House of Lords refuses to hear an appeal on Backdale quarry
The House of Lords has refused to hear an appeal against the Peak District National Park Authority enforcement action at Backdale quarry. This should bring the legal battles on Longstone Edge to an end.
This turns the spotlight back onto the Peak Park: it is now up to them to ensure that the (presumably) illegal limestone quarrying is brought to an end immediately.
Read more... and see the photographs of the on-going destruction.Longstone Edge is a beautiful three-mile-long ancient limestone ridge in the Peak District National Park, prominently situated within sight of Chatsworth House and Bakewell, which is being destroyed by limestone quarrying.
The photo above, taken on 15 September 2008, shows how destruction is accelerating. Grass and trees have been cleared on either side so the quarry can be expanded. (Click on the photo for a larger image, and here to compare with earlier photos.)
A legal battle has raged for years over the meaning of a 1952 mineral extraction permission. In March 2009 the Court of Appeal decided in favour of the Peak Park and the Government, hopefully opening the way to the long-term protection of Longstone Edge, yet amazingly limestone quarrying is proceeding unabated.
A massive scar has been created in the heart of unspoilt scenery in the second most-visited national park in the world. This must not be allowed to happen.
For a quick introduction to the problem,
click here and view our video ...
The video opens in pop-up window.
Video produced by Active Image Ltd.
How You Can Help
The most important task now is to pressure Secretary of State for the Environment Hilary Benn to provide funds to buy out the owner's mineral rights. Please write to your Member of Parliament to ask the Government to step in. If you can do more, we need help with a wide array of tasks, or you can make a donation towards our campaigning activities. Learn more.
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