AROUND 120 people walked a landscape that would be 'changed forever' if plans for an extension to a Forest quarry are approved.
The walk on footpaths in the area around Stowe Quarry near Clearwell was intended to show how much land could be affected.
Breedon Aggregates want to expand and deepen the quarry and a planning application covering an area of 125.24 hectares (309 acres) has been submitted to Gloucestershire County Council.
Mr Brian Jones, who led the walk, said: "There is a lot of anger and resentment locally about the extension but a lot of people do not realise how big it is.
"It is a step too far.
"The proposal is in the wrong place and will be a blot on the landscape.
"It will affect the tourism industry which is so important to the Forest.
"More than 50 per cent of stone quarried in Gloucestershire is exported out of the county.
"There are other quarries with much better links to the transport network."
Mr Jones said some 300 objections had been submitted to the county council and there were around 1,300 signatures on a petition.
He has also produced a video showing the extent of the land that would be affected by the plan.
The video, which was shot using a drone flying over the area, is available to view on YouTube by searching for "Stop Stowe Quarry".
Breedon say there are limited reserves of stone remaining to be worked and the extension into an area which has proven commercially workable limestone deposits will enable it to sustain operations.
It says information from the county council has shown a need for further reserves of crushed rock from the Forest of Dean.
The expansion would also be phased to limit the visual impact of rock extraction.
The application has been submitted during the period in which the policy which will govern quarrying in Gloucestershire is being developed.
An expansion of Stowe, as well as extensions to others at Staunton and Drybrook, are seen as potential developments in the emerging Minerals Local Plan being developed by the county council.
The Forest has historically produced 70 per cent of the county's crushed limestone with the rest coming from the Cotswolds.
Limestone from the Forest is of such a quality that it can be used in high-specification concrete and products such as asphalt which is used on roads.
Richard Crighton, the clerk of Newland Parish Council – which has submitted a 24-page document lisintg objections to the proposal – said Sunday morning's walk had been a great success.
He said: "Most had read about the plans and seen maps of the proposed enlarged quarry but when they saw it 'on the ground' many were horrified, dumbfounded and shocked at what would happen to the countryside and the farm if permission was granted."