COUNCIL planners have recommended approval for controversial plans for crushing and screening operations at a Kingswinford quarry.

Despite residents' protests and a 1,200 name petition against the plans, council officers say the authority's development control committee should approve the application for Ketley Quarry.

The committee will make its decision on Monday November 19 and campaigners, who have already staged a protest at Dudley Council House, are expected to be out in force for the debate.

Councillors on the committee will consider three applications from quarry operators WCL Quarries Ltd, two for the discharge of conditions of operation and another to allow recycling and treatment of inert materials like building rubble.

Campaigners living near the site, which has an entrance on Dudley Road opposite to Pensnett Trading Estate, say an increase in operations at the quarry will make their lives a misery.

They argue trucks using the site create dangerous congestion and leave mud on the road, while dust and noise from the quarry blights their lives.

However the report says there have been no objections to the plans from the Health and Safety Executive, Health Protection Agency or Health Protection Agency.

The report also says the plans, which would lead to an increase from 120 to 200 traffic movements per day at the site, would not be a problem.

The report concludes: "Limited additional traffic movements will not have an adverse impact on vehicular flows or safety.

"Activities undertaken to produce the secondary aggregates will not have an adverse impact on residents in terms of noise.

"Dust and health implications have been considered in the application process, no health related impacts are likely to arise."