Leader of the Welsh Conservatives and Clwyd West MS Darren Millar has written to Denbighshire County Council to outline his strong objections to a planning application to extend the time period to extract aggregates at the Burley Hill Quarry, Eryrys.

Darren has been contacted by many local residents expressing grave concerns about the application and the impact that an extension to the life of the quarry will have on the economic wellbeing of the locality and quality of life for local residents and visitors.

 In a letter to Denbighshire County Council, Darren outlined 10 reasons why the application should not be granted:  

1. The quarry is within the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty where such activity is to be discouraged; the applicant has failed to demonstrate exceptional circumstances which merit an extension to the permit.
2. The need for aggregate from the site has not been sufficiently demonstrated.
3. Welsh Government policy on sustainability prefers the use of recycled materials rather than virgin aggregates for the construction and engineering industries.
4. There are other local quarries that are active and could meet the current and future demand for materials.
5. Access to the site is poor and this poses risks to highway safety.
6. The site has been dormant for many years with only limited activities throughout the period which I have represented the Clwyd West constituency (since 2007).
7. There are now more residential properties in the locality which have been developed in anticipation of the closure of the site.
8. Tourism has boomed in the locality due to the dormant nature of the site and any reactivation of commercial quarrying would jeopardise businesses and jobs which depend on the visitor economy.
9. Noise nuisance from the quarry would have an adverse impact for miles around but especially for those living close to the site.
10. Pollution from dust could adversely affect public health of local residents.

 Commenting on the application, Darren said: 

 “The reasons for refusing this application are plentiful and I am not surprised that I have been contacted by so many residents who are against the application. 

 “Llanferres Community Council have set up a petition against the proposals which has been signed by almost 400 people. As they state, the aim of objecting to the current application is to protect new businesses established since the quarry closed 20 years ago, to protect local residents from noise and pollution, and to safeguard road safety along the route from Pant Du, through Nercwys and into Mold. 

“Opposing reopening the quarry will also ensure wildlife habits are protected and the tranquillity of the AONB is maintained.

“The planning application is being considered by Denbighshire County Council's planning commitee on Wednesday (April 9th 2025), and  I urge members to seriously consider all these reasons for objection before casting their vote. 

“An extension to this quarry would be severely detrimental to the local area.”