A JUDGE yesterday dismissed a councillor's claim that he was unlawfully banned from a meeting discussing the future of a North-East quarry.

North Yorkshire Councillor Paul Richardson claimed he was barred from a key council meeting to discuss gravel and sand extraction from Ripon City quarry, near his home. But, in a case which was being closely watched by other local authorities, Mr Justice Richards dismissed the allegation and upheld the council's 2002 decision to grant planning consent.

Mr Richardson, councillor for Masham and Fountains, lives in Littlethorpe, which is only 250 metres from the quarry. Joining him in his High Court challenge was parish councillor Wendy Orme.

The judge rejected claims that Mr Richardson had been "instructed to withdraw" from the meeting of the council's planning and regulatory functions committee - although he had been "advised" to do so. That advice, the judge added, had been correct as Mr Richardson did indeed have a prejudicial and personal interest in the issue being debated because of the proximity of the site to his home, Ox Close House, which is one of a handful of properties most seriously affected.

Mr Justice Richards also rejected claims there had been no adequate environmental impact assessment before consent was granted. The judge did uphold criticisms of the council based on its "clear failure" to make the main reasons for its decision immediately available for public inspection.

Describing that failure as "very unsatisfactory", the judge issued an order against the council forcing it to properly comply with the requirements for publicity.