MILLIONS of pounds in settlement money could be on its way to quarrying firms after councillors agreed to modify an old planning law to save Portland's coastline.

Dorset County Council's planning committee decided to start the initial steps to enforce a modification order to stop existing permissions that were granted in 1951 to quarry the southern tip of Portland.

This comes after the legality of mining there was called into question by European Union legislation.

The new legislation means that the council can intervene to stop the extraction of 22,000 cubic metres of stone that would directly affect the integrity of Portland's Special Areas of Conservation.

It gives local authorities the power to safeguard any Site of Special Scientific Interest that could be affected by mining or quarrying works.

Councillors were told by planning officer Jerry Smith the council was pleased that certain companies and landowners have voluntarily accepted a new agreement and that only Stone Firms Ltd disputed the need for a law change.

Stone Firms Ltd were planning to quarry the Coastal Strip near Portland Bill, from the Portland Bird Observatory to Church Ope Cove.

Before the council intervened it was planning to use the original planning permission awarded 57 years ago.

The modification order will apply to the Broadcroft and Coastal Strip area of Portland.

Voluntary agreements are currently being drawn up with Albion Stone, the Crown Estate and Stone Firms Ltd in respect of Inmosthay, Waycroft and Tout Quarries.

Councillor Anne Kenwood said that if the council chose not to protect the island it would be 'something close to sacrilege'.

She said: "I can see this from both sides because my family owned quarries but Portland is an area very close to my heart and I have interest in its future.

"We must be careful to make sure we don't ruin something that is priceless."

Coun Kenwood said she was in favour of the enforcing the modification order to protect the archaeological sites, wildlife and scenery of the island for both residents and tourists.

Coun Ron Nash said that if firms need to be compensated the Government should pay it directly. Councillors heard the settlement money could run into millions.

Weymouth and Portland borough councillor Margaret Leicester asked the committee to acknowledge that times had changed on Portland and the island should be protected.

The county council has received letters of support from Natural England, Weymouth and Portland Borough Council and Defra.

Councillors agreed the recommendations that there were alternative solutions to the quarrying of Portland stone and that the director for environment can be given delegated powers to modify existing planning permissions.

Councillors were warned that Stone Firms Ltd have sought legal advice.