FEARS have been raised a plan to install a concrete plant at a quarry in a special landscape area could shatter the peace of the surrounding countryside.

FEARS have been raised a plan to install a concrete plant at a quarry in a special landscape area could shatter the peace of the surrounding countryside.

The proposal has been made by Brett Aggregates, owners of the quarry at Rands Road, Layham, near Hadleigh.

But residents claimed noise levels from a gravel crusher at the quarry were already close to the maximum level allowed and they feared a concrete plant would push the noise to unacceptable levels.

A spokeswoman for Layham Parish Council said it had agreed to write to Suffolk County Council, which is responsible for granting permissions and monitoring quarrying, to highlight concerns about noise levels.

David Peachey, the county council's minerals assistant, said: "We have had a letter from Brett notifying us that they intend to build a concrete batching plant.

"A separate planning permission is not required for this as it is allowed under permitted development rights for quarry working. However, the company does need to make sure they don't exceed conditions approved by us over noise.

"Suffolk County Council took noise readings at the site early this year and late last year. We found that noise levels did not exceed the limits set."

A list of 39 conditions were imposed on Brett Aggregates in 1997 after it was given permission to landfill worked-out sections of the quarry with inert, non-organic waste. They covered noise levels, hours of operation, traffic routing and site restoration.

Regular meetings were also set up of a liaison group, made up of residents, members of Brett Aggregates, Babergh District Council and Suffolk County Council's minerals planning department.

Mike Courts, Brett's general manager (planning and development), said it had commissioned an independent noise assessment survey to assess the impact a concrete plant might have.

He added: "We have had a concrete plant there in the past and all we want to do is to put back what we have had. We think there's a market for ready-mixed concrete in the area.

"But the fact that we have permitted development rights does not mean we can put the plant in without producing a noise report. We may need to put in noise mitigation measures and Brett will abide by the recommendations in the report."