COUNCILLORS are due to have another vote on plans to build a quarry in Cranage and Allostock tomorrow, February 27.

Both Cheshire East Council and Cheshire West and Chester Council have already approved plans from Sibelco to extract 3.3 million tonnes of silica sand from Rudheath Lodge Farm over a 12-year period.

But after further information about a possible ecological impact on nearby New Platt Mere came to light, the matter is now due to come back to CEC’s strategic planning board in Macclesfield.

Ahead of the meeting, CEC officers have recommended that the original decision still stands – suggesting the quarry’s impact on the mere is ‘not significant’.

A report says: “Silica sand is a nationally important strategic resource, providing feedstock for the glass, ceramics, horticulture and casting industries, and a host of other industrial uses.

“Minerals can only be worked where they occur and the distribution of silica sand across the UK is unevenly distributed and is limited to a small number of locations and Cheshire East contains important deposits east of the M6 motorway.

“There is an ongoing need for silica sand to supply demand.”

The report adds that 75 per cent of the sand will be high-grade for industry, while 25 per cent will be used in construction.

Further information has also been received from Jodrell Bank after a report commissioned by Sibelco suggested the quarry would not be able to comply with the observatory’s sound restrictions.

However, the University of Manchester – which runs the observatory – says it is satisfied the quarry can operate provided it follows conditions set by the university and CEC, including to shut down operations if the quarry breaches the threshold.

More than 1,000 objections against the scheme have been sent to both Cheshire councils from residents since the existing planning applications were submitted in July 2017.

Cranage, Goostrey and Allostock parish councils have also voiced their opposition to the plans, as well as local ward councillors on CEC and CWAC.

Urging the strategic planning board to reject the proposal last April, Cllr Andrew Kolker, Conservative, said: “The A50 is already a very busy and very dangerous road.

“Adding in excess of 100 lorries a day to the road will only add to the congestion and add to the risk.”

The Guardian understands members will only be able to make a judgement on matters related to the new information provided following the last vote.

This means councillors will not be able to overturn last year’s decision based on issues such as traffic congestion.

Last month, CWAC voted to approve the scheme, provided the Environment Agency is satisfied with the groundwater situation surrounding New Platt Mere – which was submitted to the council just days before the vote.

The Government is expected to have the final say on the proposal.

READ MORE: Sibelco promises to be a good neighbour

READ MORE: CWAC approves plans for Sibelco's quarry