Residents in Belstead are being asked their views on proposals which could see a new quarry opened up to provide much-needed material for the construction industry.

Suffolk County Council has launched a six-week consultation on the idea, along with plans to extend the life of nine other quarries.

The council has also decided to allocate Sizewell A as a possible site for the treatment and temporary storage of radioactive material.

The new minerals and waste local plan should be sufficient to supply enough sand and gravel until the end of 2036 based largely on the average of sales over the previous 10 years of 1.12 million tonnes per year.

Extensions of quarries with planning permission would take place at Barham, Barnham, Cavenham, Layham, Tattingstone, Wangford, Wetherden, Wherstead and Worlington. Belstead is the only new quarry site proposed.

Officials said once the plan has been adopted by the county council as policy quarrying companies will still need to submit a planning application to the county council to extract materials. Companies will also pay landowners to dig up the materials on their fields – before selling it to construction companies. This work is likely to create additional employment in the area.

Matthew Hicks, cabinet member for environment and public protection, said: “All sites, other than Belstead, are extensions to existing sites with planning permission. Belstead has been proposed as it meets site selection criteria.

“I invite people to take part in the consultation and have their say online via the county council website or by email, over the phone or by letter. Drop-in sessions are also taking place and further details can be found on the website.”

Sizewell A currently sends waste to Bradwell Nuclear Power Station in Essex for treatment and temporary storage. However, it could in future be used for material removed as part of decommissioning from Sizewell and other decommissioning stations. The county council said while there are no current proposals to share the facilities in Sizewell, it is considered sensible to have policies in place if such a proposal is put forward in future.

To comment visit www.suffolk.gov.uk/mineralsandwaste