AN asphalt plant near Shap can remain in operation until February 2042 following the submission of a successful planning application.

It was submitted by Breedon Trading to Westmorland & Furness Council for the site at the Shap Blue Quarry and works and planning permission is subject to conditions.

According to a planning statement Breedon currently operates 320 sites and has a team of 3,700 staff. It adds: "Breedon has established itself as a trusted supplier of aggregates, cement, ready-mixed concrete, asphalt and specialist construction products."

The report states that Shap Blue Quarry is located 20km south of Penrith, on the western edge of the Lake District National Park and it adds: "Access to the quarry is primarily provided via an established junction on the A6.

"The A6 is a classified A road running in a general north to south direction dividing the quarry and linking the site to the village of Shap approximately two miles north of the quarry.

"Access to the wider highway network is gained via the M6 approximately 1.2 miles to the east of the site, providing adequate access to wider markets.

"Access onto the M6, that all quarry traffic except local deliveries, is gained at Junction 39 some 1.553 miles to the northeast of the quarry.

"The quarry is situated in a remote location and does not lie within the immediate proximity of any significant groups of dwellings."

According to the report the nearest properties to the quarry are Shap Lodge (400m to the south), Railway cottages (400m to the east) and two semi-detached bungalows (1000m to the north).