Peak authority wins quarry appeal

Limestone removal from the quarry will be strictly limited

The Court of Appeal has upheld the Peak District National Park Authority's enforcement action to control limestone quarrying at Backdale in Derbyshire.

In 2007, a public inquiry ruled in favour of the authority who alleged limestone removal was excessive.

But in 2008 the High Court backed an appeal by quarry operators MMC Mineral Processing and work continued.

There is still a possibility the quarry's owners Bleaklow Industries could lodge a new appeal.

"Significant" limestone extraction has continued at the quarry since the High Court's decision in 2008 which, according the the Peak District National Park Authority, "contravenes the 1952 planning permission and harms the national park authority and environment".

Three judges from the Court of Appeal upheld the findings of the public inquiry and confirmed only a limited amount of limestone was allowed to be removed and sold in the course of extracting fluorspar, the primary mineral named in the 1952 planning permission.

Both MMC Mineral Processing and Bleaklow Industries were unavailable for comment.