A quarry will be allowed to expand into fields near Stoke-on-Trent where an RAF bomber crashed during the Second World War.

Dalecrete has secured planning permission to extend Captain's Barn Farm Quarry, east of the A520 between Weston Coyney and Cellarhead.

The area includes the site where a Wellington bomber crashed during a training flight in January, 1943, with two of its crewmen being killed. Planning committee members at Staffordshire County Council were told that extensive archaeological investigations were carried out as part of the quarry application, with the permission of the Ministry of Defence.

And while the exact location of the crash is not known, planning officers say it is unlikely that 'significant remains' of the aircraft remain at the application site. It is assumed that the crash site was actually outside the extension area, or all the aircraft remains were recovered immediately after the crash.

Planning committee members voted to approve the application to expand the quarry.

The area includes the site where a Wellington bomber crashed during a training flight in 1943 (Google).

Dalecrete secured planning permission for the sand and gravel quarry following an appeal in 2006, with the material being used in the company's concrete batching plant. The westward extension will see an additional 2.7 million tonnes of sand and gravel extracted over 20 years.

Andy Carp, speaking for the applicant, told the committee that the extension was needed due to the low gravel content in the existing quarry, which was making the operation of the concrete plant 'very challenging'.

He added: "Dalecrete is a family firm that has been operating for 39 years, having gained permission to open this quarry in 2006. In 18 years there have been no public complaints, and no road traffic accidents. The family has always worked hard to be a good neighbour, establishing a liaison committee at the beginning, which is supportive of this application."

Mr Carp said Dalecrete are 'enthusiastic custodians of the land', and there were plans for conservation enhancements such as tree-planting, wildflower meadows and ponds.

The application has received no objections, and planning officers recommended it for approval, subject to conditions.

One condition relates to archaeological works being carried out with in accordance with a submitted scheme, while another requires the submission of measures to ensure access to a memorial plaque on the north east boundary of the site.

Planning officer David Bray said the investigations carried out in relation to the crash site had satisfied the council's archaeologist and Historic England. He said: "The county council's archaeologist's view is that it would seem unlikely that there would be significant remains associated with the crashed aircraft. It's reasonable to conclude that subject to the conditions the development would not have an unacceptable impact."

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