Plans to increase HGV trips to and from Hadleigh Quarry by nearly 16,000 a year have been rejected by Suffolk planers.

Suffolk County Council's development and regulation committee yesterday refused permission for JT Few Plant Hire and Buffalo Crow to increase HGV movements at the site in Aldham Mill Hill from a capacity of 1,000 movements per year, to up to 16,000 a year.

The applicants had hoped to increase the lorry trips from an average of four a day to about 60 a day - 30 trips in and 30 trips out, down from the original proposed increased capacity of up to 20,000 trips per year and 80 a day, which had been cut following a committee meeting in July.

Peter Dawes, representing the applicants, said the plant owners had altered their initial plans and were aiming to increase the number of HGV movements to meet demand for materials.

He told the committee that the limit represents a clear, unambiguous maximum limit for HGVs and gives the applicants the flexibility to respond to changes in market conditions.

The people of Hadleigh had made it clear they're worried about the noise and dust pollution and road safety and were backed by their town council, while Aldham, Whatfield & Chattisham and Hintlesham parish councils all expressed their opposition to the scheme.

Mick Fraser, a district and county councillor for Hadleigh warned the plans could lead to an increase in collisions Aldham Mill Hill and on the A1071 if they were approved and even if the proposed widening of the road and new road markings, the junction would be made "unsafe".

Cllr Fraser added: "The increase in slow moving HGVs is only going to increase that risk. This junction must be improved more."

The committee voted seven to three against the proposals using concerns over access, highway safety and the likely increase in noise disturbance as reasons for refusal.