Planning Application NP/DDD/0299/082
Lees Cross & Endcliffe Quarries
Split into two parts - the Supporting Statement (Part A) and the Environmental Impact Assessment (Part B), divided into several sections and appendices, together taking up about 200 pages, including various maps, charts and photographs. A lot of the text is very dry, and the technical detail covers many different disciplines, which makes it difficult to get a good overall impression. Thankfully, the non- technical summary at the start of Part B is clear and concise. The documents were prepared mostly by Glentoal Associates Ltd and their trading subsidiary James Associates, prop. James Cuthbert, with contributions from Planit Environmental, Humphries Rowell Associates Ltd, Kevan Walton Associates Ltd and Sheffield University.
Overall, the application has the look and feel of a professional job, especially the maps and charts. However, closer inspection reveals much vagueness - too many instances of "probably", "might" and similar words where actual data should have been used. More helpfully, the proposed plan itself offers us some avenues of attack, included below. I wouldn't recommend going to PDNPA and reading it from cover to cover to everyone, but if you are e.g. a geologist or town planner, then you're more than welcome to it,
| Footpaths: | footpath through Lees Cross quarry not registered officially, but has been used with knowledge and consent of landowner, therefore possibility of placing an Act of Ceasement on the site. Access to Stanton Moor (NT) & Earl Grey tower will remain, but to the north and the spring will go, replaced by new paths linking Lees road, NW section of old path and Stanton-in-Peak CP Footpath No 10. Footpath No 7 through Endcliffe quarry has application pending (1995) to change route further N. |
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| Water: | no details provided by villagers re. source of free water supply. Spring @ SW boundary feeds into water tank, which will definitely be quarried (see maps). Possible EU law on spring water, but not on OS maps so not registered officially. Three licensed water abstractions in the area, all live, one owned by Stancliffe Stone (grid ref SK 2350 6384). |
| Landslip: | view expressed that quarrying will ease pressure on landslip & reduce risk of further rock falls (!), so we need an eminent geologist to disagree. Quotes himself as though an independent authority, misleading & unprofessional. |
| Security: | 1m high post fence to be used @ quarry & path edge. |
| Access Route: | separate routes for inbound & outbound traffic as now, R. Derwent crossed @ Rowsley and not Darley Bridge. |
| Entrance: | New entrance proposed for Endcliffe, directly opposite Lees Cross (where footpath emerges, see above), will need separate planning application. |
| Highways: | no proposed increase in consented number of vehicles, so no traffic report (?). Separate access road not on, but have agreed with Derbyshire CC to repair existing routes. |
| Tourism: | most tourism at weekends, but operating hours include Saturday mornings & maintenance only on Bank Holidays. Proposed heritage centre showing quarrying through the ages! |
| Ecology: | "no protected, rare or nationally scarce species". No bats found (the Count disagrees!) but too early for them to roost, possibly wrong type of rock & trees but may use the Tower. Empty badger setts found, no occupants now, but nomadic creatures & may want to return in future. Botanist needed to identify rare & diverse flora not mentioned in application. |
| Archaeology: | apart from known features such as post Medieval quarrying buildings & Earl Grey Tower (1832, Grade II), unidentified oval structure on hilltop @ Endcliffe needs listing with Land Registry in Sites & Monuments Register. Archaeologist report to follow. |