Gravel Expansion Nixed

The Central Okanagan Regional District has said no to a gravel pit expansion application.

Operators of the Paradise Sand and Gravel pit along Trepanier Road applied to the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Resources for the expansion.

The application was forwarded to the Regional District.

The board denied the application based on concerns over the negative impact to the area which is already home to a number of current and proposed pits.

The board was also concerned with the proximity of the pits to residents, a fish bearing stream and domestic wells and surface water intakes.

The applicant had applied to double the output of the gravel pit to 200,000 cubic metres a year and extend the operation through 2015.

Although the Regional District has said no to the application, the provincial ministry still has the final say.