A QUARRY near Crossgates that supplies stone for new houses and roads will give a "welcome boost" to the local economy by digging deep for 40 years.

Collier Quarrying and Recycling's application to extend operations at Goathill was given the go ahead by Fife Council last week.

The company bought the land and obtained permission in 2010 to operate the rock quarry until 2025, with a further 18 months for restoration.

That's now been extended, and the site will be expanded to the south, after Colliers said there was more than eight million tonnes of rock in the ground at Goathill that should allow extraction work for a total of 40 years.

The company's planning consultants, AMS Associates, said: "This will enable the company to increase all aspects of the on-site facilities and workforce and give a welcome boost to the local economy in particular, with the period of the quarry operation being extended to 40 years, the quarry being progressively restored forming a country park for access by the local general public with a greater biodiversity of wildlife developed."

The quarry contains quartz dolerite stone, a premium quality product, and is located at Easter Bucklyvie, between Crossgates and Aberdour, and close to the Mossmorran petrochemical complex.

Colliers plan to extract an average of 200,000 tonnes a year.

The company supplies aggregates, sand and concrete for construction projects and housebuilding and high quality stone for "skid resistant road surfaces" – demand for the latter has been increasing throughout Scotland and England.

Rock armour for major sea defence and port regeneration projects, such as the promenade at Kirkcaldy, will also come from Goathill.

The actual quarry area will increase from around 12 hectares to 30 hectares, they'll lease land from Foresty and Land Scotland, and the permission includes removal of woodland, soil stripping, rock extraction and processing, with final restoration works and aftercare for a further two years.

The statement from AMS added: "The success of the company and its operation at Goathill would not have been possible without a valued, dedicated and skilled workforce of 30 employees and the support of local sub-contractors and various consultants.

"It is recognised that local communities have been supportive during the company’s quarrying operations, this having been reciprocated by supplying products and manpower to various projects as well as monetary donations."

Colliers' application for a plant to produce asphalt for road surfacing and a unit that takes 'bottom ash' – the end product after rubbish is burned in energy from waste plants – and blends it with stone aggregate from Goathill to create a secondary aggregate.

Planning permission in retrospect was also given for a concrete batching plant, storage shed, testing laboratory and site settlement ponds.

A council report said: "Minerals for construction projects and road building are a key requirement in maintaining the economic health of Fife and beyond.

"Premium quality minerals such as those which exist at Goathill are particularly sought after and extensions to existing quarries are preferred to the establishment of new quarries wherever possible.

"There are no outstanding objections to the proposal and no neighbours or other members of the public have made representations in respect of the proposed development."