Concerned residents protesting against the expansion of Dean Quarry met with their MP on Sunday at the site near St Keverne.

Andrew George promised to protest against any attempt to “steam roller” the local community, while meeting with members of the Campaign Against Dean Super Quarry and other residents of Rosenithon.

Shire Oak Quarries Ltd has applied for planning permission to build a reception, fuel storage area, processing plant, explosive store and put up fencing, with a parking area, office and amenity area. This is with a view to reopening the quarry.

However, the company has also revealed larger plans, to develop new jetties, a 535m long breakwater and moorings for barges in order to transport rock from the quarry to Swansea Bay, where it is building the world's first purpose built tidal lagoon in order to use the tide to generate renewable electricity.

Although yet to be submitted as a formal planning application, it is these proposals – set out at a number of public meetings – that are causing particular concern in the community.

Mr George has already written to Mark Shorrock, CEO of Shire Oak Energy, asking that the proposed 535m breakwater be removed from plans and the marine developments be scaled down.

This is part of five “concessions” he hopes the company will make before any applications are determined, which also include the completion of an independent socio-economic impact study, the establishment of a bond to cover liabilities and reparation work, the surrendering of mineral rights outside the ‘red line’ of the immediate quarry itself to a local community trust, and conclusions to negotiations on the creation of a community fund where the community share in the turnover at the quarry.

Mr George has also spoken to bodies responsible for regulating the plans of Shire Oak, including Cornwall Council, the Marine Management Organisation, the Environment Agency, Natural England and the Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority.

In addition, Mr George said he had written to Cornwall Council to challenge their recent decisions to extend the mineral licence for the quarry, since the designation of the Manacles area as a Marine Conservation Zone.

Mr George said: “I know that some local residents have expressed concern that negotiating ‘concessions’ with the company before the planning proposals have been determined, might imply a weakening of resolve to stop these plans.

“However, I have emphasised that there is no knowing whether the campaign to oppose the proposals will succeed or not.

“It would be far better to negotiate and secure concessions from the company before determination rather than to seek to do so afterwards.

“In addition, it is not clear whether Cornwall Council had properly taken into account the recent designation of the Manacles as a Marine Conservation Zone when it rolled forward the mineral extraction permission for Dean Quarry recently.

“I will continue to monitor the situation closely and report back to the parish council and concerned local residents.”