Cross party campaign against Ding Quarry re-opening

Date published: 20 October 2007

Following the news revealed earlier this week on Rochdale Online that Welsh company D P Williams Holdings Ltd wants to begin mineral works at Ding Quarry, off Rooley Moor Road, a plan which could signal the re-opening of the Lanehead quarry, it appears once again that it will be at the heart of a massive public protest.

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/News/news.asp?ID=4595

Councillor Elwyn Watkins (Lib Dem) and Councillor Ann Metcalfe (Conservative) have vowed to organise a non-political cross party campaign against the move.

Councillor Elwyn Watkins said: "This work will start over my dead body.

"Ten years ago, 2,000 people fought against this plan and I am sure these people will be willing to do the same again.

"This quarry has not been opened for a long time and it is unacceptable that it should be re-opened."

Councillor Metcalfe, a seasoned campaigner having been the instigator and organiser of the campaign against the Scout Moor wind farm, added: "Investigation, research and expertise are being brought together to safeguard and protect this area of moorland.

"The 'battle' to stop the quarry re-opening and protect the moors has been quietly going on for some considerable time in the background.

 I am more than happy to act as co-ordinator in a new campaign.

Asked on the Rochdale Online message board exactly what the problem with the quarry re-opening would be, Councillor Watkins said: "Opening the quarry will have a disastrous effect in several areas:

• