Opponents who are trying to stop plans to re-open Westdown Quarry close to Frome, are asking for a last push to stop the application.

The restarting of quarrying between Chantry and Nunney, will. they say, destroy woodland, threaten wildlife and lead to unacceptable numbers of lorries causing noise and dust pollution on small country roads.

Westdown quarry has been disused for 40 years and adjoins the ancient Asham Woods in the Mendips - a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

The area already has two working quarry sites, Whatley quarry and Torr Works quarry - which is one of the biggest quarries in Europe.

Owner Hansons has said that the re-opening will create much-needed jobs ; at least 40 full time jobs plus additional jobs in the local supply chain.

The company added that aggregate from the east Mendips was needed to construct homes, hospitals and schools as well as maintaining the road and rail networks, including huge demand from the High Speed rail link.

It added that Westdown quarry has permission for mineral extraction until 2042 and that its application to Somerset County Council was focused on bringing the existing permissions in line with modern environmental standards and quarrying practices.

After 30 June Somerset County Council will no longer take objections into account.

You can sign a petition against the re-starting of quarrying by clicking HERE : the Change Org site

Ian Strachan strategic development manager, of Hanson UK said " Importantly our proposals include significant ecological enhancements through the restoration of the adjacent Asham Wood wood area and the progressive restoration of the quarry*. This transformative legacy project will provide extensive biodiversity enhancements with the proposals shaped by the need to protect and enhance wildlife habitats**. The plans will also deliver safer access for pedestrians and horse-riders. "

• Quarry reclamation is an integral part of mineral extraction and, even while a quarry is still in operation, Hanson say they will reclaim those areas of the quarry no longer used – this is often referred to as progressive restoration.

• * The proposals for Westdown include:

The creation of small areas of woodland, notably in the Asham Wood void area;

Water based restoration within the main Westdown quarry void;