Shake up for National Park

Members of the public will be able to get involved in key decisions over the future of some of Derbyshire’s best loved landscapes after the Government announced changes to the make-up of Britain’s national park authorities.

Pilot schemes are to be launched in the Peak District and New Forest, where direct elections will be introduced for the first time to select some park authority members. If the elections are deemed successful in improving the way those parks are run, they could be extended to other park authorities at a later date.

Define members of the public.

Moorland blaze hits the Goyt Valley

AROUND 2,000 square metres of moorland in a protected area of the Goyt Valley has been ravaged by fire.

Investigations are continuing into the cause of the blaze at Wild Moor, near Buxton, last week.

Firefighters and Peak District National Park Rangers, working alongside other agencies including United Utilities, tackled the fire using water backpacks and spray guns.

Buxton Red Watch Manager Leigh Mullin said: “Our control centre was inundated with calls from motorists driving up Long Hill on Monday night, saying it looked as though a meteorite had hit.

“It was too hazardous to do anything up there in the dark, because of the location and the conditions, so we returned at around 5.30am the next morning and managed to get it under control.”

At the height of the fire, at least four fire appliances were at the scene, and a specialist all-terrain vehicle was used to transport equipment and personnel up to the remote site.

Chris Taylor, spokesman for the Peak District National Park Authority, said it was as yet unclear what long-term damage had been caused to the affected area, believed to be a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

But he added: “I would urge people to be careful and vigilant because at this time of year vegetation is very dry from the winter and fires can easily start and spread.

“It is also the start of the ground nesting season so fires could be very damaging, not only to the land but also to the wildlife, which can take years to recover.”

Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-04-26 10:29:25

New Signs for Dales Trail

Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA) staff are currently replacing 95 signs and way marker posts in the 51-mile section of the Pennine Way National Trail thanks to a £7,000 grant from Natural England.

The 270-mile National Trail, which runs from the Peak District National Park to the Scottish Borders, is undergoing a revamp to its way marking and the YDNPA is one of the first National Park Authorities to take advantage of the funding to carry out the work.

Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-04-02 16:45:29

Human rights issues on house pull down

Planning councillors will decide today on the future of a home built without planning permission on a green belt site in Sheffield within 160 metres of the Peak District National Park.

Permission was granted last year to put a series of animal shelters on land known as Cold Mountain Stables, off Redmires Road in the city, but a larger wood-clad building was also constructed at the same time.

According to council papers, that building is now occupied as living accommodation and councillors who sit on a planning committee are being recommended to authorise council officials to have it removed.

That could involve legal proceedings against the owners if the action is sanctioned by councillors, with council staff asking that the building, its concrete base, wooden decking and balustrade outside are all removed, along with "any other paraphernalia associated with the building".

A report to councillors states: "The building is occupied as living accommodation in spite of warnings from officers during its construction that this is unacceptable. The erection of the building is an unacceptably intrusive development, which is detrimental to the open character of the green belt, an area of high landscape value and the Peak National Park."

Officials were asked to investigate the impact of potential decisions on the human rights of those living at the property. Well there's a surprise.

Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-03-28 03:52:36

Should the Peak District National Park go 'Green'

While everyone is going green crazy, the Peak District National Park planning service want your thoughts on how 'green' the Peak District should become.

For example, should the Peak District be covered in tall, white wind turbines to help create 'green' energy?

There will be exhibitions across the National Park held on March 29 at Bamford Institute, April 12 at Chapel en le Frith Town Hall, April 16 at Bakewell Medway Centre, April 18 at Dungworth Village Hall, April 24 at Parwich Village Hall, on May 10 at Warslow Village Hall.

Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-03-27 04:18:06

Quarry Decision on hold

Peak District chiefs have put off a decision on plans to extend a quarry – in the hope of reaching an agreement with company bosses.

