Councillors are being asked for their views on a new quarry site being considered near Ellon.
The Chap Group (Aberdeen) Ltd has lodged plans with Aberdeenshire council for a mineral extraction site at Muirtack, five miles north of the town.
The sand and gravel quarry would be in operation for between five and 15 years “depending on demand for the resource” and has received numerous objections ahead of its planning decision.
A petition against the development carrying 311 names has been submitted as well as 84 lodged objections which are concerned with issues such as the impact on the road network, wildlife, noise and concerns over dust and air pollution.
Dougie and Shirley Smith own a livery business next door to the proposed site and claim clients who keep horses with them would desert their stables should Chap Aberdeen be granted permission.
Mr and Mrs Smith have been running the livery for two years and having built their business from scratch, the pair now fear that their idyllic life could be thrown into disarray with “the stroke of a pen”.
Mr Smith said: “It wouldn’t just affect us, it would devastate us. Our business would be finished at the stroke of a pen.”
One Insch resident, Jill Mercer wrote a letter of objection because her parents live nearby the proposed quarry site and said they would “become prisoners in their own home”, adding: “They would be driven from their home after 37 years of living there. They plan to put a passing place right outside my parent’s front door – it is absolutely ludicrous.”
Another objector and Hill of Dudwick resident, Dr Neil Macrae said: “I believe this application raises serious matters pertaining to the health,wellbeing and safety of residents in the area.”
Members of the Formartine area committee will discuss the application on Tuesday, before the Buchan area committee has its final say.