A decision to expand and extend operations at a quarry in Gelligaer has been deferred.

Caerphilly County Borough councillors have deferred the decision and asked planning officials to provide reasons for refusal.

Councillor Roy Saralis, chair of the planning committee, described the application as “one of the most controversial” ones he had seen.

Bryn Aggregates, part of the Bryn Group, applied to expand the quarry on Gelliargwellt Uchaf Farm, and extend operations for another 24 years.

An online petition opposing the application received 1,116 signatures and another petition received by the planning authority included 495 objections.

Residents protested against the expansion in September and again on October 30, citing noise, dust pollution and lorry movements as their main concerns.

Mark Roberts, the agent  representing the Bryn Group, said: “The application is much needed. It has been thoroughly assessed and scrutinised.”

Cllr Carmen Bezzina,  who represents the St Cattwg ward where the site is located, said: “If this is approved, residents will have to face the effects of this quarry for another 24 years.

“The residents have no confidence when it comes to planning complaints about the Bryn Group.”

Gelligaer Community Council, alongside Cllr Ann Gair, Cllr Donna Cushing and Cllr Teresa Parry, objected to the application.

Cllr John Bevan said: “The people of Gelligaer have suffered long enough.”

Planning officer Ryan Thomas said there were no outstanding complaints in relation to the Bryn Group.

Cllr John Ridgewell said he was “deeply concerned” about the application. He said he wanted to defer the decision because it was a “significant expansion” of the quarry and he felt he needed more information.

Meanwhile, Cllr Elizabeth Aldworth said she thought the application was a “big ask” and was not fair.

Alun Price, owner and managing director of Bryn Group, said the company is “frustrated” by councillors decision to “ignore advice of their professional planning officers”.

Mr Price said: “While we appreciate the pressure that councillors are under from protesters, we are nonetheless disappointed at the lack of technical discussions and debate at the planning committee meeting.”

Caerphilly’s Labour Senedd member, Hefin David, said: “It is the wrong application at the wrong time and councillors were right to defer it at this stage.”

Mr David, a former councillor for the St Cattwg ward, described the report presented to the committee as “poor” because it had a lot of unanswered questions.

But Mr Price said: “This comprehensive application addressed all policy and strategic points fully and demonstrated both the strategic importance for Wales and the UK of the sandstone seam at the Bryn, but also the measures being taken to minimise the impact of working the quarry and the plans for its restoration that would lead to a net improvement in biodiversity and the ecology of our land.

“The wide-ranging conditions stipulated in the officer’s report to committee provided strong protections for the community, as well as an opportunity for regulators to influence operating procedures and policies that are developed once planning has been granted.”

Cllr Bezzina has asked the Welsh Government to look at the application.

The application will be brought to the next council planning committee meeting, which is being held on Wednesday, November 10.

If refused, the Bryn Group has said it will appeal at the earliest opportunity.