Authority will closely monitor any new
quarrying at Wager's Flat on
Longstone Edge, near Bakewell, after
a company began preliminary works
at the site.
Processing Ltd have commenced
operations at Wager's Flat, close to
Backdale Quarry. The company is
entitled to work the site under the
terms of a 1952 planning consent.
going enforcement action that has put
a halt to works at Backdale Quarry.
of the 1952 planning permission
including the possibility of revoking the
1952 planning consent for the area, as
a permanent solution to end all quarrying
at the eastern side of Longstone Edge,
which includes Backdale, Wager's Flat
and Beacon Rod.
best long-term solution to the quarrying
problems on Longstone Edge. Peak
District National Park Authority
Planning Committee Chair, Narendra
Bajaria, said: "We are concerned that
works have started at Wager's Flat but
it might be entirely lawful for MMC
Mineral Processing Ltd to work the site
provided they comply with the terms of
the 1952 planning consent.
"In our view the site should be worked
predominantly for vein mineral -
fluorspar, barytes and lead. This
means that any limestone extraction
must be secondary to vein mineral
extraction, and we will closely monitor
any works to ensure that the terms of
the permission are complied with.
"We feel that we have reached a stage
where revocation of all rights to quarry
at the eastern end of Longstone Edge
must be seriously considered.
"Over the coming weeks, whilst we will
be exploring all of the options, we
would ask the community to bear with
us - as soon as we know more we will
make a public announcement."
commented:
"New working at Wager's Flat has
been a threat for some time, but we
are nevertheless horrified that this
threat has now become a reality. The
permission there is the same as for
Backdale quarry. At the moment, the
operator is working strictly in
accordance with the permission, so
there is nothing that we or the Peak
Park Authority can do. We cannot
believe that any responsible operator
would start large-scale limestone
removal while the meaning of the
similar permission at Backdale is
under legal dispute. We are, however,
monitoring the situation, and will be on
the case if the operator does start
to work outside of the permission."