MMC Moving Limestone from Wager's Flat to Backdale Quarry
2 June 2009
MMC Midlands, the operator of the quarries on Longstone Edge which are being operated in violation of the terms set by the Court of Appeal, has begun moving limestone stockpiles from Wager's Flat to Backdale Quarry. The Limestone is then being sold from Backdale.
This is presumably illegal, since the Court of Appeal is quite explicit that no more than two tons of limestone can be moved for every one ton of fluorspar, and fluorspar does not appear to be being moved.
MMC appeared to be doing this behind the back of the planning authority, the Peak District National park Authority. Peak Park officer expressed surprise when told of this by Save Longstone Edge Group members. SLEG have provided the Peak Park with photographic evidence and more evidence, yet the Peak Park appears to be doing nothing about it.
Meanwhile, limestone is being quarried and sold from Backdale itself, again presumably illegally.
Under the terms of the March Court of Appeal ruling, all limestone in excess of the 2:1 limestone must be treated as waste and disposed of in hollows in the ground. MMC are disregarding this, and the Peak Park is acquiescing. Why?