Opposition is mounting to plans for a quarry on the edge of a village on the Norfolk Broads, with locals arguing it will “put hell" into the area.

Dust, noise, extra traffic and the lack of distance between the site and homes were among the issues raised by the 40 Haddiscoe residents who packed into the village hall as part of a move to mobilise against the scheme.

Plans for a 52-acre quarry off Crab Apple Lane, which would be in use for seven years, were submitted to Norfolk County Council late last year.

It would be used to extract gravel for local construction projects, including the dualling of the A47 and the proposed building of the Norwich Western Link road.

Eastern Daily Press:

The meeting was led by the parish council and the Stop It 2 campaign – a group set up to oppose the quarry.

Representatives from Breedon, the company behind the plans, did not attend the summit.

Ray Long, chairman of the council, objected to the community having to oppose another quarry plan in the village, having spent years fighting the original Stop It campaign, against a proposed quarry that was ultimately turned down in 2014.

Residents said that scheme had cost them around £20,000 in legal fees. 

“We want them to stop all mineral extraction in this area because they’re going to keep coming back [with new planning applications]," Mr Long said.

“It’s like having a gun to your head, it’s not good.” 

A member of the public also raised concerns about the combined impact of the plans and an expected application on a former quarry in the village, describing the schemes as putting “hell into this village”.  

The campaigners acknowledged the need for quarries and materials needed for construction but criticised locations close to people’s houses.  

David Abbott, from Stop It, said: "It shouldn't impact other people and their mental or physical health.

"They shouldn't be 20, 30, 40 meters away from people's houses."

Eastern Daily Press:

Daryl Packer, a former mining engineer and member of Stop It 2, added: "We have been through all this once, it's disgraceful we have to go through it again at a time when everyone is struggling with the cost of living.

"We have had three quarries [in Haddiscoe] already. When is enough enough?"

A spokesperson from Breedon said: “We will continue to engage with all relevant stakeholders in relation to our proposed development, including the local community with whom we have shared the details of our plans at every stage of the process.”