A PUBLIC meeting has been held over plans by a quarry company to move its site.

Around 50 residents, parish councillors, representatives of the quarry and Dartford MP Dr Howard Stoate attended the meeting at Jubilee Hall, Main Road, Longfield, on March 29.

Pinden Ltd, which extracts chalk and disposes of hazardous waste, including asbestos, has permission to work on its quarry site in Green Street Green Road, Longfield, and on another unused site to the west on the same road.

The company wants to swap the permission on the western land for an area to the north, adjoining its current quarry.

But residents say this move will affect more people.

At the meeting, Pinden unit manager Gary East said the land swap made commercial sense and it would avoid extra building work.

But concerns were raised about materials dumped at the quarry, including asbestos.

Residents also complained about the speed of lorries driving through the town.

Mr East urged residents to give any complaints about drivers to him.

Phil Memory, 59, a member of Southfleet Residents' Association, said: "There is no mineral extraction plan for the western site.

"What's to stop them asking for another extension in 10 years time?"

The amount of dust already released into the air at the quarry was also a concern.

But Mr East said preventative measures had been taken, including spraying water over the site, and the use of an extractor.

Speaking after the meeting, Mr East said Pinden would still be going ahead with the application.

He said: "I expected there to be some concerns but I hope we have answered some of the questions."

Southfleet Parish Council has already registered its opposition to the plans.

Longfield and New Barn Parish Council will meet today to decide its response.

Dartford Council leader Councillor Jeremy Kite said: "I think we need to pick up on some of the issues people raised, especially about things such as dust and traffic.

"My view is there were sufficient points there for me to object to it of my own account and that's what I'll be doing."

Kent County Council is due to make a decision on the application within the next two months.