A CONTROVERSIAL planning application that could see a former quarry reopen after almost 100 years is set to go before councillors next week.

Haltwhistle-based Border Stone Quarries submitted an application more than two years ago to quarry sandstone from Prudham Quarry, which is home to a body of water known as “The Blue Lagoon” by Tynedale residents.

The application was submitted more than two years ago, and will finally be debated by Northumberland County Council at the strategic planning meeting on Tuesday.

In a report, council officers have recommended that the application is approved, subject to a number of conditions.

The application has been met with staunch opposition from residents, with more than 170 objections submitted to the authority.

David Curry, who lives near the quarry, fears his house could be flooded if the quarry reopens.

David said: “Our house was built in 1980 on the site of the quarrymen’s cottages.

“There is a spring in our garden a few metres away from the location of the exit of an old tunnel that is now buried under soil heaps.

“In 2013 Border Stone Quarries removed a large quantity of stone from the quarry as samples.

“Following that our spring, which had been dormant, suddenly came to life and repeatedly flooded our garage and workshop.

“Regular flooding is also an ongoing problem with other properties in Frankham.”

Other complaints about the applications have centred around an increase in noise caused by quarry work, and concerns about large trucks using the area’s roads.

Concerns have also been raised about the impact of reopening the quarry on local wildlife.

Resident Judith Whitaker said: “There’s so much wildlife up there, it’s absolutely beautiful. It’s a little haven for wildlife, and we don’t have many of those left in this country.”

Border Stone Quarries were contacted about the issue, but declined to comment.