Stancliffe Stone wants permission to extend Dale View quarry on Stanton Moor, in return for giving up all rights to work the nearby Lees Cross and Endcliffe quarries. But the Peak District National Park Authority's planning committee expressed concerns that the company’s plan to extend Dale View, and increase the amount of gritstone removed over 21 years, would be too much and not a fair exchange.

The committee deferred making a decision and will seek further negotiations with Stancliffe Stone.

But the Authority is still keen to progress with an exchange. Under a planning consent granted by the Government in 1952, Stancliffe Stone has permission to work Lees Cross and Endcliffe quarries until 2042.

Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-03-21 01:31:44

Appointments to the National Park Authorities

A few months ago I reported on my mate's application to join the Peak District National Park Authority.

He would be expected to contribute positively to debate within the National Park Authority and to make decisions on many aspects of Park management including conservation, planning, housing, access, agriculture, forestry and resource issues. He would not be paid but would be eligible for travel and other expenses incurred in the course of their appointments. He would be expected to commit a minimum time input of 2-3 days per month, the majority of which is within normal working hours.

I told him he was wasting his time and that he wouldn't even be shortlisted. I suggested these are roles for the boys and that despite having the right experience etc etc it was a done deal already.

Well he wasn't shortlisted and the appointments have just been announced.

Geoffrey Nickolds ( new member - expiry: 31 March 2011 ), Reappointed members - Anthony Hams OBE ( expiry: 31 March 2008 ), Narendra Bajaria ( expiry: 31 March 2010 ), Pauline Beswick ( expiry: 31 March 2010 ).

Why not Google the new boy and see if I am right. According to one local "celebrity", who regularly gets involved with this sort of thing, the expenses are a "nice little earner". Evidently nice work if you can get it - but that is the problem you can not!

Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-03-20 02:06:42

Eco warriers to stay at Stanton for a bit longer

Stancliffe Stone submitted an application to allow them to extract an extra 1.1 million tonnes of gritstone from Dale View Quarry in exchange for giving up all quarrying rights on Endcliffe and Lees Cross quarries.

Protesters against new quarrying, whilst agreeing with the principle of the landswop, do not feel that it is an equitable exchange and want to see the requested extraction amount reduced from 1.1 million tonnes to 650,000 tonnes.

In a packed Peak District National Park Authority planning meeting on Friday (16) the feeling amongst protesters was that the proposals were "greedy" and "obscene".

Alan Martin, chair of Stanton Peak Parish Council said: "The application put forward is good in principle but it is greedy.

"I am in favour of the application provided the right tonnage can be decided.

"Stancliffe have a number of advantages in quarrying at Dale View instead of Lees Cross and Endcliffe.

"The infrastructure required is already in place at Dale View and the cost of moving the protestors on from the other site would mean serious money, the estimated cost of moving on the Newbury Bypass protesters was around £50 million."

Keith Garton, a concerned resident, called for the curbing of extreme mineral and rock exploitation, calling it an "obscene destruction of the countryside."

He said :"I am concerned for the wellbeing of the community and the irreparable damage to local countryside and tourism.

"It is in your power to make sure that Stanton Moor remains a very special place in the National Park."

The committee voted to defer the application decision for further negotiation on lowering the extraction amounts.

Chair of the planning committee, Narendra Bajaria, said: "We sincerely hope that by working together we can reach an acceptable agreement on the area and amount of stone to be extracted from Dale View.

"The community representatives who attended the committee were not against the principle of an exchange and a consensus is starting to emerge."

Speaking after the meeting Councillor Anne Zoyroydi from Stanton In Peak Parish Council said: "We are absolutely thrilled to bits, we all thought this was a rubber stamped decision but it seems that the views of the community have been listened to.

"We want Stancliffe Stone to come back to the table with a lower extraction figure.

"The consolidated views of the community won the day, we all spoke with one voice. It is a great result and we are so pleased."

