A NEW quarry at Hewelsfield and extensions to others near Clearwell, Drybrook and Staunton are being considered in a potential expansion of rock extraction in the Forest.

The Forest has historically produced 70 per cent of the county's crushed limestone with the rest coming from the Cotswolds.

Limestone from the Forest is of such a quality that it can be used in high-specification concrete and products such as asphalt which is used on roads.

But there is a shortfall in the amount being produced which has led Gloucestershire County Council to consider expansion of quarries.

The potential sites are listed in the consultation on Gloucestershire County Council's emerging Minerals Local Plan although there are not yet any firm proposals.

A consultation meeting was held in Ruardean on Tuesday which included a potential expansion of Drybrook Quarry which is currently closed.

Another meeting will be held at the St Briavels Pavilion on Monday (July 7) between 2pm and 7pm.

Local people will be able to ask about the site at Hewelsfield which is being put forward by the landowner.

According to the plan – which covers the period until 2030 – the site could yield about 26 million tonnes but no operators are currently associated with it and so it would not be able to start production until late in the plan period.

The other proposals are expansions to the Clearwell and Stowfield quarries.

At the end of 2012 there was sufficient supplies for 18.5 years but there are currently not enough permitted reserves.

The county council's Cabinet member for planning, Cllr Will Windsor-Clive (Con, Newent) said: "We have a responsibility in the county to safeguard and secure supplies of construction materials given future housing needs.

"The options being put forward are by no means set in stone, therefore it's really important we gather the views of as many people as possible."