Friends of the Peak District/Council for National Parks Joint Press Release

Compensation fears for Backdale 'unfounded' say National Park campaigners

7 February 2007

Fears that revoking the quarry permission covering Backdale and Longstone Edge would result in the opening of a ‘Pandora’s Box’ of compensation claims from quarry owners in other National Parks were unfounded, Friends of the Peak District (1) and the Council for National Parks claimed on the eve of the public inquiry into unauthorised limestone quarrying at Backdale (2).

The Friends, working with CNP (3), has produced evidence which showed that in over 50 cases of old mineral permissions in English National Parks, only three posed possible compensation claims – and all were in the Peak District.

Andy Tickle, Head of Planning and Campaigning for FPD, said that the potential environmental threats from most of these sites could usually be alleviated by National Park Authorities using existing legislation.

Backdale quarry, where the public inquiry starts at Calver Village Hall next Tuesday (Feb 13), was an “exceptional” case, said Andy. “The Backdale public inquiry is crucial in determining how much limestone can be quarried. The outcome will be key in deciding how much the permission is worth and the cost of compensation.”

Friends of the Peak met last week with the Minister for Rural Affairs, Barry Gardiner, to urge the Government to help the Peak District National Park Authority with a suitable compensation package which would halt the destruction of the Longstone Edge landscape.

Andy added: “We believe the Government has a clear responsibility to stop National Park landscapes being destroyed by rogue quarrying. We have also suggested to the Minister that sufficient money exists in DEFRA’s Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund to meet the likely costs of compensation.”

Ruth Chambers, Acting Chief Executive at the CNP, said: “Unauthorised quarrying in our finest landscapes is an issue of national importance and it needs addressing once and for all. The Government has solutions within its power and it should act now to avert further damage at Longstone Edge.”

Ends

For further information, contact Roly Smith, FPD Communications Officer on 01629 812034 or Andy Tickle at Friends of the Peak on 0114 266 5822 or Ruth Chambers at CNP on 020 7924 4077 ext.222.

Notes to Editors
1. Friends of the Peak District campaigns for a living, working countryside, and a Peak District which changes with the times but remains beautiful forever. Visit our website at www.friendsofthepeak.org.uk

2. The Local Public Inquiry (dealing with the appeals by Bleaklow Industries and MMC Processing Ltd against a planning enforcement notice served by the Peak District National Park Authority) begins at 10am on Tuesday, February 13 at Calver Village Hall and is scheduled to finish on February 28. The Friends are presenting evidence at the Inquiry as a major (‘Rule 6’) party.

3. The Council for National Parks is the national charity which works to protect and enhance the National Parks of England and Wales and areas that merit National Park status.  CNP promotes understanding and quiet enjoyment of them for the benefit of all.

 

For press queries please contact:
Ruth Chambers, Head of Policy on
020 7924 4077 ext. 222