PLANS have been submitted to Thurrock Council for a large new minerals extraction site and processing plant adjacent to a rural village.

The submission for land close to Linford - which cost potential site operators Ingrebourne Valley Ltd £78,000 to put in for consideration - would see the loss of agricultural land around Walton Hall Farm.

It will see an expansion from the existing Orsett Quarry into adjoining land and the erection of a processing plant and ancillary activities, importation and treatment of reclamation material.

At the end of the site's extraction life, expected to be around 20 years, the whole site would be restored and returned to farmland.

Thurrock Council is currently calling for the public's view on the scheme, which it classes as a major development that will have an impact on the local setting.

The scheme has already been described as an opportunity by Essex Bridleways Association who say that the site development offers the potential to increase bridleway access in the area.

Mrs Sue Dobson of the Association says: "We would ask that consideration is given for footpath 41, which runs along the northern boundary of the site linking Butts Lane and Buckingham Hill Road, is upgraded to bridleway status.

"This right of way is on land wholly in the control of the applicant so a condition of the permission for the scheme of restoration is achievable in this instance. Similarly, to enhance the network, a new bridleway within the land parcel should be created linking the upgraded footpath 41 running alongside Buckingham Hill Road to link with the Hoford Roadat the south western corner of the site.

"This will provide links southwards to the Coal Road (bridleway) and to Coalhouse Fort for walkers, cyclists and equestrians."