Overburns Quarry - Fears for a blot on the landscape

12.24.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 10th Aug 2009

Jim Hume, Liberal Democrat MSP for the South of Scotland, has today echoed concerns raised by the Clyde River Action Group (CRAG) over plans to create a quarry near the River Clyde.

The MSP has received a large number of letters and emails from constituents worried about the development and is encouraging people to lodge a formal objection with South Lanarkshire Council.

Jim Hume MSP said:

“The proposed development takes in roughly 90 acres of land at Overburns Farm in Lamington which will be excavated for up to 15 years and proposes to take 4,600,000 tonnes of sand and gravel over that time.

“Open cast mineral excavation is not new to Clydesdale so the associated problems of heavy traffic burdens, noise, airborne dust particles and diesel fume pollution are well known to local people.

“My concern is primarily the environmental impact that such a large excavation will undoubtedly have on the immediate ecosystem, not to mention knock on effects for the surrounding habitats.

“If there is an overwhelming lack of public support for this development, the Council needs to recognise that in its final decision.”