Archived press release

Harris Superquarry Saga Finally Ends

2 April 2004

Friends of the Earth Scotland's longest ever campaign comes to an end as company withdraws quarry plans

Friends of the Earth Scotland's longest ever running campaign today (Friday 2 April 2004) came to an end as French aggregate company, Lafarge Aggregates, announced it is to withdraw its plans to establish what would have been Britain's biggest quarry on Harris in the Western Isles.

Commenting Friends of the Earth Scotland Chief Executive, Duncan McLaren, said:

"This is a great decision for the people and environment of Harris. Lafarge's decision is without doubt the only responsible and ethical decision that could have been taken. It's just a shame it has taken so long to reach this day. It has taken tenacity and persistence by the community and Scottish campaigning groups such as ourselves to remove this threat to a sustainable future for Harris. After a decade of waiting, finally environmental justice has been delivered for the people of Harris.

"Friends of the Earth will continue to support communities around Scotland in their struggles for sustainable development, and hope that this decision by Lafarge will be a precedent for all companies to deal with future environmental issues in an equally ethical manner."

Notes

[1] The proposal for quarry on Harris have been ongoing since 1991. If successful the Harris superquarry would have been Britain's biggest ever quarry. Fifty times larger than conventional UK quarries the proposal by one of the world's largest aggregate companies, Lafarge Aggregates, would cover an area 600 hectares in area. A mountain would be reduced to a sea loch leaving a scar six times the height of the White Cliffs of Dover.

For more background visit:
www.foe-scotland.org.uk/nation/superquarry_update.html

For a print quality picture of the proposed quarry see:
www.foe-scotland.org.uk/press/pictures.html

[2] Friends of the Earth was part of a coalition (The Link Quarry Group)opposing the quarry. The other groups included: Ramblers Scotland, RSPB, WWF Scotland, Rural Scotland, Sustrans, NEMT and Scottish Wildlife Trust.

LAFARGE STATEMENT

Lafarge withdraws from Scottish quarry project at Lingerbay and calls for a public debate on long term mineral supply in the UK

Lafarge Aggregates UK has announced today that it is withdrawing from the proposed coastal quarry at Lingerbay on the Isle of Harris, Scotland.

It follows the decision in the Scottish Court of Session (9 January 2004) to reject its appeal over the extent of the existing planning permission granted in 1965.

The company is also withdrawing its outstanding appeal in pursuit of its 1991 planning application.

Lafarge says that the problem of sourcing medium and long term supplies of mineral in the UK remains unresolved and calls for a serious public debate about where the building materials of the future will come from.

Lafarge, the world leader in building materials, holds top-ranking positions in all four of its Divisions|: Cement, Aggregates & Concrete, Roofing and Gypsum. Lafarge employs 75,000 people in 75 countries and posted sales of £13.6 billion in 2003. Additional information is available on the web site at www.lafarge.com

If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

Published by Friends of the Earth Trust