A LOCAL firm hopes to create a jobs and environmental boost for the Wear Valley with a return to traditional industry combined with modern thinking.

Sherburn Stone is looking to open a quarry on 30 hectares of its land at Low Harperley Farm, near Wolsingham, which would be transformed into a nature reserve and tourist attraction when digging is complete.

But boss Paul Allison said the company would only press ahead with the proposal and seek planning permission if the scheme was what local people wanted.

He said: "I think it is a brilliant scheme, which could be hugely beneficial to the area.

"It could bring positive long-term changes to the local environment and employment and eventually for visitors and tourism.

"Feedback so far has been positive, if that continues I'll decide by the end of the month whether to go for it."

About 15 jobs would be created in quarrying and processing sand and gravel onsite and crumbling 18th Century listed farm buildings would be restored to provide 40 work and office spaces hopefully attracting enterprise to the Dale.

After quarrying, part of the site would be restored as a nature reserve stretching 1km along the River Wear and craters at the top of the site, joining Bradley Mill holiday park, would be made into water sports lakes.

Mr Allison said the scheme could also work alongside the recently reopened Weardale Railway which, if it later feeds into the main line at Bishop Auckland, could be used for haulage from the quarry.

An access road would be laid from the A689 and Harperley Station, encouraging tourists to visit the railway, nature reserve, leisure facilities at Bradley Mill and nearby POW Camp museum.

Mr Allison also proposes to develop the footpath and bridleway network in the lower dale, following calls from walkers and horse riders.

He said that five years after starting, 20 of the 30 hectares would be restored and left to mature creating wildlife habitat, half as woodland and half grassland and reed beds.

He said: "After 15 years, extraction would be complete and we'd be tidying up the site then leave it for nature and visitors."