A PUBLIC meeting will be held next week to discuss plans to re-open a quarry in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

A number of residents of Middleton-in-Teesdale and the surrounding area are worried about plans by Strathmore Estates to re-open Crossthwaite Quarry, near Holwick.

The quarry has been shut for more than two decades and residents feel that re-opening it could present a number of problems.

Resident Pam Phillips said: "There are a number of issues involved here, including health and safety.

"There are several children who live up that way and it could be dangerous with all the trucks passing through.

"It could also affect the tourist industry, which has been promoted heavily up here."

The quarry expects to mine 50,000 to 100,000 tonnes per year, and an average of ten to 20 loads may leave the site each day.

Mrs Phillips said: "The lane up that way is only 16ft wide and it is going to be very dangerous for people walking along the road."

John Gough, of David L Walker Chartered Surveyors, who are acting as agents for Strathmore Estates, said: "It is important to remember that the quarry already has planning permission.

"In order to re-open the quarry the landowners need to submit a new scheme to the planning authority, which is Durham County Council, to ensure that the highest environmental standards are met and Government regulations are complied with.

"We've written to the council to seek advice as to what elements they wish to see addressed and a full Environmental Impact Assessment will be carried out."

The council has written to statutory consultees to ask for their views and Strathmore Estates has been consulting with its tenants and residents.

Councillor Diane Mahood, chairwoman of Middleton-in-Teesdale Parish Council, said: "This has been quite an emotive issue and I've been approached by various parishioners about it.

"The council's been asked for its views by August 4. As we don't normally meet in August, I've called this extra-ordinary meeting to discuss the matter and set up a sub-committee which will feedback to the council."

The meeting takes place at Middleton-in-Teesdale Village Hall on Wednesday, at 6pm.