A disused quarry on the Somerset-Dorset border can be filled in with construction waste – despite concerns about the number of lorries travelling to and from the site.

Rob Chapman applied to fill in the disused Copse Quarry on Landshire Lane in Henstridge with "inert waste" (such as soil, bricks and other materials from construction sites).

Residents and the local county councillor warned against granting permission, arguing the local road network could not easily cope with a major increase in HGVs as the waste was transported.

But Somerset County Council's regulation committee voted unanimously to grant permission after discussing the matter in Taunton on Thursday morning (July 29).

Mr Chapman indicated in the plans that he intends to import a total of 30,413 cubic metres of materials to order to restore the quarry site to its original levels.

As the quarry is filled in, new trees, shrubs and grassland will be planted, with sheep being allowed to graze there until planting has been completed.

Mr Chapman estimated there would be a maximum of five return journeys to and from the site on a given day, with the entire infilling process expected to take three years.

But Lavigna Carey, who lives near the quarry, argued that the traffic impact of the plans had been severely underestimated in surveys carried out in 2020.

She said: "The report says there are about 20 vehicles going up and down the lane in an hour – but it doesn't take account of the fact that many of these tractors, trailers, balers and huge lorries. It can get very busy at harvest time.

"It's not just that this is a rat run down to the Gibbs Marsh Trading Estate. Please will you undertake an additional survey?"

Councillor William Wallace, whose Blackmore Vale division includes the site, also raised concerns about traffic levels down the narrow lanes.

He said: "I was on this same committee back in 2006 when we turned a similar application down for this site – and I think it should be turned down again today.

"It is nearly impossible for two large vehicles to pass each other without a passing place. This lane is very bendy and very tight.

"A two-feet ditch has been dug out of the verge going from the A357 up to the site itself. If you're forced over onto that site of the road (on the Somerset side), you would go down without trace."

The council's highways officer said there had been no reports of collision on Landshire Lane in the last five years.

Councillor Ann Bown sympathised with Ms Carey's concerns, stating she had seen similar problems in her Bridgwater West division.

She said: "I can understand why they want to do this. We realise there's been a quarry there for a number of years, but what concerns me is that vehicles have got bigger – and the lane has not.

"This needs to be looked at. If you meet an agricultural lorry you are going to go into the ditch. I've had this problem in my own area and it's caused no end of problems with my residents."

Other committee members, however, argued the benefits of restoring the former quarry outweighed any concerns over traffic levels.

Councillor John Clarke said: "We do have a duty to restore this site. I welcome the efforts being made to protect the badger sett."

Councillor Nigel Hewitt-Cooper added: "If this went to appeal, I don't think we'd have a leg to stand on."

After around an hour's debate, the committee voted unanimously to approve the plans, with the proviso that no vehicle movements to or from the site would be allowed on weekends and bank holidays.