The quarry used to send out regular trainloads of sinter dust to the steelworks on Teesside until 1992, when the railway loading point closed.

[7] The quarry is at an altitude of 300 metres (980 ft) above sea level and works a carboniferous limestone of the Alston Formation, producing rock for aggregate, industrial carbonate, and agricultural lime.

[8][9] Whilst many limestone workings have historically been active in the area, Wensley Quarry was not developed until the 20th century, with planning permission granted in 1947.

The permission covers an area of 322 hectares (800 acres) and had no time limit, something which prompted the residents of nearby Preston-under-Scar to clarify through an appeals process.

[13] English Nature and the local parish councils have raised concerns about the quarry as it borders the Lovely Seat SSSI to the north.