A major quarrying company has promised to "boost biodiversity" through 44 acres of new wildlife habitat as it prepares to reopen a key Somerset quarry.

Somerset Council's strategic planning committee voted on June 6 to allow Heidelberg Materials UK (formerly Hanson UK) to reopen Whatley Quarry, which lies off the A361 between Frome and Shepton Mallet.

The decision was greeted with dismay by local residents and environmental campaigners, who branded the council "bats***" and raised concerns about the impact the quarry would have on local wildlife populations.

Heidelberg Materials UK has now responded that it would be taking a "progressive approach" to the site and would ensure that

Tristan Mabbitt, the company's land, planning and development manager, said: "We are pleased that our application to update existing conditions ahead of reopening Westdown quarry have been approved by the committee.

Part of the land to be redeveloped (image vy Liz Snook)

"This follows all issues raised by statutory stakeholders being satisfactorily addressed, plus the recommendation for approval by Somerset Council's planning officers.

"Our proposals will see quarrying operations limited to within the existing boundary of Westdown Quarry, which has been dormant since the 1980s, and will not increase its footprint.

"The successful application is based on reopening the quarry using modern practices and providing a progressive and final restoration plan.

"Importantly, it will also allow our nearby Whatley Quarry to focus its depleting reserves on supplying national demand via its rail link, with Westdown supplying local demand.

"Combined, aggregate volumes will remain the same as the current permitted levels for Whatley, with this approach helping to cut carbon emissions and keep HGVs away from local villages."

The company announced in May that it would not be redeveloping the 'quarry void' near the locally cherished Asham Wood. which covers nearly 141 hectares (347 acres) in the Mendip Hills between Leigh-upon-Mendip and Nunney.

Protestors at Nunney Castle (image by Liz Snook)

Mr Mabbitt said: "Our proposals include extensive mitigation measures to reduce any potential impacts on the environment, while ensuring that the adjacent Asham Wood and special area of conservation to the north-west of the site remains protected.

"Steps we will take to boost biodiversity within our boundary include enhancing wildlife habitats through the retention and augmentation of hedgerows and woodland on the edge of the site as well as planting native broadleaved trees and shrubs on the screening bunds plus, an eight-metre-wide shrub belt for dormice and bats around the perimeter.

"The scheme also features the upfront creation of 44 acres of well-connected habitat to the north of the quarry with woodland planting and the creation of species rich grassland.

"Our progressive approach means that the quarry benches will be restored and planted with a combination of calcareous grassland, trees and scrubs as the quarry is deepened.

"In addition, a wide range of new habitats will be created during restoration, forming a diverse landscape, reflective of the area's natural character."

Michael Oatley, who lives in Nunney, had argued that reopening the quarry could have "concerning" implications for the entire Mendip Hills water table.

Speaking in early-June, he said: "Already many of the springs have dried up in surrounding farmland.

"The water in the Nunney Brook and other local streams is completely controlled by the quarries with the water from their holding ponds.

"What happens to these springs when the quarries go below the water table and aquifers?"

Mr Mabbitt responded: "Our proposals include a range of measures to protect nearby water sources, set out in a construction environment management plan, and stringent monitoring will also take place.

"An independent survey found that continuing operations at Whatley and reopening Westdown would contribute more than £2.2bn to the national economy up to 2042 and a further £750.5m in tax revenue.

"Together the two sites would also support more than 200 jobs and a further 730 in the regional supply chain for at least the next 20 years.

"There's now a lot of work to be done, with enabling works likely to take between 12 and 18 months ahead of the resumption of extraction at Westdown Quarry."