CONCERNED villagers fighting plans to build a quarry on their doorsteps have blasted a Warwickshire County Council meeting to discuss the scheme "a shambles".

Warwickshire County Council is setting aside the land located just 600 metres from the centre of the village as a potential quarry in its Minerals Plan.

A coach filled with Salford Priors residents attended the heated cabinet meeting on Thursday, October 6, with many wearing dust masks to highlight the potential health implications, if the quarry goes ahead.

Protesters turned up and accused the council of devastating their peaceful village.

Professor Carolyn Roberts provided an environmental report produced on behalf of SPAGE (Salford Priors Against Gravel Extraction) highlighting concerns about transport and traffic dangers, noise, water pollution and flooding, dust emissions, ecology and wildlife damage, scenic intrusion and human health implications.

One of the residents, Sally Sheen, who lives in the heart of the site, invited the cabinet to imagine themselves living at the centre and edge of the quarry, describing the daily reality of the noise, dust and its mental and physical impact on daily life.

Councillor Mark Cargill, who represents Bidford West and Salford Priors, asked for the document to be withdrawn citing inaccurate claims and pointed out that the scheme is being promoted by Warwickshire County Council, the planning committee is also Warwickshire County Council and the extraction would be administered by Warwickshire County Council.

But despite strong calls for the plans to be scrapped councillors voted in favour of its publication.

Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Cargill said: "It is disappointing on many levels. It is not as if they will make millions of pounds out of this thing.

"It is hanging over the community, giving them a sense of dread. They feel like they cannot move and that they won’t be able to sell their house for years and years to come.

"It is very difficult for them," he added.

A Warwickshire County Council spokesman said: "Several members of the Salford Priors action group presented their concerns at the last cabinet and these were noted by cabinet members.

"The environmental report submitted by the local residents will be considered in detail by officers as part of the consultation process and reported back to members next year.

The proposal has now entered a six week public consultation.