ASHBURTON residents and town councillors viewed proposed Linhay Hill Quarry extension plans on Wednesday.

An exhibition by quarry owners Glendinning was held in the town hall, ahead of the company’s formal application to Dartmoor National Park Authority.

A steady stream of visitors attended during the day. The company’s chairman, Ian Glendinning, and managing director Barry Wilson, also gave a presentation to Ashburton Town Council’s planning meeting in the evening.

Ian Glendinning said: ‘There was a good turnout at the exhibition and it was important to have the opportunity to meet our near neighbours, local people and also the town council to update the community on our proposals and take on board their comments.

‘We were pleased with the response and we will be taking into consideration the comments received as we refine the details of our planning application before submitting this to Dartmoor National Park Authority.’

Mr Glendinning said plans to extend Linhay Hill Quarry would secure the long-term future of his business, which employs 240 people directly, creates significant additional employment indirectly and contributes up to £6 million a year to the Devon and Dartmoor economies.

He added: ‘This is not about increasing profitability or profit, it is about securing the future of our current business activity. The proposals will not increase lorry traffic to and from our quarry and we will not need to compulsory purchase any land or property.’

For more than 50 years, Linhay Hill Quarry has supplied a range of materials for new roads and highways maintenance, the construction of schools, homes and hospitals and agricultural use across Devon.

The proposed extension would allow for the extraction of additional reserves for a further 40 years.

For more information on the plans, www.linhayhillquarryextension.co.uk.