A CAMPAIGN to protect the Peak District from quarrying has been boosted by the intervention of a Government minister.
Rural affairs minister Jim Knight has stepped in to offer 'exceptional' support to the Peak District Park Authority, which is fighting a legal battle to protect Longstone Edge, near Bakewell, from quarrying.
MMC Mineral Processing Ltd and Bleaklow I
ndustries were give planning permission to take minerals from the area in 1952.
They were also granted the right to remove sections of limestone as part of the mineral extraction process.
But the authority claims the companies are now acting illegally by extracting large amounts of limestone from the Backdale part of Longstone Edge.
And they fear that if operations continued the historic landscape would be permanently blighted.
Mr Knight said: "The Peak District is a highly-valued and important part of England's national heritage and it is because of the significant pressure on the landscape at Backdale that we have taken the decision to intervene in support of the National Park Authority.
"I should emphasise that it is an exceptional set of circumstances which has led to our involvement.
"I hope that this case will send out a clear message that landscape conservation issues are of great importance to Government.
"I do hope that our support will help the Authority as it works to resolve the situation and bring about a positive and sustainable solution."
Authority chairman Tony Hams said: "We'd like to thank the community for standing alongside us on this issue and playing an important role in raising awareness of Longstone Edge at the highest levels of Government."
A public inquiry was opened and adjourned last September.
A public meeting will be held at Cliff College, Calver, on Monday January 30 at 7.30pm to keep residents informed of developments.
