News Archive
23rd October 2006
The BBC Look North Politics Show took place on Sunday 22nd October LIVE from Calver Village Hall in the heart of the Peak District National Park.
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Over 170 people were crammed into the hall (with about half as many again
left outside - abject apologies to them)) to participate in a lively debate
about the alleged unlawful quarrying activity in Backdale Quarry and
associated areas.
A mixture of live broadcast and pre-recorded film, the audience heard formal contributions from the Save Longstone Edge campaign, the land owner, Lord Hattersley (a local resident) and a brief interview with the Chief executive of the Peak District National Park Authority - although no explanation was forthcoming about the PDNPA's decision not to appear on the stage on Sunday (speculation included the fact that it was half-term and all the key people were on holiday!). As far as we could tell, there was not even one member of the Authority in the audience.
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With local MP Patrick McLoughlin on the stage with presenter Cathy Killeck
in charge of proceedings, and Political Editor Len Tingle in the audience
with a travelling microphone gauging the attitude of the audience, viewers
will have been left in no doubt about the local strength of feeling
regarding the extraordinary rate of limestone extraction that is taking
place in the avowed pursuit of Fluorspar.
Great exasperation was clearly expressed at the PDNPA's inability to do anything decisive about this issue over the last 9 years, and the Government's complete failure to back them up with adequate funds and appropriate legal mechanisms so that the National Park may be saved for the benefit of future generations.
The conclusion drawn was that the Peak District National Park is really not in safe hands.
In the meantime, local MP Patrick McLoughlin has managed to secure an adjournment debate on this matter in Parliament on Tuesday 24th October at 1:00 pm.
A delegation of SLEG supporters will be attending on Tuesday, to support Patrick, and to draw further attention to our campaign and the government's refusal to take it seriously.
Edit: The adjournment debate has now taken place and details are available here.
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