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
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Chesterfield eBusiness successes
Three north Derbyshire companies have won accolades in the eBusinessAwards for 2007 run by the East Midlands Development Agency.
Chesterfield-based Imagesound beat 25 other finalists to the top prize as eBusiness of the Year 2007, after demonstrating how they use technology to increase profits and improve customer fulfilment.
Two other local companies were successful - Cruise Ahead Ltd, a specialist travel agency won the Best eBusiness Start-up award and material development company NetComposites scooped the award for the Best Use of eBusiness.
Over 100 entries from across the East Midlands were received from a host of new companies who have realised the benefits of using ICT to run their business.
As well as their overall victory Imagesound, specialists in media and music, won the category for Increased Exports Through The Use of ICT.
Another Chesterfield company, Hike Bike and Ride Ltd, was highly commended in the same category.
Imagesound graduated from Tapton Park Innovation Centre to their own premises on Dunston Technology Park in 2002 while NetComposites are still based at the Centre.
Eeeee we're reet gud in Chesterfield
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-03-21 01:22:35
Chesterfield-based Imagesound beat 25 other finalists to the top prize as eBusiness of the Year 2007, after demonstrating how they use technology to increase profits and improve customer fulfilment.
Two other local companies were successful - Cruise Ahead Ltd, a specialist travel agency won the Best eBusiness Start-up award and material development company NetComposites scooped the award for the Best Use of eBusiness.
Over 100 entries from across the East Midlands were received from a host of new companies who have realised the benefits of using ICT to run their business.
As well as their overall victory Imagesound, specialists in media and music, won the category for Increased Exports Through The Use of ICT.
Another Chesterfield company, Hike Bike and Ride Ltd, was highly commended in the same category.
Imagesound graduated from Tapton Park Innovation Centre to their own premises on Dunston Technology Park in 2002 while NetComposites are still based at the Centre.
Eeeee we're reet gud in Chesterfield
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-03-21 01:22:35
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Call for two new council tax bands
New council tax bands could be introduced for the most expensive and cheapest homes, it has been reported.
Sir Michael Lyons will call for the introduction of two extra council tax bands at either end of the price spectrum, according to the BBC.
A report into local government funding by Sir Michael, professor of public policy at Birmingham University, which is due to be published on Wednesday, will also say that people entitled to council tax benefit should gain it automatically instead of it being claimed.
But the report will call for council tax revaluation before any changes. In real terms this means that everyone will be worse off some more than others. Time to buy a canal boat, when the going gets tough, up anchor and piss off!
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-03-20 12:23:15
Sir Michael Lyons will call for the introduction of two extra council tax bands at either end of the price spectrum, according to the BBC.
A report into local government funding by Sir Michael, professor of public policy at Birmingham University, which is due to be published on Wednesday, will also say that people entitled to council tax benefit should gain it automatically instead of it being claimed.
But the report will call for council tax revaluation before any changes. In real terms this means that everyone will be worse off some more than others. Time to buy a canal boat, when the going gets tough, up anchor and piss off!
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-03-20 12:23:15
Derbyshire Tourism Officials Meet
Everyone associated with the tourist industry will be looking forward to tomorrow as it is officially the first day of spring. Whilst the weather is inclement Easter is just around the corner and people will start to think about holidays, weekends away and days out.
So it is reassuring to know that groups and officials have met up across Derbyshire to discuss the coming season.
Dozens of people from tourist attacting organisations around the Ashbourne attended a meeting in the Green Man on Wednesday, arranged by the Ashbourne Partnership.
The meeting aimed to ensure businesses achieve the best out of this season's influx, and to explain how Ashbourne fitted in to the strategy deployed by the Peak District and Derbyshire as a whole.
The event was chaired by Sir Richard FitzHerbert (whenever I hear this chap's name I think of Bridgett Jones' rendition "TitsPervert" unfortunate, I know), and David James and Georgina Heathcote from the Peak District and Derbyshire Tourism Team took guests through presentations to point out the key aims of this year's holiday season.
Let's think what the key aims may be. Get the punters in, show them a good time, take their money and send them home.
Meanwhile, a separate group met in Bakewell last week to discuss trends, themes and strategies this summer.
