PLANS to quarry up to 3,000 tonnes of stone a year from an old quarry near Brierley have upset nature lovers who say it is a haven of peace and refuge for rare birds like the goshawk.
The application by Richard Read to start work at the quarry will be discussed by the Forest planning meeting on February 1, and their recommendation will go to the county council for a decision.
However to counter local fears Richard Read senior told the Review it had always been a working quarry which he had taken over from the Forestry authority, then the Ministry of Agriculture, 20 years ago.
The present application was in order to renew a licence which had lapsed recently because of an oversight.
He intended only to quarry stone for restoration work on historic buildings and the only tipping on the site would be stone and debris which had been removed to get at the bedrock. He could see no harm being done to local wildlife.
However local people say they would like an inquiry into the proposals, which they claim will mean more heavy transport on an already busy road besides wrecking the peace of secluded walks and a cycle trail which are much-loved for their tranquillity.
A publicity campaign is being organised to make others aware of just what the plans will mean.
Roy Leyshon, who has lived in the area for many years, says he also fears the workings may be used for dumping other materials – and the quarry connects with a water system which would mean environmental damage.
"I have seen so many birds and animals there," he said. "I would like to see nature experts go in and see what it's like.
"I've been here all my life and I know the old mine workings. The watercourses all go through the quarry and run over a layer of clay on thin coal. This feeds into the water table right down through Lydbrook to the river."
Richard Read senior said he thought the protesters did not appreciate how little impact the plans would have. "They should read the proposals more carefully," he said.