A CONSULTATION into an appeal to quarry stone from a beauty spot took place yesterday.

Tirpentwys Cut, a former open-cast mine near Hafodyrynys, is a popular scenic escape for people across Gwent.

Plans for a quarry and access road were submitted in 2003, and were later rejected by Torfaen County Borough Council's planning committee last year over fears of "irreplaceable loss" of ancient woodland.

But the landowner, Peakman Limited, is now appealing the decision.

And yesterday, dozens of people packed a committee room in the Civic Centre, Pontypool, for the consultation.

Inspector Clive Nield, who was appointed by Welsh ministers, thanked people for attending and chaired the meeting.

Philip Williams, who will be representing the anti-quarry coalition, said to the panel: "I am approaching this issue through various points. The first point that I will later be raising is the loss of leisure, followed by rights of way, ecology and economy, traffic and air pollution, and the final point is highways and landscapes."

After the consultation, a member of the anti-quarry coalition, Howell Clatworthy, said: "I am against the application because it will ruin the beauty spot.

"It is a lovely spot to be in."

The public inquiry will now be taking place in January 2019.