Big changes in the Peak District to preserve its 'scenic beauty'

But quarry operators say the proposal is contrary to the National Planning Policy Framework

Plans to reduce the amount of quarrying in the Peak District National Park have met with opposition from some quarry operators. It is one of the key components contained in the Derbyshire and Derby Joint Minerals Local Plan, which has been prepared to be sent to the Government in November.

The local plan, which has been prepared by both Derbyshire County Council and Derby City Council, was approved at a cabinet meeting in Matlock and Councillor Carolyn Renwick, county council cabinet member for infrastructure and environment, said that although the minerals industry employs thousands of people in Derbyshire it was still important to "maintain areas in a sustainable way".

A public consultation was held on the plan which included drop-in events and resulted in 412 representations being received from 50 organisations or individuals.

Other key issues considered included climate change, the supply of aggregates, sand, gravel, crushed rock, building stone, limestone, fossil fuels and coal, and site allocations for sand and gravel.

It was revealed the Peak District National Park Authority fully supports the plan’s policy approach for a gradual reduction of quarrying in the National Park, according to the county council. This would involve a 10% reduction in the park authority’s provision for aggregate crushed rock, which would be a compensated with by an expected 10% increase in the county council’s overall provision of the same rock.

A number of quarry operators have objected to this approach, including the Minerals Products Association, Breedon and Tarmac on grounds that the policy is not supported by the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). But the council’s officers argued the policy approach accords with the NPPF.

The county council said it is aimed at conserving and enhancing landscape and scenic beauty in National Park and that protection afforded to national parks is set out in the Environment Act and the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act.

The county council explained the approach does not mean an end to quarrying in the Peak District with the approach only relating to aggregate crushed rock and the park authority’s core strategy still sets out that proposals for new or extended quarries for crushed rock will still be considered in exceptional circumstances.

Chesterfield Borough Council has also objected to the safeguarding of coal resources and argued there is no longer any domestic market for coal, and that such an approach would impact adversely on the delivery of growth particularly within built up areas and allocated sites within the borough council’s Local Plan.

South Derbyshire District Council objected to the allocation of sand and gravel sites in the Trent and Dove Valleys on the grounds that the plan is allocating more sites than are needed.

This district council also argued there has been no investigation as to whether the working of minerals on a number of specific sand and gravel allocation sites could lead to an increase in flood risk in the Lower Dove Valley.

But the council has stated planning requirements for the sand and gravel sites includes detailed consideration of flood issues with the potential for operators to provide improvements against flood risk.

It also argued that it is important to continue the proposed level of sand and gravel provision and allocations to ensure the continued steady and adequate supply of sand and gravel required by national policy.

Derbyshire County Council has also suggested mitigation strategies to help reduce the impact on heritage assets should be part of the plan after Heritage England had raised objections regarding the impact of minerals development on important heritage assets.

The county council’s cabinet decision to approve the submission of the plan will need to be agreed at a full council meeting, on October 9, with a public examination due between April and June, 2025, and the possible adoption expected by December, 2025.