CONCERNED residents packed a village hall for the first public meeting of an anti-quarry group.

More than 80 people went to the Frating Against Mineral Extraction meeting to ask questions and hear what action the group was taking.

Chairman Rod Owen appealed for residents’ help. He said: “Ten minutes of your time now could save us 20 years of a quarry in our village.”

Gary Scott, district councillor for Alresford, announced he had submitted a motion to Tendring Council calling on it to oppose all quarrying sites in the district.

Villagers raised concerns, including potential damage to habitat, dust and noise pollution and the risk of subsidence.

Of particular worry was where site traffic would enter and leave the village.

Vice-chairman Neil Smith said: “There’s talk of them building a fly-over to let lorries turn straight on to the A120 to Harwich.”

The campaigners have knocked on every door in the village and put up banners and signs to make those driving through the village aware of the campaign.

The group is also liaising with the parish council which has formed a working group to respond to the current consultation.

Michael Brown, chairman of Frating Parish Council, thanked the group for its efforts.

He said: “The consequences are clear for us to see and it has been our role to ensure the county council knows this also.”

Essex County Council has identified a 47-hectare site at Frating as one of several preferred sites for a sand and gravel quarry.

A consultation on the Minerals Development Document Preferred Approach is running until February 17.

To view the sites and comment visit www.essex.gov.uk/MDD-consultation or call 01245 435555 to find out more.

Other sites recommended for development in north Essex include Alresford, Thorrington, Ardleigh, Great Bentley, Rivenhall, Rayne, Witham, Silver End, Stanway, Fingringhoe and Birch.