News Archive
17th September 2007 - Quarrying resumed at Backdale
The Peak District National Park Authority (PDNPA) confirmed that blasting and quarrying had resumed at Backdale today.
The PDNPA said they will pay close attention to the activities to ensure that they are consistent with the working of a Fluorspar vein,
i.e. in accordance with the findings of the Backdale public inquiry.
A legal challenge by the quarry operator against the Backdale public inquiry decision will be heard on 5th November 2007. This could ultimately result in another public inquiry for Backdale, at the risk of a different outcome to the last inquiry.
The operator and landowner are appealing against the enforcement notice at Wagers Flat which could result in full scale quarrying at that site.
The following update was emailed to interested parties by the PDNPA on 17th Sept 2007:The Planning Inspectorate has confirmed that an Inspector will consider the Peak District National Park Authority's enforcement action on Wagers Flat, Longstone Edge, following appeals by the operator and landowner. The Inspectorate will now set a timetable for dealing with the appeals, and there will be a delay of several months before the matter is considered at a public inquiry, likely to last eight days. The case number with the Planning Inspectorate is APP/M9496/C/07/2048699.
As well as considering the appeals the appointed inspector will consider whether the enforcement action is a 'nullity,' in response to a query raised by the appellants. If the action is a nullity the Authority would have to use a revised legal strategy to try to prevent further damage to Longstone Edge.
The National Park Authority will continue to explore all possible avenues in the legal system to try to resolve the long-term problems on Longstone Edge. It will also continue to press its case at Government level at every opportunity.
Earlier this year, at a public inquiry, it successfully defended appeals against its action to prevent limestone removal at nearby Backdale. Bleaklow Industries is seeking leave to appeal against the inquiry decision - that application will be heard at the High Court on November 5.
Planning chair Barbara Wilson said: "The National Park Authority shares the community's frustration over the duration of time in trying to resolve these matters through the planning and legal systems, but its resolve to continue to defend this outstanding landscape is undiminished." "This includes continuing to monitor any activity at the sites. There is a lawful permission for removal of vein minerals and other minerals won in the course of working the veins but we will continue to watch for what we consider to be unlawful activity."
If you would like to express your frustration with the resumption of the quarrying at Backdale then some useful contacts include:
The Minister responsible is Jonathan Shaw MP, official title Under Secretary of State for Biodiversity, Landscapes and Rural Affairs, at Defra (www.defra.gov.uk).
The MP for the Longstone Edge area is the Rt Hon Patrick McLoughlin MP (contact details here: http://www.epolitix.com/EN/MPWebsites/Patrick+McLoughlin/contact.htm ) - or contact your local MP if different.
Contact details for the Save Longstone Edge Group (SLEG) are here: http://www.longstone-edge.org.uk/contact.htm
Jonathan Shaw will be at the Association of National Park Authorities conference in Buxton this week, and representatives from community groups including SLEG will meet him on Thursday (20th) . PDNPA leaders are taking him to see Longstone Edge.