WALES' environment minister has pledged there are no plans to promote sand or gravel quarrying in the Usk Valley.

Sue Essex, responding to a question on the issue from Monmouth AM David Davies, said the Assembly was not pressing for the area - or any other part of Wales - to be quarried.

She said: "I appreciate there is widespread concern in the Usk Valley that the Assembly is promoting quarrying, but I can reassure residents that we are not encouraging any sand or gravel extraction in the area.

"What we are doing is merely identifying areas rich in sand and aggregate resources and have told local authorities not to sterilise those sites through development."

The minister said all applications to begin quarrying would be determined by local councils acting as the mineral authorities - and the Assembly administration did not know of any such applications at the moment.

In response to the identification of the 28 potential sites within the Usk Valley, a protest group has been set up by local residents.

One of the members, Professor Ron Bridle, of Kemeys Commander, has called for scientific proof that dredging has damaged Swansea beaches before any quarrying begins.

Publication of an Assembly-funded research study comparing the impact of dredging in the Bristol Channel with other options for the supply of sand and gravel - including quarrying - had sparked fears among residents of the Usk Valley and other areas highlighted as rich in those resources.

The minister said: "Consistent with our Mineral Planning Policy Wales document, the Assembly Government has merely instructed local authorities to safeguard areas identified as land-based sources of sand and gravel by not allowing development at those sites. We are not ordering any extraction."

Mr Davies asked Ms Essex if she would meet protesters who want to save the Usk Valley from quarrying when they come to the Assembly in December.

Ms Essex said Kay Powell, head of planning at the Assembly, would meet residents either next week or the week after.

She added that an interim policy statement on dredging in the Bristol Channel would be published shortly.