Massive quarries would leave a scar on the landscape and create traffic chaos around already bottlenecked roads, claim angry councillors.
Braintree Council has opposed a 90 hectare site at Broadfield Farm, Rayne, which was said to be ten per cent the size of the village.
It also opposed three out of five extensions to Bradwell Quarry in Rivenhall, including one spanning 95 hectares, and a 46 hectare quarry at Colemans Farm in Little Braxted.
Essex County Council has suggested 16 sites across the county for sand and gravel extraction.
Members of the public have until tomorrow to comment on the draft minerals plan at consult.essexcc.gov.uk
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