The operator of Lomond Quarry in Fife has refused to back down in a row over its non-attendance at community meetings.
Skene Group was not represented at the last meeting of Lomond Quarry liaison committee and said from now on it would resolve any issues with the community by email.
One of the firm’s objections was with committee member and Leslie resident Peter West, who has been videoing traffic movements to and from the quarry next to the village.
The actions of yoga instructor Mr West were described as “unreasonable” by quarry boss Neil Skene, but the villager defended his actions.
Mr West said: “The people of Leslie still want me to represent them. All I’m doing is collecting information on their behalf.
“I don’t really want to leave the committee. For one thing, I take what I’m doing very seriously. I do feel that Mr Skene is being unreasonable. I was not videoing or taking photographs of drivers, I was videoing and taking photographs of vehicles.
“It really looks like the number of lorries is double, or on some days treble, the amount that is supposed to be there.
“All we’re trying to do is get the council to take measures to limit the number of lorries, to hopefully make it a bit safer for kids in the village, and lessen the environmental impact.
“All we’re trying to do is make the place a nicer place to live.”
Mr Skene, who is managing director of Skene Group, said: “Despite the fact that an independent review said the Skene Group is acting entirely within planning controls, Mr West continues to turn up at the gates of the quarry to take photographs of staff and vehicles.
“This is causing considerable distress and anxiety to people who are going to their place of work. We think this is unreasonable behaviour and we are not prepared to have any further dealings with him on the liaison committee.”
Mr Skene said the company agreed to join the liaison committee with the “best intentions”.
He continued: “It was to be a forum to ensure that the local community have a full understanding of the workings of the quarry and that the company is aware of the concerns of the locals.
“However, campaigners against the quarry, who are also on the committee, made sure this is not what happened.
“Despite the fact that the independent review by Capita Symonds into the operations of the Lomond Quarry concluded that the Skene Group is complying with all the planning regulations on noise and vibrations the campaigners, who want to close the quarry, refused to accept this.
“Unfortunately, they used the liaison committee as a forum to bring forward allegations against the company that were both wrong and outside the committee’s remit.
“This undermined the committee and broke the original agreement for its remit.
“Since the report was published, the company has continued to work closely with officials at Fife Council to deal with issues raised by residents.”