Councillors approved the plan despite protests

Protesters had urged councillors to reject plans to dump industrial waste on the area.

The site in question, Trearne quarry near Beith, is a site of special scientific interest (SSSI).

But government agency Scottish Natural Heritage did not oppose the plan, saying the quarry was there before the area was designated an SSSI.

SNH also said it believes fossils would be better protected if quarrying is stopped and landfill is allowed.

The company behind the plan said the facility is badly needed as there is currently nowhere for commercial and industrial waste in Ayrshire.

'International importance'

The council's planning committee attached 18 conditions to the approval and said it will refer the plan to the Scottish Executive because of a change in some figures in the application

Campaigners, who had been trying to block the proposals, said they were devastated.

About 100 protesters attended the meeting in the hope that the proposal would be rejected.

The people, mainly from Gateside near Beith, claimed the fossils were of international importance.