Government gives its backing for quarry fight

The government has agreed to support moves by the Peak District National Park Authority to protect Longstone Edge, a noted Derbyshire beauty spot, from further quarrying.

The planning authority is embroiled in a complex battle with quarry companies MMC Mineral Processing and Bleaklow Industries, which have a 1950s planning permission to extract vein minerals at Backdale, near Bakewell, plus any limestone taken out in the course of working those minerals.

The planners have claimed that present proposals for the mass extraction of limestone go beyond the scope of the planning permission.

An enforcement public inquiry involving the quarrying operations is due to reopen later this year.

Longstone Edge is recognised as a prominent landscape feature in the National Park. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has agreed to support the authority’s case against quarry operations.

Rural affairs minister Jim Knight said: "The Peak District is a highly-valued and important part of England’s natural heritage and it is because of the significant pressure on the landscape at Backdale that we have taken the decision to intervene in support of the National Park authority."

The minister added: "I should emphasise that it is an exceptional set of circumstances which has led to our involvement. I hope that this case will send out a clear message that landscape conservation issues are of great importance to government".

Authority chair Tony Hams said: "We are pleased that Defra has recognised the importance of this issue and is providing financial support to enable the authority to take further action."

Roger Milne

20 January 2006