THE extension of a quarry in Sandiway has finally been signed off — months after councillors unanimously approved the decision.

In August, Cheshire West and Cheshire Council’s planning committee gave Forest Hill Quarry owners Cemex permission to extract 350,000 tonnes of sand.

Speaking before the committee’s meeting in August, Emma Pearman, planner at Cemex, told members how the site is one of only three active within the borough, and material extracted regularly supplies building projects in Northwich, Winsford and Middlewich.

Ms Pearman said: “Without this site, the mineral would have to come from further afield, with HGVs travelling longer distances.

“Sand in the extension area will be processed at a rate of 75,000 tonnes per annum – the same as the current rate of output with the same operation and vehicle movement hours.”

However, the application’s section 106 agreement — an instrument used by councils to attach certain additional funding requirements on developers to approved applications — was only signed off on December 17.

The delay in finalising the S106 deal will not have an effect on the works at the Chester Road site, as works must begin within three years of the council publishing its decision notice.

The decision notice was formally submitted last week on January 21, meaning 575 days have passed from Cemex submitting its planning bid to the council to approval being issued.