In the run-up to the new season the RATS group (Regional Attractions in Derbyshire) met for its half-yearly meeting in Rowsley.
The meeting was again chaired by Sir Richard and hosted by East Lodge Hotel and the Peak District & Derbyshire DMP (Destination Management Partnership), who organise and are responsible for delivery of tourism in the county and its environs.
Roll on summer. Mind you if we have global warming it would be warm all year round. Wouldn't that improve the Peak District tourism?
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-03-20 02:25:53
So it is reassuring to know that groups and officials have met up across Derbyshire to discuss the coming season.
Dozens of people from tourist attacting organisations around the Ashbourne attended a meeting in the Green Man on Wednesday, arranged by the Ashbourne Partnership.
The meeting aimed to ensure businesses achieve the best out of this season's influx, and to explain how Ashbourne fitted in to the strategy deployed by the Peak District and Derbyshire as a whole.
The event was chaired by Sir Richard FitzHerbert (whenever I hear this chap's name I think of Bridgett Jones' rendition "TitsPervert" unfortunate, I know), and David James and Georgina Heathcote from the Peak District and Derbyshire Tourism Team took guests through presentations to point out the key aims of this year's holiday season.
Let's think what the key aims may be. Get the punters in, show them a good time, take their money and send them home.
Meanwhile, a separate group met in Bakewell last week to discuss trends, themes and strategies this summer.
In the run-up to the new season the RATS group (Regional Attractions in Derbyshire) met for its half-yearly meeting in Rowsley.
The meeting was again chaired by Sir Richard and hosted by East Lodge Hotel and the Peak District & Derbyshire DMP (Destination Management Partnership), who organise and are responsible for delivery of tourism in the county and its environs.
Roll on summer. Mind you if we have global warming it would be warm all year round. Wouldn't that improve the Peak District tourism?
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-03-20 02:25:53
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
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
Derbyshire Schools Funding Increase
Spending on Derbyshire's schools is to rise by almost £18 million over the next year.
Derbyshire County Council currently spends £3,429 per pupil and has an overall schools budget of around £376 million.
Funding for 2007/08 will rise to £3,649 per pupil – an increase of 6.4 per cent.
Total funding is estimated to increase to £394 million, subject to confirmation of pupil numbers.
The Government cash includes funding for a number of specific issues in schools. Derbyshire County Council will get £5.2 million in grants in 2007/08. Theses will be spent on:
* Personalised learning – schools will receive a share of £4.161 million to continue the development of personalised learning plans for pupils. This will allow each student to have the curriculum tailored to help them at their own pace.
* Practical learning options for 14 to 16-year-olds – schools will receive a share of £1.041 million to develop vocational courses for pupils.
Now the financial arguments for closing Stoney Middleton School become that bit weaker.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-03-20 01:51:47
Derbyshire County Council currently spends £3,429 per pupil and has an overall schools budget of around £376 million.
Funding for 2007/08 will rise to £3,649 per pupil – an increase of 6.4 per cent.
Total funding is estimated to increase to £394 million, subject to confirmation of pupil numbers.
The Government cash includes funding for a number of specific issues in schools. Derbyshire County Council will get £5.2 million in grants in 2007/08. Theses will be spent on:
* Personalised learning – schools will receive a share of £4.161 million to continue the development of personalised learning plans for pupils. This will allow each student to have the curriculum tailored to help them at their own pace.
* Practical learning options for 14 to 16-year-olds – schools will receive a share of £1.041 million to develop vocational courses for pupils.
Now the financial arguments for closing Stoney Middleton School become that bit weaker.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-03-20 01:51:47
Toxic Waste in Derbyshire
At least four highly toxic acid tar dumps remain untreated in the Belper area it has been claimed this week.
Sites at Wyver Lane, near the Chevin Golf Course, Firestone Hill in Hazelwood and a spot in Holbrook known locally as 'Oil Woods' have all been named as places where the Silkolene oil company is thought to have disposed of its waste more than 20 years ago.
Calls have now been made by concerned residents for Amber Valley Borough Council to designate them all as 'special sites' and ask the Environment Agency to clean them up.
