PLANS to extend the lifespan of a quarry in Hurn to allow the removal of hundreds of thousands of tonnes of extra material are being recommended for approval.

Applications to extend the site’s use through until 2031 were submitted in 2016 ahead of the existing permission expiring next year and Dorset County Council’s regulatory committee is being recommended to back the proposal at a meeting next week.

Hurn Quarry has been running since 2004 when temporary permission was first granted for the removal of sand and gravel.

The existing agreement allows for 1.8m tonnes of material to be removed over 14 years and requires that the land be restored by 2019.

Ahead of this, the landowner, Viscount Fitzharris, and the New Forest-based quarry operators HH Drew Limited submitted joint applications in 2016 to extend its use.

The proposal has attracted criticism from residents and has been opposed by Christchurch council and Hurn Parish Council due to concerns about its impact on nearby listed buildings and on the neighbouring Adventure Wonderland theme park.

Richard Fletcher-Jones who lives in the Grade 2 listed Dales House, 25 metres from the proposed extended site, said that quarry works could have a long-term impact on the house.

He said: “I am under no illusion as to the outcome of the application, however I hope the authorities and applicant will understand my concerns regarding the proximity of the excavations to my home.

“Dales House sits about two metres above road level. The excavations will, however deep, leave the house on an island which will in effect sit above the surrounding land. The closer the excavations, the smaller the island upon which it sits will be and the greater the risk of ground movement.”

Despite these concerns, a report to the committee recommends that the applications be approved.

“Both proposals would provide for sustainable minerals development in accordance with the provisions of the development plan there are no other material considerations that indicate that a decision should be made otherwise,” the report says.

A decision will be made at next Friday’s (August 16) meeting of the committee.