Quarry operators given the go-ahead for a major expansion three years ago are now seeking permission to import minerals to the site.

Ripon City Quarry, alongside Ripon Racecourse, was given approval for mineral extraction until February 2011.

At the time, planners imposed a condition on owners, Brown and Potter Limited, to control importing minerals.

North Yorkshire County Council's environmental chief Mike Moore is now recommending that councillors agree to drop the condition when the county planning committee meets on Tuesday.

Mr Moore says the firm wants to import small quantities of soft sand and other similar materials.

"The operators are making this request as, to their knowledge, this type of sand is not provided anywhere else in North Yorkshire. Nevertheless, it has certain specialist applications for which there is a small, but strong local demand," he said.

Mr Moore said it would involve two additional lorries arriving at the site per day.

But the scheme has sparked an objection from the Hewick and Hutton Parish Council, because of the extra traffic.

They are particularly concerned about the impact on Hewick Bridge, on the Ripon to Boroughbridge road.

The parish council has been appealing to have the 60mph limit reduce to 40mph, and to have the road widened.

Until this happens, they say they will continue to object to plans generating any extra traffic.

Ripon City Quarry supplies washed sand and gravel, as well as concrete, to a localised market in the Ripon area.

Mr Moore is recommending councillors give the go-ahead for a year and then review the situation. In addition, he recommends the quarry operator cannot exceed more than two vehicle movements a day for importing the materials, unless separately approved by county planners.