Development of the controversial Cinderhill site between Belper and Denby has just been put on hold while the same acid tar waste is cleared from the pits on that site.
Peter Carney, Chief Executive of Amber Valley Borough Council, this week refused to say whether or not the authority knew of the sites but said there was a register of potentially contaminated sites.
Mr Carney said: "The council has a register of potentially contaminated sites and we have a strategy to examine them. Legislation sets out a process for determining if they are contaminated.
"If there are sites not on the register that we are made aware of then we will look at them and follow the legislation. The register is available for inspection and can be requested under the Freedom of Information Act."
Sounds like someone has something to hide.
Paul Harrison, who worked as a civil engineer on the sites after the waste was dumped and has lived near the Cinderhill tar pits, for nearly 20 years, said: "These sites have the same stuff in them as Cinderhill which is now a special site, they also need dealing with.
"They tipped the tar at Wyver Lane which is on the Derwent flood plain and has that nature reserve there now. At Firestone it started moving and pushing the fences and there's another dump on the corner of the Chevin Golf Course.
"People who play there say you can smell it on the hot days in the summer. The carcinogens are in the smell, that's the toxic fumes.
"I've got two children and I'm scared. We shouldn't be here but who's going to buy our house with that on the doorstep?"
The landowner who did not wish to be named said: "It was no secret at the time, everybody knew what it was. They offered less than a farthing a gallon to the land owners.
"When we were approached they took us to see it being dumped into the site at Firestone, tankers rolled up and just poured it into the ground. When we found out what it was we told them we didn't want it on our land.
"Silkolene didn't have a problem getting planning permission, they were large employers and jobs were precious. The authorities probably didn't know how dangerous this stuff is but they do now.
"It's nasty stuff – it doesn't come from oil refining, it comes from reclamation of used oil."
It's interesting to see that 20 years on big employers still get their own way where planning permission is concerned.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-03-20 01:37:04
Sites at Wyver Lane, near the Chevin Golf Course, Firestone Hill in Hazelwood and a spot in Holbrook known locally as 'Oil Woods' have all been named as places where the Silkolene oil company is thought to have disposed of its waste more than 20 years ago.
Calls have now been made by concerned residents for Amber Valley Borough Council to designate them all as 'special sites' and ask the Environment Agency to clean them up.
Development of the controversial Cinderhill site between Belper and Denby has just been put on hold while the same acid tar waste is cleared from the pits on that site.
Peter Carney, Chief Executive of Amber Valley Borough Council, this week refused to say whether or not the authority knew of the sites but said there was a register of potentially contaminated sites.
Mr Carney said: "The council has a register of potentially contaminated sites and we have a strategy to examine them. Legislation sets out a process for determining if they are contaminated.
"If there are sites not on the register that we are made aware of then we will look at them and follow the legislation. The register is available for inspection and can be requested under the Freedom of Information Act."
Sounds like someone has something to hide.
Paul Harrison, who worked as a civil engineer on the sites after the waste was dumped and has lived near the Cinderhill tar pits, for nearly 20 years, said: "These sites have the same stuff in them as Cinderhill which is now a special site, they also need dealing with.
"They tipped the tar at Wyver Lane which is on the Derwent flood plain and has that nature reserve there now. At Firestone it started moving and pushing the fences and there's another dump on the corner of the Chevin Golf Course.
"People who play there say you can smell it on the hot days in the summer. The carcinogens are in the smell, that's the toxic fumes.
"I've got two children and I'm scared. We shouldn't be here but who's going to buy our house with that on the doorstep?"
The landowner who did not wish to be named said: "It was no secret at the time, everybody knew what it was. They offered less than a farthing a gallon to the land owners.
"When we were approached they took us to see it being dumped into the site at Firestone, tankers rolled up and just poured it into the ground. When we found out what it was we told them we didn't want it on our land.
"Silkolene didn't have a problem getting planning permission, they were large employers and jobs were precious. The authorities probably didn't know how dangerous this stuff is but they do now.
"It's nasty stuff – it doesn't come from oil refining, it comes from reclamation of used oil."
