OBJECTIONS were raised to the prospect of nine million tonnes of sand being extracted from 135 hectares of the borough's green belt over the next 30 years.
The application was put forward by Tarmac on land at Crown Farm Quarry, Stoneyford Lane, Oakmere.
It will involve linking that quarry with mothballed Delamere Quarry nearby which dates back to 1946.
The company argued linking the quarries and extending their life would enable the sand reserves to be worked on a phased basis.
Five million tonnes of existing reserves would be surrendered.
Oakmere Parish Council acknowledged the parish had historically been a quarrying area but had ‘serious concerns’ about a 30 year permission as there had never been such a long time scale in previous applications.
Councillors raised issues including working hours, noise, dust, highways and traffic, the need for a buffer between the quarrying and homes, flooding and the diversion of a public footpath.
Planners had 32 objections raising more than 30 issues.
In a detailed 70 page report, planning officers pointed out less than one million tonnes of minerals would actually be added to Cheshire's land bank.
They recommended approval as most of the extraction would take place within an existing area of search or existing quarries and the company had put forward sufficient exceptional circumstances to allow the quarrying.
Linking the two quarries would reduce active operations and the overall effect of the development.
A liaison group would be set up including councillors and the local community.
Permission was granted on a unanimous vote.
