The number of public objections has more than doubled in the past week over plans for a new quarry near to the centre of one of the Highlands’ most picturesque towns.
There are now 12 letters of objection to Dutch company Natturproduckten quarrying sand and gravel one mile from Dornoch just off the A949 Evelix road which links the town to the A9.
There were five letters submitted at this time last week.
Among issues raised by locals in their comments are noise and dust pollution, the safety impact of increased HGV traffic on a busy road near a narrow pavement, the effect on wildlife and vegetation, and the danger of positioning an access junction from the road at the foot of a blind summit.
The proposed site, which will involve one year’s preparation and a nine-year progressive quarrying and restoration programme, sits just south of a glacial ridge deposit known as an “esker”.
Several of the comments submitted this week argue that this is a geological feature of national interest which should be protected and that existing quarries in the local area at Evelix and Auchlea, are not adhering to their restoration plans.
The letters have also highlighted that the wetland habitat of Loch-an-Treel, a small loch which sits adjacent to the 17.5-acre site, would be under threat.