BELOW Corsham lie a complex network of mines, used to quarry Bath stone from the area since the 18th century.

Now people living nearby a new entrance planned for the workings say the scheme is dangerous and would increase traffic onto the A4.

A proposal has been submitted to build a new entrance into the miles of underground tunnels, which would cut through woodland next to the A4 near the newly built Bellway Homes development in Pickwick

As well as the entrance into the labyrinth of underground tunnels, a home for industrial stone cutters and a storage unit has been proposed on fields that are currently farmland.

Nicholas Johnston on behalf of The Bath Stone Company Ltd submitted plans for the”Construction of a new inclined mine entrance from the surface into the existing permitted mine workings, and the construction of new cutting shed, storage area, alterations to existing vehicular access and landscaping at land rear of Rudloe Firs, Bath Road.”

Plans stated: "By allowing a larger and shallower sloping mine portal to allow drive in access for

vehicles, there will be improvements in energy efficiency, particularly in gaining access

to and removing stone from the mine."

Cllr Brian Mathew said: “We need to balance the heritage of Bath Stone being mined in this area as part of its history and the concerns of residents.”

Sue Maidment of Folly Farm has been part of the farming community in the area for 30 years. She said: “People driving from Corsham could turn a sharp corner and be confronted by a lorry waiting to turn into the entrance.”

Neighbour David Lynn added: “There has been no vibration testing, but there are 14 Grade II listed buildings within a kilometre and new housing just metres away.”

Jo Spry lives in one of those homes in the new Bellway development and said: “I got a letter through my door about the application.That was never in any of the paperwork when we bought our house.They allowed houses to be built here and that’s changed the dynamics of the area. The mines are there already, this is a new site entrance where they chose to build..