It's interesting to see that 20 years on big employers still get their own way where planning permission is concerned.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-03-20 01:37:04
Speed Camera Locations
The Derbyshire Mobile Safety Camera Partnership has released the locations of the speed traps they will be using this week:
B6179 Ripley to Marehay
Street Lane, Denby
A6007 Codnor to Heanor
Upper Dunstead Road, Langley Mill
Corporation Road, Ilkeston
A608 Smalley
Ryknield Hill, Denby
A6 Bakewell
A6 Dove Holes
A632 Matlock
Kedleston Road, Derby
A5250 Burton Road, Littleover
Warwick Avenue, Derby
A514 Swadlincote
Hearthcote Road, Swadlincote
A6 Belper
A6 London Road, Derby
London Road, Shardlow
A6005 Draycott to Breaston
A515 Sudbury
A511 Station Road, Hatton
Castle Road, Church Gresley
B5353 Park Road, Newhall
B5353 Union Road, Swadlincote
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-03-20 01:33:05
B6179 Ripley to Marehay
Street Lane, Denby
A6007 Codnor to Heanor
Upper Dunstead Road, Langley Mill
Corporation Road, Ilkeston
A608 Smalley
Ryknield Hill, Denby
A6 Bakewell
A6 Dove Holes
A632 Matlock
Kedleston Road, Derby
A5250 Burton Road, Littleover
Warwick Avenue, Derby
A514 Swadlincote
Hearthcote Road, Swadlincote
A6 Belper
A6 London Road, Derby
London Road, Shardlow
A6005 Draycott to Breaston
A515 Sudbury
A511 Station Road, Hatton
Castle Road, Church Gresley
B5353 Park Road, Newhall
B5353 Union Road, Swadlincote
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-03-20 01:33:05
Wirksworth in lead role
Wirksworth had a starring role in a tense new drama shown on ITV last night.
In ITV's latest drama Premiere, Mobile, the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway in Wirksworth forms part of the programme's dramatic conclusion.
The series involves the global mobile phone business in the context of the Iraq war and tells the stories of several characters in three feature-length episodes.
ITV chose the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway because it could offer an up-to-date InterCity train in an environment that is highly-suited to the requirements of the film and television industry.
Andy Morgan, Granada's production director said: "What surprised us was the sheer professionalism of the setup at Wirksworth.
"WyvernRail were able to provide us with a high-quality train for several days and gave us the freedom to operate to the standards we require to produce a series of this magnitude" he added.
Extensive temporary modifications were made to the railway's former Gatwick Express train which was re-branded for the duration of the filming.
This is the second time that the railway's modern rolling stock has been used for filming.
In 2004, Darlow Smithson productions filmed scenes for the National Geographic documentary series Seconds from Disaster, where a German high speed ICE unit was depicted.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-03-20 01:22:30
In ITV's latest drama Premiere, Mobile, the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway in Wirksworth forms part of the programme's dramatic conclusion.
The series involves the global mobile phone business in the context of the Iraq war and tells the stories of several characters in three feature-length episodes.
ITV chose the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway because it could offer an up-to-date InterCity train in an environment that is highly-suited to the requirements of the film and television industry.
Andy Morgan, Granada's production director said: "What surprised us was the sheer professionalism of the setup at Wirksworth.
"WyvernRail were able to provide us with a high-quality train for several days and gave us the freedom to operate to the standards we require to produce a series of this magnitude" he added.
Extensive temporary modifications were made to the railway's former Gatwick Express train which was re-branded for the duration of the filming.
This is the second time that the railway's modern rolling stock has been used for filming.
In 2004, Darlow Smithson productions filmed scenes for the National Geographic documentary series Seconds from Disaster, where a German high speed ICE unit was depicted.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-03-20 01:22:30
Green Card for Brown Budget
The most obvious way to squeeze through yet more tax hikes in Wednesday's Budget is to play the green card. Mr Brown and David Cameron have recently been trying to gain the moral high ground on this topic. The electorate is almost certainly far more concerned about crime and education and a hundred and one other things, but with global warming the new religion, Brown will feel he can not go wrong.
Not that we need more taxes. The shadow chancellor George Osborne, reckons we've seen 99 tax hikes since 1997, and Mr Brown's on for the century and more on Wednesday.
