RESIDENTS are being urged to have their say over a major new plan for the extraction of millions of tonnes of minerals and the shaping of waste and recycling schemes in North Yorkshire.

A 600-page draft plan covering quarries, future mineral sites and recycling centres is up for consultation over the next few weeks.

North Yorkshire is one of the major sources of sand and gravel, crushed rock and magnesian limestone for the construction industry across the North-East, Yorkshire and the Humber.

To meet demand over the next 15 years and beyond North Yorkshire County Council has drawn up the plan of sites submitted by landowners and developers.

There are five in Richmondshire, nine in Hambleton and 13 in Harrogate Borough including at West Tanfield and near Masham. Some are earmarked to be discounted, but others at Langwith Hall Farm, and at Oaklands, near Well, and Home Farm, Kirkby Fleetham, and land to the west of Scruton, near Bedale are preferred or part preferred sites.

In Richmondshire, the Forcett Quarry at East Layton, is a preferred site, along with a waste transfer station at Harmby and a landfill and recycling site at Scorton. The council is asking residents to examine the plan to make sure they have their say over the eight-week consultation period.

Officers say the new policies are intended to give a high level of protection for the environment and local communities while acknowledging Government policy on minerals extraction and waste management sites to meet the needs for economic growth and development.

They say it is especially important that these developments take place without harming the landscape of the County which includes two National parks, four areas of outstanding natural beauty and a heritage coast.

Fracking and future policies on shale gas could also be looked at, although the consultation will not directly involve the current plans for fracking at Kirby Misperton, near Pickering.

County Cllr Chris Metcalfe, executive member for planning said: “The plan will form the basis for important decisions on these matters for the next 15 years. We welcome local residents and other interested organisations to tell us their views.”

County Cllr Arthur Barker has called for a list of the amount each quarry would contribute to the estimated demand for minerals.

He said: ”It is important that members of the public are aware of this and that they take the opportunity to examine the proposals and make their observations to the Council.”

For information go to www.northyorks.gov.uk