House of Lords refuses to hear an appeal on Backdale quarry
26 June 2009
The House of Lords has refused to hear an appeal against the Peak District National Park Authority enforcement action at Backdale quarry. Thus the landowner, Bleaklow Industries, and quarry operator, MMC Midlands, have exhausted the legal avenues that they have exploited for so many years, enabling them to quarry limestone rather than fluorspar.
In March this year the Court of Appeal restored the decision of a Planning Inspector to uphold the Authority’s enforcement action, but the landowner, Bleaklow Industries Ltd, then requested permission to appeal to the House of Lords.
Now (June 24 2009) three law lords have turned down the request, stating: “Permission is refused because the petition does not raise an arguable point of law of general public importance which ought to be considered by the House at this time, bearing in mind that the cause has already been the subject of judicial decision and reviewed on appeal.”
However, this is far from the end of the matter. Quarrying is continuing, and the Peak Park have yet to take steps to stop it.
They seem to be in no hurry - in a press release Chair of the Authority Narendra Bajaria said "We now want to talk directly to the companies involved to find out their intentions. Our expectation is that any future working will be in line with the interpretation of the planning permission given by the Court of Appeal."
These hardly sound like the words of a man in a hurry. The legal situation is now crystal clear, and the Peak Park has no excuse if they continue to allow MMC Midlands to export limestone illegally.
Supporters of Longstone Edge should write or email Peak Park Chairman Narendra Bajaria demanding that they take immediate action to halt the ongoing destruction. Contact him at Narendra.Bajaria@peakdistrict.gov.uk or at Aldern House Baslow Road, Bakewell, DE45 1AE