News Archive
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9 December 2005
Meeting of National Park Authority Members. The following day members assembled at Aldern House, intending to decide what action to take at Backdale. Since the main decision has been postponed to the 13th January meeting, nothing substantive was decided. However, much was done by SLEG with the aim of influencing PDNPA members about the importance of Backdale.
Before the meeting SLEG had written a detailed letter to each member, and included a copy of our DVD. At the meeting itself, in the public presentations slot, the DVD was shown plus clips from the Calendar piece. Three-minute presentations were made by SLEG members and the BMC. PDNPA Members were also told about the SLEG meeting on the 28th November. Extensive informal feedback from PDNPA people at the meeting testified to the influence all this had. Much of the meeting was held in confidential session, but we believe that the PDNPA is committed in principle to firm action.
SLEG will now be increasing the pressure it can put directly on the operators MMC Mineral Processing, and their parent company Merriman of Leicester.
8 December 2005
Meeting between PDNPA and Jim Knight, Minister in DEFRA for national parks. The purpose of this meeting was for the PDNPA to seek underwriting for a decision for a stop notice or equivalent. Such backing would become necessary if the inquiry found against the PDNPA and compensation for loss of profit would be payable to the operator (MMC Mineral Processing Ltd). Jim Knight was unable to give such backing immediately, but undertook to seek it before the PDNPA's next meeting (13th January). We regard this outcome as encouraging.
Jim Knight was much influenced by accounts of the public meeting, seeing the video, the letters he had received and some high-level lobbying we managed to set up.
28 November 2005
The annual contributors’ meeting was held at Calver Village Hall and attended by over 200 people. Three representatives of the PDNPA attended and it was made clear top them that those present expected firm action to be taken. The PDNPA representatives told the meeting that they would be seeing the relevant Minister Jim Knight on 8 December and on 9 December would meet to discuss what to do. They could not reveal their thinking since they wished to keep the landowner and operator from knowing their intentions.
14 October 2005
PDNPA discussed the issues again. Three of the SLEG committee attended and George Wolfe spoke to the meeting. Most of the meeting was in private session and the only outcome has been a press release.
See PDNPA report
SLEG are seeking urgent advice on how to make progress.
23 September 2005
PDNPA considered interim report indicating that they would consider what action to take about delay at their meeting on 14 October
12 September 2005
Appeal hearing opened on 12 September but later that day adjourned to full hearing starting on 4th April.
August 2005
Appeal arrangements announced.
July 2005
The public local inquiry is to be held from 14-16 September at a location yet to be fixed. SLEG is busy preparing evidence to present to the Inspector.
April 2005
SLEG has produced and submitted an initial statement in preparation for the inquiry.
March 2005
Appeals from Merrimans and Bleaklow Industries have been accepted for processing by the Planning Inspectorate. The Inspectorate say that a public inquiry will be held later this year and SLEG intend to present a strong case in support of the PDNPA’s action.
21 January 2005
PDNPA have approved the Arthurton West planning application.
18 January 2005
Merrimans have lodged an appeal. This means that the enforcement notice is suspended until the appeal has been resolved by the Planning Inspectorate. This will involve a public inquiry in which SLEG will play a full part.