Countryside campaigners are celebrating after British Government chiefs turned down proposals to increase quarrying near a historic site. Plans to extend Tearsall Quarry at Bonsall Moor (Derbyshire, England) – and extract another 27,000 tonnes of material – have been rejected by the Deputy Prime Minister following a public inquiry into the scheme. Operators Slinter Mining Company appealed against an earlier decision by Peak Park bosses not to allow a 0.34 hectare extension at the site, which lies between Wensley and Winster. And now their concerns that it would 'destroy the valuable characteristics of the National Park' have been upheld following the hearing in March.
     A spokesperson for the Save Wensley Hillside Group, which has been fighting the plans, said: "We are delighted with this decision and we look forward to regaining the peace and quiet this beautiful area of the Peak naturally offers." A report from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister stated that 'granting permission would prolong the impact of operational noise on the otherwise quiet and peaceful qualities that are a valued characteristic of this national park landscape."
     Dave Bent, senior mineral planner at the Peak District National Park Authority, added: "We are pleased that our ruling has been upheld and the inquiry recognised our concerns that this further development would have a detrimental impact on the landscape and spoil people's enjoyment of the area." The Campaign for Rural England (CPRE) also opposed the plans, which they claimed would harm underground archaeological remains at the nearby North Dale Lead Mines scheduled ancient monument.

Source: Bakewell Today (8 July 2005)