Firm quarrying too much limestone

A quarrying company has been told to cut back on its extraction at a site in north Derbyshire.

The Peak District National Park Authority is taking legal action because it says the beauty of the area around Longstone Edge is being spoilt.

MMC Ltd began working Backdale Quarry in July 2003, and is allowed to quarry limestone when extracting other minerals such as fluorspar or lead.

But the Peak Park says the company is breaching the terms of its agreement.

It says MMC Ltd has extracted more limestone than allowed under an agreement, dating back to1952, and left waste visible at the site.

The authority has given MMC Ltd and landowners Bleaklow Industries until 14 January to remove the waste and cut back its limestone extraction to agreed levels.

The company has refused to comment.