Kevin Green of Green’s Natural Stone Products has applied for planning permission to extend the working life of his Catlow buff sandstone quarry in Nelson, Lancashire, because reserves of stone have not been used up as quickly as anticipated in the recession.

A Planning Consent for the quarrying and production of natural sandstone for walling, paving and stone roofing tiles was granted in 1997. That expired in 2003. Since then the company has gained permission to extend the operating period several times. Now it hopes to do so again, extending the life of the operation this time to 2018, followed by restoration.

Green’s Natural Stone Products says the demand for hard landscaping products and building stone has diminished and the quarry is now supplying bespoke orders for products such as steps, lintels, jambs and pavors.

Catlow Quarry is equipped with saws, a dressing shed, water recycling area, a plateau to store product and blocks, two diesel generators and a stone splitter. The company says it has invested a considerable sum of money in the quarry since acquiring the rights to work the Catlow Stone. Part of the current application is to add another shed for masons to work in.

Green’s Natural Stone Products has also acquired reserves at Twist Hill quarry, which it plans to submit an application to re-open for flag and block stone production, although due to the remoteness of the Twist Hill quarry the company wants to process the stone with the machinery already at Catlow quarry. Green’s says it could also process other stone brought in from other quarries at Catlow.