But which green tax to go for? The latest suggestion is that 4x4s and sports cars will be attacked with higher road tax - having already hiked air passenger duty, which hits less well-off tourists more than the wealthy, he might be tempted to tackle the demon gas-guzzlers to show some semblance of equality. After all, only the well-off drive them and everyone else apparently hates the Chelsea tractor brigade, so it should be an easy grab.
Annual duty on the 225,000 least fuel efficient vehicles purchased brand new since last April, including most 4x4s and sports cars, is set to rise from £210 to more than £400 over the next two years, according to the Times and Sun.
But the move is unlikely to satisfy environmental campaigners, who have called for road tax of up to £2,000 for the worst polluters.
Dave Timms, economics campaigner with Friends of the Earth, said the Chancellor had to put climate change at the "heart" of the Budget, rather than merely "tinker in the margins".
"Mr Brown must come forward with a comprehensive package of measures that tax polluting activities, make it easier and cheaper for people to cut their carbon dioxide emissions and demonstrate that he is prepared to take this issue seriously."
Among other environmentally-friendly proposals believed to be mooted is offering incentives for energy-efficient products, possibly by cutting the rate of Vat on them.
However, those hoping for income tax concessions are likely to be disappointed, and Mr Brown is expected to maintain an iron grip on public spending.
Brown will undoubtedly be crowing about his economic forecasts. He looks on course to meet his public borrowing target of £37billion this year, which he will certainly be pleased about. But in reality, this is nothing to be proud of. Six years ago the Chancellor predicted public borrowing this year would be £12billion. That's a margin of error of more than 200%.
And don't forget about his golden rule which has been yanked and manipulated so much it should really be called the rubber band rule. He claims to have kept government spending to below 40% as a proportion of UK GDP, but if you add in all the off balance sheet items and public sector pension liabilities you could readily reach a figure as high as 80%".
It can only be a matter of time before the economy crashes and like a typical politicion he will escape just in time to leave his successor to deal with the mess.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-03-19 13:28:47
Not that we need more taxes. The shadow chancellor George Osborne, reckons we've seen 99 tax hikes since 1997, and Mr Brown's on for the century and more on Wednesday.
But which green tax to go for? The latest suggestion is that 4x4s and sports cars will be attacked with higher road tax - having already hiked air passenger duty, which hits less well-off tourists more than the wealthy, he might be tempted to tackle the demon gas-guzzlers to show some semblance of equality. After all, only the well-off drive them and everyone else apparently hates the Chelsea tractor brigade, so it should be an easy grab.
Annual duty on the 225,000 least fuel efficient vehicles purchased brand new since last April, including most 4x4s and sports cars, is set to rise from £210 to more than £400 over the next two years, according to the Times and Sun.
But the move is unlikely to satisfy environmental campaigners, who have called for road tax of up to £2,000 for the worst polluters.
Dave Timms, economics campaigner with Friends of the Earth, said the Chancellor had to put climate change at the "heart" of the Budget, rather than merely "tinker in the margins".
"Mr Brown must come forward with a comprehensive package of measures that tax polluting activities, make it easier and cheaper for people to cut their carbon dioxide emissions and demonstrate that he is prepared to take this issue seriously."
Among other environmentally-friendly proposals believed to be mooted is offering incentives for energy-efficient products, possibly by cutting the rate of Vat on them.
However, those hoping for income tax concessions are likely to be disappointed, and Mr Brown is expected to maintain an iron grip on public spending.
Brown will undoubtedly be crowing about his economic forecasts. He looks on course to meet his public borrowing target of £37billion this year, which he will certainly be pleased about. But in reality, this is nothing to be proud of. Six years ago the Chancellor predicted public borrowing this year would be £12billion. That's a margin of error of more than 200%.
And don't forget about his golden rule which has been yanked and manipulated so much it should really be called the rubber band rule. He claims to have kept government spending to below 40% as a proportion of UK GDP, but if you add in all the off balance sheet items and public sector pension liabilities you could readily reach a figure as high as 80%".
It can only be a matter of time before the economy crashes and like a typical politicion he will escape just in time to leave his successor to deal with the mess.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-03-19 13:28:47
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