Longstone Edge

Questions and Answers

Where are Backdale and Wagers Flat?

Backdale is on the eastern end of Longstone Edge, off Hassop Road (B6001) between Bakewell and Calver.
Backdale grid ref: SK 233 735 (Ordnance Survey Explorer Map OL24 - White Peak).

Wagers Flat is nearer the middle of Longstone Edge, off Longstone Moor Road.
Wagers Flat grid ref: SK 228 735 (Ordnance Survey Explorer Map OL24 - White Peak).

When was the public inquiry into the enforcement action at Backdale?

13 - 28 February 2007 at Calver Village Hall.

Who conducted the inquiry?

David Baldock, an independent Planning Inspector, part of the Planning Inspectorate – an executive agency of the Department for Communities and Local Government.

What did he consider?

Appeals by Bleaklow Industries Ltd (the landowner) and MMC Mineral Processing Ltd (operator) against an enforcement notice served by the Peak District National Park Authority in May 2006, relating to alleged unauthorised limestone extraction at Backdale Quarry.

The Save Longstone Edge Group and the Friends of the Peak District (Campaign to Protect Rural England) also presented a case to the Inquiry.

What was the result?

The Inspector upheld the Authority’s enforcement notice, with amendments.

Inquiry outcome - Inspector's decision letter (135KB)

When is the appeal against the Backdale inquiry decision?

27 - 29 February 2008 in the High Court, London. The claimant is Bleaklow Industries Ltd. MMC Midlands Ltd (the company recently changed its name from MMC Mineral Processing Ltd) is an interested party in the proceedings. The case is being defended for the Planning Inspectorate by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, and the Authority will be represented in support of the defence.

What is the Authority’s current position on Backdale?

The Authority issued a stop notice in January 2008 following evidence that significant quantities of limestone had been extracted since September 2007, beyond the scope of the 1952 planning permission.

What is happening at Wagers Flat?

Quarrying started at Wagers Flat in July 2006. Authority monitoring found that limestone activity went beyond the 1952 planning permission. The Authority issued enforcement and stop notices against quarry operators MMC Mineral Processing Ltd and owner Bleaklow Industries Ltd in May 2007.

The companies appealed. An eight-day public inquiry is scheduled to start on 13 May 2008.

Where can I see information lodged with the Planning Inspectorate?

On the Government’s Planning Casework Service website:

www.pcs.planningportal.gov.uk/pcsportal/casesearch.asp

Use the following Case Reference numbers:

For Backdale
Bleaklow Industries: APP/M9496/C/06/2017966
MMC Midlands Ltd: APP/M9496/C/06/2018130

For Wagers Flat
Bleaklow Industries Ltd: APP/M9496/C/07/2048337
MMC Midlands Ltd: APP/M9496/C/07/2048699

How to use the Planning Casework Service website

How do I contact the Planning Inspectorate?

Write to: Paul Eland, Room 3/26, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol, BS1 6PN.
Phone: 0117 372 8736
Customer Services: 0117 372 6372
Email: enquiries@planning-inspectorate.gsi.gov.uk

www.planning-inspectorate.gov.uk

Please quote the case reference numbers given above.

Where may I see publicly available documents relating to the cases?

At Peak District National Park Authority headquarters, Aldern House, Baslow Road, Bakewell, DE45 1AE during normal office hours (phone 01629 816200 to arrange an appointment).

The Authority’s reference numbers are:

For Backdale
Bleaklow Industries Ltd: B242/M2382
MMC Midlands Ltd: M166/M2382

For Wagers Flat
Bleaklow Industries Ltd:  B251/M5940
MMC Midlands Ltd: M172/M5940

When and how are public inquiry results made available?

The Planning Inspectorate normally tries to issue a decision within seven to eight weeks, though with complex cases this cannot be guaranteed.

All those who sign a request for the decision at the inquiry will be sent a copy.

You may also request a Decision Letter, by contacting the Planning Inspectorate’s Decision Letter Library on 0117 372 8759 or email dl.library@planning-inspectorate.gsi.gov.uk

A copy will also be available for inspection during normal office hours at the National Park Authority headquarters.

Outcomes of the appeals will also be publicised by the National Park Authority through news releases.