A MINERALS extraction company has been given permission to carry on digging for the next 42 years.

Calne town councillors said the limit should be 25 years but county councillors agreed on the longer time.

Tarmac Heavy Building Materials has been quarrying sand and gravel from Compton Bassett quarry for 30 years.

Waste materials are tipped on the site as part of the restoration of the land.

In 1986 permission was also granted for Bristol Readymix to have a concrete batching plant on site but a condition limited that operation until October this year.

Wiltshire county councillors have agreed however that the condition should be varied to 2042.

This means the concrete works will have to close in that year or when quarrying ceases, if that is earlier.

County planning officers told the environmental services committee there are no justifiable reasons for refusing the extension of time.