PLANNING chiefs say a controversial application to extend a quarry near the site of 5,000-year-old monuments should be thrown out.

Officers from North Yorkshire County Council recommend that Tarmac Northern's plan to expand its Nosterfield Quarry, near Masham, North Yorkshire, is rejected.

They agree with experts from English Heritage who claim the land at Ladybridge Farm - near the Neolithic man-made circles known as Thornborough Henges - contains nationally important archaeology.

The recommendation will be passed to councillors when they decide on the extension application at a public meeting in Masham on Tuesday.

Mike Moore, the council's corporate director for environmental services, said in a report that the extension was contrary to the North Yorkshire Mineral Local Plan (NYMLP).

He said "It is considered that the (Tarmac) proposal broadly accords with the aims of the NYMLP in that the applicant has submitted a scheme which would give rise to no significant adverse impact upon local amenity, would see the phased restoration of the site to a mix of afteruses, would contribute to the short-term supply of minerals and sustain employment in the area.

"However, English Heritage has objected to the proposal on the grounds that it would have an unacceptable adverse impact on nationally important archaeology."

In response, Tarmac estates manager Bob Nicholson said: "The issue really is English Heritage's assertion that the few fragments which have actually been found on Ladybridge Farm constitute archaeology of national importance.

"In view of the economic importance of the quarry - it is the largest producer of sand and gravel in North Yorkshire and only three miles from the A1 - and the increase of haulage traffic from other quarries through villages, including Nosterfield, that would undoubtedly result if the quarry is forced to close.

"We would ask councillors to question whether English Heritage's officers have truly produced factual evidence to support their opinion."

Three petitions containing 9,680 signatures have been submitted by groups opposed to the extension. A petition of 334 names has also been collected by quarry employees who fear for their jobs if the application is refused.

A further 80 letters of support for the extension from workers, contractors and local businesses have also been handed to the council