Plans to extend the life of a controversial quarry have been greeted with anger by protesters.

Wastepoint Ltd is appealing against a decision by Bradford Council not to allow work at Manywells Quarry, Cullingworth, to be extended until next March.

The landfill, in Manywells Brow, was originally due to be capped last March until councillors extended its life for a further six months, though they turned down a further application to add another half year to the licence.

Wastepoint is looking to overturn that decision by appealing to the Government.

One of those campaigning against the company's move is John Brigg, chairman of Cullingworth Parish Council, who claimed the community was still united against the landfill.

He said: "We were all expecting the landfill to be finished on September 22 but then we found out at the 11th hour that this appeal had been made.

"The application is for a six-month extension but I've had a look at the site and I don't think there's six months' fill left in the site. To me, it looks like they're just trying to stall for time."

Residents in the village, which neighbours a proposed landfill site in Denholme, are opposed to Manywells on the grounds that the smell and general pollution it creates is overbearing.

Mr Brigg added: "I think the appeal has probably become irrelevant. I think that by the time it is heard the site will be full."

The Shipley Area Planning Panel decided in March that while the landfill could go on until last month - giving it a full extra year, as Wastepoint had requested - would have a negative impact.

The company is appealing against the councillors' decision on the grounds that the timescale does not allow it sufficient time to catch up on work suspended because of, it claims, discussions between the Council and the Environment Agency over the terms of its operating licence.

Wastepoint managing director, Russell Sikora, said: "If we had been the planning permission when we originally asked for it we wouldn't be appealing against the Council's decision.

"We have used the legitimate tools available to us to get an extension for the short period required."

Any comments not forwarded to the original hearings should be written in triplicate and sent to the Planning Inspectorate, 3/23 Hawk Wing, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol, BS1 6PN by Tuesday, October 30, quoting reference APP/W4705/A/01/1073711.