Longstone Edge 'Saved'

The British Mountaineering Council and the Peak Park Authority have welcomed the decision to halt limestone quarrying at Longstone Edge in the Peak District National Park.

Last Friday a planning inspector ruled in favour of the Peak District National Park Authority (PDNPA)'s enforcement action to halt the removal of huge quantities of limestone by quarry owners and operators at Backdale Quarry on Longstone Edge near Bakewell.

The owners and operators of the quarry now have four weeks to appeal against the decison, but if the appeal fails, extraction of limestone will be halted to the relief both of local people and numerous outdoors-related organisations.

Guy Keating, British Mountaineering Council (BMC) Access and Conservation Officer said: "This is great news and after the uncertainties of the public inquiry it is very heartening to see the 'right' decision has been made. Congratulations must go to the Park authority and the local pressure groups for sticking to their guns and taking the quarry companies on - let's hope this sends out a very strong message that our National Parks really are too precious to be meddled with."

The Park Authority is also pleased with the decision. Authority Chairman Tony Hams describes it as a 'major success' but sounds a note of caution as well:

"Although this is wonderful news I would stress that it is just one more step forward - allbeit a huge one - in our continuing efforts to protect Longstone Edge from unauthorised limestone extraction."

Under the 1952 permission, minerals such as limestone should only be 'won' in the course of working for fluorspar. However, the Authority has always contended that Backdale was being worked for limestone.

"This ruling makes it clear that working for fluorspar cannot be used to remove huge quantities of limestone," said Tony Hams.