THE House of Lords drew the final curtain on a long-running battle over rights to reopen a dormant limestone quarry yesterday.

Their decision is a landmark ruling which could have implications for planning laws.

But for Broadwood Quarry owners, Sherburn Stone Company, it could mean higher costs and fewer jobs in Weardale, County Durham.

Rodney Huddleston, a former quarry manager, who has lived next to Broadwood for 18 years, challenged the company when it wanted to invoke a 1947 planning agreement on the 90-acre site.

He argued that workings over the next 40 years should comply with modern day restoration conditions and was forced to go to court when a legal loophole barred planning authority Durham County Council from taking action.

In the Appeal Court last March, Mr Huddleston won the opportunity to be consulted over extraction work which he said could detrimentally affect his home and environment.

Now, Lords Steyn, Cooke and Scott have refused the Environment Secretary leave for an appeal against the Appeal Court ruling. They gave no reasons for their decision.

Mr Huddleston declined to comment last night.

But quarry owner Geoffrey Allison said that extra restrictions would hamper his operations and mean there would be fewer job opportunities.