A MAJOR consultation on where quarries and landfill sites could go in Norfolk in the future has been delayed again. Last year the public was asked to get involved in a debate looking at more than 160 proposed sites for land and gravel extraction and waste sites.

A MAJOR consultation on where quarries and landfill sites could go in Norfolk in the future has been delayed again.

Last year the public was asked to get involved in a debate looking at more than 160 proposed sites for land and gravel extraction and waste sites.

But due to the immense response Norfolk County Council received, a second stage of consultation on a shortlist of the preferred sites for inclusion in a so-called minerals and waste plan has been delayed again.

It was initially meant to be under way in autumn last year and then it was expected to be completed this summer. Now the county council says it will be held in the autumn.

Adrian Gunson, cabinet member for planning and transportation, said: “It is simply because of the volume of work and the fact that the election delayed the establishment of a member panel to go through the proffered sites before they go to cabinet.

“We hope to do this in the autumn, hopefully September. Then we will go out to consultation.

“I'm sorry for the uncertainty for people. On the other hand I'm sure the public would want us to do a thorough job.”

The first round of consultation sparked protests over a number of sites and some have been withdrawn.

At one point it was unclear if the second stage of consultation would go ahead because of changes in the way consultations can be run, which was part of the reason for the delays. But the council decided to go ahead.

Some 60,000 comments from 4,000 individuals were received from the public during the first consultation.

The county council has a duty to plan for enough quarries and landfill sites for use up to 2021. Sites included in the plan still have to get planning permission.