Environmental Justice

Peak District National Park at risk
10 June 2010

A legal victory was won earlier this year to stop quarrying at Peak District National Park.

This was thanks to six years of campaigning by a coalition of organisations including Friends of the Earth.

But there are strong fears that operators will use planning loopholes to continue destroying the Park.

National beauty spot under threat

Longstone Edge Coalition was formed to save this area of the Peak District from being ruined by quarrying.

In March this year the Court of Appeal ordered that excessive quarrying must stop.

But the company continued to remove limestone from the ground.

The operator has since withdrawn from the site. But quarrying could start again at any time as the planning permission is still valid.

A permanent solution

The Coalition is asking Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for Environment Food and Rural Affairs, to bring a permanent solution to the threat of quarrying.

We urge the Government, on behalf of all that care about protecting our national parks, to finish the job. We must win the war as well as the battle by buying Backdale out from the quarry operators.

Andy Tickle, Coalition spokesperson and Head of Planning at Friends of the Peak District

This can be achieved by a 'buy out' package where the Government buys up the land and minerals rights.

Through this the old planning permission will be withdrawn.

Did you know?

This year is the 60th anniversary of the National Parks Act

Act now to save the park

Write to Hilary Benn on behalf of the coalition asking him to bring a permanent solution to the quarrying that is destroying Longstone Edge.

This would be a perfect way to mark the 60th anniversay of the National Parks Act.

Act now to save Peak District National Park from quarry devastation

Dear Hilary Benn,

I am writing to you because I am very concerned about the future of Longstone Edge in the Peak District National Park, as I believe it is still vulnerable to damage from quarrying. I write in support of the Longstone Edge coalition that has been working to save the Park for the last six years, and appreciate all the support that Government has given to the campaign. The recent decision by the Court of Appeal in respect to Backdale Quarry has caused quarrying there to stop - for now. But the old permission is still valid, and due to loop-holes in the planning system, mineral extraction could continue until 2042. I therefore want to make a strong plea to you to fully support a 'buy-out' package for Longstone Edge. This is the only form of permanent solution that can save the Park from future quarrying threat. DEFRA has a key role to play, and I ask you to give the political leadership and resources to make this happen. I look forward to hearing from you.

You can contact me by email (preferably - to save resources) or at the following address:

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Environmental Justice

Peak District National Park at risk10 June 2010

National beauty spot under threat

A permanent solution

Did you know?

Act now to save Peak District National Park from quarry devastation

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Peak District National Park at risk
10 June 2010