UP to three million tonnes of gypsum could be mined from land between East Leake and Costock.

British Gypsum has prepared a planning application to use 35 hectares in the plaster and plaster board industry.

The land would be an extension to the existing workings at East Leake, lying south of Costock.

It is agricultural land with some agricultural buildings.

A report has been prepared to highlight and assess any potential environmental impact from the proposed extension and is due to be submitted to Rushcliffe Borough Council in the coming weeks.

British Gypsum is the UK's leading supplier of internal wall and ceiling systems.

The mineral mined from the site would be used to supply the East Leake Works for the manufacture of either bagged plaster or plasterboard.

A small amount is exported from the site to supply the cement industry.

The report states: "The site at East Leake is being worked currently at a rate of approximately 150,000 tonnes per annum.

"These output levels are depressed as a result of economic recession affecting the construction sector.

"However, the mine has a capacity of 400,000 tonnes per annum and with remaining reserves of around four million tonnes this provides a land bank in this area of 10 years.

"In the medium term demand for gypsum to supply East Leake Works is expected to rise to 500,000 tonnes per annum that will further add to the pressure on resources."

The area which would be used in the extension is believed to contain around two to three million tonnes, which would provide a supply of gypsum for a further seven years.

A small quantity of gypsum is already exported by road to supply the cement industry and the report states that the proposed development will have no impact upon existing levels of traffic generated by this activity.

The company currently has five major manufacturing plants in the UK.

British Gypsum is a subsidiary company of BPB United Kingdom Ltd, which is part of the global building material company Saint-Gobain SA.