Restoration work at a quarry is set to continue for a further two years after a planning application was approved.

Brett Lafarge was given permission for the extension of its activities at Aldborough Hall Farm, in Aldborough Hatch, at a Redbridge Council regulatory committee meeting last week.

However, the decision is subject to a detailed phasing plan being submitted to the chief planning and regeneration officer.

Ron Jeffries, 81, chairman of the Aldborough Hatch Defence Association, said: “While we are disappointed, we are pleased councillors insisted that there should be a phasing plan submitted, as this should ensure the work won’t drag on further.

“We have already had 12 years of this [gravel extraction] when we were promised it would take six.”

Mr Jeffries said he was “encouraged” by Aldborough ward councillors Cllr Wes Streeting, Cllr Debbie Kaur-Thiara and Cllr John Howard, who spoke against the application at the meeting.

A spokesman for Brett Lafarge said: “Brett Lafarge is pleased with this decision, which will allow us to complete the high quality restoration of Phase D for nature conservation and amenity use, in line with the approved planning consent for that area.”