Villagers in Fritton face another battle to stop a plan to set up a possible quarry in the Waveney Forest.The last-minute plan was submitted to Norfolk County Council by Bretts Aggregates on the final day of an eight week of public consultation on December 11.

Villagers in Fritton face another battle to stop a plan to set up a possible quarry in the Waveney Forest.

The last-minute plan was submitted to Norfolk County Council by Bretts Aggregates on the final day of an eight week of public consultation on December 11.

Residents of Fritton and neighbouring St Olaves fought off an initial application to extract minerals on the 326-acre site when it was included in a County Hall consultation on mineral extraction sites.

A petition opposing the quarry was signed by 20,000 people and an action committee was formed to campaign against the development.

The parish council also objected to highways officials earmarking the A143 Great Yarmouth to Diss road as a suitable access route to the quarry.

Keith Nunn, chairman of Fritton and St Olaves Parish Council, said: “This was a poor Christmas present for the villagers, but it was always felt that a major national company, miles away, would have little empathy for the fears and feelings of locals.

“We had anticipated such a move and have already requested time to counter the new proposal.”

Mr Nunn said that any heavy lorry traffic from a Fritton quarry would only add to the present congestion from Bradwell to Yarmouth's Pasteur roundabout.