FEARS that a new quarry may aggravate breathing problems were among concerns residents raised at Bidford's annual parish meeting.

Warwickshire County Council's development planning manager Jasbir Kaur and planning officer Matthew Williams were available to answer general planning queries and to discuss their roles when reviewing an application.

Mrs Kaur, who will be involved in the final decision, said she could not answer specific questions about the application because she had to remain unbiased.

RMC Materials has submitted a planning application to Stratford District Council for the extraction of sand and gravel from Broom Court in Bidford. The proposal includes a plan to ferry gravel for 400 to 600 metres on an open conveyor across farmland.

The company was invited to send a representative to the meeting but none attended.

Residents asked if their views would be taken into consideration when a decision was made and also questioned the environmental implications. Others expressed concerns over health risks if the application were approved.

Monica Ewins, of Victoria Road, said: "There are many people with respiratory problems in this village. Would the health risks be looked into when making a final decision?"

Mrs Kaur said it was common practice to consult with the local health trust if any health risks were identified in an application.

Other concerns included the impact on house prices and the environmental implications if the proposal was granted.

The application will be decided at a meeting on Wednesday, September 21.