Geoff Henson from the Stanton Lees Action Group said: "We are surprised by the result but very pleased, we are delighted that sense prevailed.

"Now we want Stancliffe to come back with a more equitable exchange that will better benefit the community and the special landscape of the area."

So it's back to the trees for the eco warriers on Stanton Moor - for the time being anyway. Just watch out for the high winds and snow tomorrow!

Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-03-17 02:02:58

End of the eco camp

In the light of the Peak District National Park Authority's get tough policy on quarry operators, Stancliffe Stone have put an application in to extend works at Dale View Quarry in exchange for giving up quarrying rights at Endcliffe and Lees Cross Quarries on Stanton Moor.

If successful an additional 1.1 million tonnes would be extracted from Dale View which according to most authorative viewpoints is not a fair trade and would be highly damaging to the unique character of the moor.

The proposed development is for a 3.18 hectare extension to the existing Dale View Quarry. The application area is a total of 12.3 hectares, including the existing quarry and 1.1 million tonnes of gritstone would be extracted over 21 years.

The recommendation is for approval of the application subject to conditions.

This would bring to an end the seven and a half year demonstration by the Nine Ladies Anti-Quarrying Campaign Group.

So what would be next for the self styled eco warriers? They say Dale View Quarry is nice this time of year.

Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-03-15 08:28:10

Peak District National Park has grit between its teeth

Peak National Park chiefs have instructed planning officers to halt work at a second quarry on Longstone Edge, near Bakewell, after further allegations over unauthorised limestone removal.

The Peak District National Park Authority has agreed to allow its officers to serve stop notices on the operator of a quarry at Wager's Flat following a meeting on Friday.

The authority's move follows a public inquiry into activities at neighbouring Backdale quarry after a stop notice was served on landowner Bleaklow Industries and operator MMC Mineral Processing.

Those companies, which also operate the quarry at Wager's Flat, appealed to the planning inspectorate after the notice had been served and rejected community concerns that too much limestone was being taken out, creating irreparable scars on the landscape.

Results from the Backdale public inquiry, held at Calver village hall last month, are expected by mid-May. But National Park Authority chairman Tony Hams said that until they were known a tough line would be taken on other operations.

He said: "This is a crucial period in terms of the activities on Longstone Edge. We fully understand and share the community's concern and we believe that enforcement action is warranted."

Mr Hams said the authority was seeking urgent talks with the two companies but immediate enforcement action would be taken by officers if a negotiated solution proved impossible.

"Negotiations with the companies are a necessary stage in the process," Mr Hams said. "There is a known mineral vein at Wager's Flat that can be lawfully worked and we and the companies have differing views on what that means. We also want the talks to include Beacon Rod, another part of Longstone Edge which is covered by the same permission."

Well done to the Peak District National Park Authority. After being accused of doing very little or perhaps not enough the 'get tough pills' seem to be working.

Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-03-13 03:02:07

Quarry decision update

Damage to the picturesque Peak landscape will not be taken into account by the decison-maker heading a fiercely-contested public inquiry into a controversial quarry.

The ten-day inquiry into quarrying at Backdale, near Great Longstone, has closed with Government planning inspector David Baldock expected to announce his ruling by May 18.

A PDNPA spokesman said: “Although they and the National Park Authority are deeply concerned about the irreversible impact on the National Park landscape, this could not be taken into consideration by the planning inspector who visited the site.

“He said at the outset that the interpretation of the planning permission would be the decisive issue, as well as the nature of the quarrying operations between 2002 and May 2006, when the authority served a stop notice.”

John Lomas, the PDNPA’s director of conservation and development, said: ‘‘We have tried to present the strongest possible case to the inspector within the terms that he required, and now we must await his decision.’’

The issue will not necessarily be resolved even after that – either side may appeal to the High Court.

Bleaklow Industries Ltd applied for a partial award of their costs to be paid by the authority, but MMC Mineral Processing did not.

Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-03-08 12:47:11