FURIOUS cement firm bosses have hit out after plans to quarry 30 million tonnes of limestone from a Clitheroe beauty spot were put on hold at the last minute.

County councillors, Castle Cement chiefs and quarry protesters were taken by surprise at a special planning meeting when the Environment Agency asked for the matter to be deferred.

Officers had recommended the 40-year scheme, which has met a storm of protest from residents, be approved, subject to a long list of conditions.

But the Government watchdog forced the deferment about an hour before Lancashire County Council development control sub-committee was due to make a decision.

The agency queried possible effects of quarrying on groundwater levels.

A spokesman for Castle Cement said further delays would cause "real difficulties" for the firm's quarrying operations.

"The environmental assessment which accompanies the application is comprehensive and we believe that all the potential impacts had been fully assessed and dealt with.

"Given the fact that the application was lodged over a year ago, the agency has had every opportunity to check groundwater data.

"The need for the Bellman limestone is urgent and any further delay could create real difficulties for our operations.

"Continued uncertainty is a particular worry for our employees and we are as surprised as the councillors clearly were by intervention at such a late stage." But a spokesman for the agency said:"We were informed fairly late that conditions relating to this matter would be difficult to enforce and requested the deferment in order to hold meetings with Lancashire County Council officers to ensure that the environment will be safeguarded."

A second item relating to revised working at Castle Cement's nearby Lanehead Quarry was also deferred.

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