A CONTROVERSIAL planning application to reopen a quarry in the Lake District has been halted by the national park authority - after it informed the applicant it is unable to decide on the plans.
In March, plans were submitted to the Lake District National Park Authority for the ‘determination of modern conditions for the future working of limestone’ from Clints Quarry at Moota, which, if approved by the authority, would have see the former quarrying site reopened.
The application by D A Harrison and Sons Ltd of Silloth faced strong levels of objection from some local residents and opposers - with many concerned about the impact on great crested newts.
Last week, the Lake District National Park Authority informed the applicant that it had decided not to determine the application.
It said this is due to a number of factors including: that the quarrying depth granted by the original planning permission in 1966 has 'already been reached' and therefore there is no mineral left in the site that can be worked under this permission; the 1974 planning permission was not started so has expired and; the application involves development beyond the old site boundaries where new development would require a modern planning permission.
David Roberts, chair of the Clints Quarry Action Group said: “We are pleased that the Lake District National Park has refused to determine this application.
"This is a protected landscape with two SSSIs, and SAC and a Conservation Area directly impacted, not to mention the irreparable damage quarrying would cause to the flora and fauna abundant on Clints Crags, one of Alfred Wainwright’s favourite outlying fells.
"The Lake District National Park World Heritage Site needs us all to be its custodians."
One of the most controversial issues around the application was the fact the quarry was home to a protected species: the great crested newt, with fears the species could decline due to the removal of three out of four of the current breeding ponds and one third of the terrestrial habitats on the site.
Julia Aglionby, Lib Dem parliamentary candidate for Penrith and the Solway commented: "I'm delighted the Lake District National Park Authority has dismissed the application to reopen the quarry at Clint Crags - a site of national and international significance for nature.
"Huge credit is due to the campaigners and Blindcrake Parish Council for putting forward such a legally robust and well-argued objection.
"This shows the critical role of local communities through parish councils in protecting communities and the environment.
"I was one of the objectors and now hope that the developers will recognise the importance of this site for nature and will desist from further attempts to seek permission on this site."
The applicant will now have the opportunity to appeal against the decision if they wish, or alternatively they may choose to lodge another full planning application for the site.
At the time of the application they said the site is needed as it is experiencing 'increasing difficulty' in securing limestone, and the application will underpin 200 existing jobs as well as supporting a 'modest increase' in employees.
D A Harrison and Sons Ltd of Silloth have been approached for comment.
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