Lingerbay application refused

LAFARGE Redland Aggregates say they are 'extremely disappointed' with the Scottish Executive's decision to refuse permission for the development of a coastal superquarry at Lingerbay in South Harris.

First submitted almost 10 years ago, the company's application was finally turned down on 3 November by newly appointed Scottish Environment Minister Sam Galbraith. The decision came shortly after a recent court ruling compelling the Scottish Executive to bring the matter to a conclusion.

John Leivers, Lafarge Redland Aggregates' director of lands and planning, said: 'We are particularly disappointed that the arguments put forward at the Public Inquiry have not gained the support of the Scottish Executive, in spite of the fact that they were totally in line with Government policy and the Chief Reporter recommended that planning permission should be granted.'

However, Robert Durward, director of the British Aggregates Association, welcomed the Scottish Executive's decision. 'Despite the promises of the applicant, this development would have cost jobs, not created them. In return for a few low-paid menial jobs in Harris, large numbers of quarrying jobs elsewhere in Scotland would have been lost,' he said.

Lafarge Redland Aggregates say they plan to study the decision in minute detail to determine the course of any future action.