Residents 'disgusted' by plans to extend quarry

Islanders living near a quarry on Jersey's North Coast say they're "disgusted" at plans to expand the site into surrounding land.

Ronez quarry in St John want to extend the site by a tenth, which will mean shifting neighbouring Sorel Race Course to within 30 metres of homes.

One resident said it will be "like having a racecourse in their living room" because it will be so noisy and others raised concerns about traffic and the environment.

Steven Hewlitt lives in one of the houses closest to the racetrack. He says that moving it will bring more dust and more noise.

However, Managing Director of Ronez, Mike Osborne, said the expansion would not mean a noisier track, as they were putting in measures to prevent this.

But other residents have concerns about the environment and more traffic on the roads in St John.

Wade Lewis, who lives one mile away from the quarry, said the surrounding area was being eroded. "We should not allow that to happen without the greatest and careful scrutiny of the facts behind it, because bit by bit, the erosion of Jersey's green areas on this beautiful part of this island, is of some concern."

However, Ronez say they are protecting the environment.

Mr Osborne said: "We've put some land over to permanent grassland, we've got a woodland management scheme, we've introduced bee species, relocation of amphibions - and the list goes on."

The Jersey Motorcycle and Light Car Club, who use the race track, say they have been co-operating with Ronez over the plans.