PLANS to fill an Ellel quarry with rubbish trucked in from Preston and Blackburn has angered residents. People living in Dolphinholme and Galgate have set up an action group to fight plans to make Ellel Crag Quarry a landfill site for commercial and domestic rubbish. An increase in heavy goods vehicles, possible health risks and the contamination of local spring water sites have been cited by residents as good reasons to throw out the plans.

But despite backing from Lancaster's MP, Hilton Dawson, and local city and county councillors, the action group fear that the owner's proposals may still get the go ahead.

"We don't think there's a need for a refuse tip here," said Brian Godding, founder member of Stop the Tip Action Group (STAG).

"We didn't know about the proposals until June and when I started to talk with residents there was very few who actually knew what was happening. The quarry has hardly been used for years with just the odd lorry every blue moon. If the tip gets the go ahead there will be big trucks going up and down the narrow lanes all day. It's only a mile away from Dolphinholme which means the village will be affected by the smell of rotting rubbish and be at risk of disease from gulls and vermin."

Mr Godding added: "There are also a number of people who get their water from springs that originate around here. They are very concerned especially as the first they will know if their water's been contaminated is when it will be too late."

The quarry owners, J. Jackson Ltd. of Preston, have asked for a 10 year extension in order to use the quarry as a landfill site. The matter will be decided by members of the county council's Development Control Sub Committee, who visited the site and met protesters last Friday.

Local councillor, Helen Helme backed the action group and said: "We believe that they will be bringing in bin bags from outside the area, such as Preston and Blackburn. If there was a need for a tip in this area then I'd be for it but there isn't a need and it is not just a case of 'not in my back yard.' I'll be backing the residents all the way and I hope the plans get thrown out."

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