Peak Pasture
Landowner: Bleaklow Industries
Mineral Rights Owner: Bleaklow Industries for limestone, Glebe Mines for vein minerals
Operater: None
Quarrying History: None
STATUS: No quarrying activity at the moment
Bleaklow Mining own much of the land within the area of the Backdale 1952 permission, and the limestone mineral rights. However the vein mineral rights in the bulk of the permission, north of Bramley Lane, are owned by Glebe Mines. (In 1997 RMC had a lease on these from the then owners, Laportes, but the rights have now reverted to Glebe.)
Since the 1952 permission is primarily for vein minerals, the effect of Bleaklow not owning the mineral rights north of the road prevents them operating there under the 1952 permission without the mineral rights owner's permission. Glebe Mines are on record for saying that this permission will not be granted. (There is a point of law where a mining operator can claim unreasonable withholding of permission, but we believe this does not apply here.)
Until relatively recently, we considered this area to be safe. Glebe had previously given a legal undertaking not to work their rights in this area, in exchange for the granting of a fluorspar mining permission to Glebe at Winster. Unfortunately, this undertaking is now being challenged in a judicial review and therefore could all be cancelled.
In addition, the Coombs Dale Special Area of Conservation (SAC) which overlaps with this permission should provide protection against any activity which would threaten the rare habitats and wildlife in this region, but unfortunately damage can't be stopped until it has already taken place.