Call to end quarry row

A photomontage of how the site could look

The Scottish Executive is coming under increasing pressure to settle the Lingerbay superquarry row - Scotland's most expensive and longest-running planning application.

The scheme to open Europe's largest quarry on the island of Harris was the subject of a heated public inquiry. It ended five years ago but no decision was reached.

MSPs and councillors in the Western Isles are now say that the delay in settling the application from Redlands Aggregates is a "national disgrace".

They believe if the issue is not settled soon, future investment on the island could be affected.

'Out-of-date findings'

The planning inquiry ended in June 1995, and the Reporter, Gillian Payne, retired soon after.

She had to be called back to complete her report, which is understood to have recommended that the quarry should go ahead.

First Minister, Donald Dewar, promised at a public meeting in Stornoway last year that the decision would be made in months rather than years.

In Harris, it will introduce an entirely new dimension of huge-scale industrial impact in an area officially recognised for its scenic value

Friends of the Earth

Councillors are concerned that the report's findings could now be out of date.

Highland SNP MSP, Duncan Hamilton - who has tabled parliamentary questions on the reasons for delay - said the ministers' "dithering" had led to uncertainty which was bad for development in the whole of Scotland.

An executive spokesman said a decision would be announced as soon as possible.

'Environmental risk'

Lingerbay would not be Scotland's first coastal superquarry - permission was granted for Foster Yeoman's Glensanda site in 1989 - but it would be the first in a national scenic area, and the first near people's homes.

One of the opponents of the application, Friends of the Earth, says: "In any part of Britain, the quarry would be industrial development on an enormous scale.

"In Harris, it will introduce an entirely new dimension of huge-scale industrial impact in an area officially recognised for its scenic value.

"The sheer level of shipping proposed would present a risk to the marine environment and local economy of South Harris."