An extension to the Bolton Hill Quarry between Johnston and Tiers Cross was approved by Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee today.

Despite a number of objections from nearby residents and Johnston Community Council the plan to create a new quarry site, approximately 19 hectares in size, adjacent to the existing quarry will go ahead subject to 37 conditions.

The predominant concerns of the 22 letters of objection received focus on the potential effects of quarrying activity such as blasting, noise and dust. Health concerns were also raised as well as the potential increase in HGV traffic on the local road system and the visual impact of the site.

Conditions on the development include limits on noise levels and a noise monitoring scheme, blasting only allowed between 10am and 4pm and not on Saturdays, Sundays or public and bank holidays, with every blast monitored, a community liaison committee must also be established.

Local member Cllr Ken Rowlands said that he had heard many of the concerns expressed by residents and asked the committee to ensure that any conditions are strictly adhered to.

The key issue considered by councillors was whether the need for the type of material that the extension would supply is sufficient to override Joint Unitary Development Plan polices concerning mineral landbanks.

A minimum reserve of ten years supply is required by the Minerals Technical Advice Note one, part of Minerals Planning Policy Wales. The current level of production means that the council will be faced with making allocations for mineral working in the forthcoming Local Development Plan.

FH Gilman and Company which owns the site does not intend to increase output from Bolton Hill Quarry but maintain a continuity of supply of aggregates for a wide range of building and construction products, including sand, coated roadstone, asphalt and bituminous macadams.