LONG-awaited plans for a 25-year restoration of a former Rowley Regis quarry, including the building of almost 300 houses and waste recycling, have been unveiled.

Owners of the Edwin Richards Quarry have submitted three planning applications to Sandwell Council asking for the green light on the infilling the worked-out quarry with about 12 million tonnes of imported non-hazardous soils and excavation materials over the period of the scheme.

Alongside a waste recycling facility, would be a soils treatment centre, repositioned landfill gas utilisation plant, a relocated leachate treatment plant, refuse collection vehicle depot, workshop, offices and welfare facilities.

FFC Environment is also applying for outline permission to build 281 houses on the southern and south-western parts of the site which has not had landfill.

It is envisaged that by the end of year 25 a further 300 houses could be accommodated on the northern part of the site but that proposal will be the subject of a future planning application as the restoration nears completion.

A report by environment and engineering consultants AMEC, states the current restoration scheme is no longer achievable because changing European landfill legislation and national regulations mean the site can no longer accept municipal waste.

The report states: “Through infilling a substantial part of the quarry, the resultant landform will provide greater beneficial after-use for the public and reduce the health and safety management issues associated with the site as it currently stands.

“The revised scheme will provide a usable and long-term leisure facility for the local community, as well as biodiversity and landscape enhancements.”

The final use of the restored open space will be agreed through consultation with Sandwell Council and nearby residents.

The report states that measures to control noise and dust emissions will be implemented at the quarry, which stopped working in 2004, and the risk of pollution incidents will be minimised.

The soils treatment centre and infilling operations will employ up to 11 staff, with 16 people employed at the waste recycling facility.

It is proposed that the site will open to receive waste from 6.30am until 5.30pm Mondays to Saturdays, with indoor recycling processing from 6am until 8pm Mondays to Saturday.

If approved, outdoor soil treatment will be carried out from 7am until 5.30pm Mondays to Fridays and from 7am until 4pm Saturdays.

The operation of the landfill gas compound will be 24 hours a day, seven days a weeks.

It was originally reported that the planning applications would be submitted by December 2013, following a public exhibition in June of that year.

Rowley councillor Susan Eaves said the plans were “long awaited” and having just received the papers this week, added she would be poring over the detail to see if it reflects what local people want.

But she added there may be some opposition, especially to the number of a heavy lorries taking waste materials to the site.