THE last working plant at a former Otley quarry is to grind to a halt after planners refused to grant it four more years in business.

Leeds City Council's plans west sub-committee said the bid by ARC Northern to retain a concrete mixing plant was unacceptable given the closure of the Bridge End quarry in 1997.

And as a lone development without a partnering extraction plant, it was deemed inappropriate within green belt surroundings by the River Wharfe.

The quarry and the plant have sparked numerous objections from residents over several years.

Pollution, visual intrusion and traffic levels were the subject of 37 letters written to Leeds City Council after ARC's initial application was advertised in March 1997.

Otley Town Council also rejected the move. This week Councillor Phil Coyne said the decision was a tribute to the strength of public opposition.

He said: "I very much welcome it, it's totally in line with the wishes of the community. It brings 42 traffic movements a day which Otley could well do without."

Now the site will close for good next Tuesday after 50 years of quarry work with the loss of ten jobs. An ARC Northern spokesman said the company was 'extremely disappointed'.

He said: "We will take a long hard look at the reasons for refusal when we get them in writing from Leeds City Council.

"When we see what they have to say we will review the situation. It's too early at the moment to state what we will do then."

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