QUARRY giant Tarmac is seeking to sink Swinden Quarry, at Cracoe, deeper by more than 150 feet and to extend its working life by an extra nine years.

The application to Yorkshire Dales National Park comes just six years after it was given permission to continue quarrying until 2030.

It would extend the working life of the site to December 31, 2039, with another two years tagged on to complete the environmental restoration of the workings.

But the excavation would not encroach beyond the existing footprint which was approved at the 2010 permission.

A full planning application has been submitted to the national park for a "deepening scheme" which would see the quarry plunge another 50 meters beyond the current permitted extraction depth.

As well as the extra extraction of limestone, the benefits would see the maintenance of 35 full time direct jobs followed by 12 full time jobs during the two year restoration period, said a Tarmac spokesman.

Indirect jobs connected to the quarry works were estimated at 85 with the creation of 45 indirect jobs during the restoration.

The limestone would continue to be removed by rail with a reduction of mineral movements to and from the site by lorry with a further reduction especially between 2035 and the end of 2039.

Broadly it was aimed to have 60 percent of minerals exported by rail between 2031 and 2039, the remaining 40percent by road.

"The sites operating hours are to remain unchanged with quarrying, processing and earthmoving taking place between 6am to 7pm Monday to Friday and 6am to 1pm on Saturday," he said.

North Yorkshire County Councillor Robert Heseltine, said: "At a first look the plan appears to be a reasonable one. The effect of deepening the quarry means there will be no scarring of the landscape but there could be some concern relating to water courses."

And Craven Councillor Richard Foster (Con) who represents Grassington ward, said he was content with the proposal because it was confined to the present limits of the quarry and would not infringe further on the landscape.

"And I'm pleased that jobs are to be maintained. Employment in the Dales is difficult to find so it is good that jobs will continue," he said.