Sheep Hill in Milton, near the Dumbuck Quarry.
A Dumbarton company’s bid to quarry an ancient hillside between Milton and Bowling on the A82 has been put on the back burner yet again by dithering West Dunbartonshire Council.
In a new twist to the area’s longest-running planning dispute, the company behind the plan will face a further meeting with councillors.
At a meeting of West Dunbartonshire Council’s planning committee, councillors backed a motion to seek further detail from operator William Thompson and Son, a company which has been operating in Dumbarton since the 1950s.
The controversial plan to quarry the Sheephill site has faced determined opposition from some members of the community.
Ancient cup and ring markings were found at Sheep Hill.
At the heart of the debate is concern over the loss of a site of archeological importance – it was once home to an Iron Age fort –with a number of significant markings still present on the land.
Residents also harbour concerns over noise and public access at the site – which features in a 19th century painting by renowned Scottish artist John Knox.
Councillors backed a motion by independent Bailie Dennis Agnew, left, calling for further talks with the operator.
Permission to quarry was approved in 1949 and allows the site to be operated on an unrestricted basis.
However, any new agreement will permit working only between 6am until 10pm, seven days a week.
Rose Harvie, secretary of Silverton and Overtoun community council said: “This is a problem that has being going on for many years.
“The community council has been objecting to this since 2012. The hill is the site of a monument.
“At one point there were stones which were of historical value and removed to a museum some time ago.
