A quarry that will be used to build a controversial wind farm will go before Denbighshire’s planning committee next week.

The plans are for an 11 hectare quarry in the Clocaenog Forest, which will be used to supply aggregate for a wind farm in the forest.

The site of the quarry lies in both Conwy and Denbighshire.

Councillors in Conwy voted to grant conditional planning permission for the part of the site that is in that county.

The proposal seeks full planning permission for the construction and operation of a borrow pit for the extraction of aggregate solely for use in the construction of the Clocaenog Forest Wind Farm.

Gravel from the site  would be used in the construction of access tracks, passing places and new hardstanding areas.

A report before councillors said: “The proposed development would provide aggregate for use in construction of the consented Clocaenog Forest Wind Farm, thereby removing the need to import significant quantities of material from quarries off-site.”

It added: “There are considered to be two distinct benefits from meeting supply from the borrow pit.

“Firstly, it would reduce the number of vehicle movements to the site, which would reduce the impact on the highway and reduce the use of fuel and associated emissions.

“Secondly, it would displace the need to import higher quality material from established quarries which could be used elsewhere.

“There are environmental impacts associated with mineral extraction: these impacts would still occur if consented quarries were relied upon for the source of material.

“The nearest quarries, with the exception of Moel Y Faen, are limestone quarries. Whilst there are extensive limestone reserves permitted within the sub-region, limestone is a finite resource which is limited in distribution across both Wales and the rest of the UK.”

Planning officers have recommended that planning permission be granted.