it is environmentally beneficial. They are waiting for a decision by the Environment Agency, which could take up to four months.