Councillors have hit out at proposals for quarrying at a Cannock landfill site amid fears it would extend its life by two or three years.

The Poplars site in Lichfield Road has been put forward as a potential site.

It would help meet Staffordshire County Council’s mineral needs over the next 15 years. Around 2.8 million tons of clay would be available to be quarried over a 10-year period.

But leading Cannock Chase councillors say residents should not have to put up with smells, traffic and the view of the tip across the town any longer than necessary and have decided to formally object to the idea.  

Councillor Ann Bernard, cabinet member for housing and who represents Hawks Green ward, said: “I am pleased the council are objecting. Speaking as a resident who has lived near to the landfill since the estate was built in 1986, we bought our houses knowing that a landfill was nearby but that it had a closure date.

“They will fill up the hole created by the quarry with landfill.”

Council leader, Neil Stanley said: “People living near that site have been ticking off the years on their calendar for when the Poplars was due to close.”

Biffa Waste Services, who run the site, maintain there are no definite plans for a quarry at the Poplars.