Warning after illegal quarrying carried out on protected Peak District land

15/12/2023

Illegal quarrying at a protected site in the Peak District has been stopped. Officers from the Peak District National Park Authority [1] (PDNPA) conducted a random site inspection at the former Wagers Flat Quarry on Longstone Edge and discovered quarrying taking place despite the location being subject to a prohibition order. A visit to the former quarry between Bakewell and Calver [2], in early December, exposed the illegal activity taking place.

Despite the site being the subject of a prohibition order imposed by the PDNPA in 2013 and confirmed by the Secretary of State in 2016, officers discovered mineral extraction being carried out. The prohibition order prevents mineral quarrying or dumping of mineral waste at the site. A temporary stop notice (TSN) has now been served to the site owners and requires the immediate cessation of mineral extraction and exportation for 28 days.

Any action that breaks the TSN will become a prosecutable offence. Poll: Is the government doing enough to help with the cost of living?[3] A follow-up visit by PDNPA officers confirmed that mineral extraction had ceased.

Equipment that was being used at the site is also now expected to be transported away from the location. Tom Evans, strategic planning manager at the Peak District National Park Authority said: “With some 555 square miles of the Peak District under our care, random inspections of this nature are vital to ensure that legal notices of the highest level like prohibition of works are being adhered to. We’re pleased that on this occasion the site owners have recognised the seriousness of the temporary stop notice and appear to have ceased current works with immediate effect.

“Ultimately, protection of the landscape in the immediate area and across the National Park is of the highest priority for us and the period afforded by the TSN will allow the PDNPA to instigate any further enforcement action it deems expedient to ensure a complete cessation of extraction and exportation at the site.”

References

^ Peak District National Park Authority (www.derbytelegraph.co.uk)
^ between Bakewell and Calver (www.derbytelegraph.co.uk)
^ Is the government doing enough to help with the cost of living? (xd.wayin.com)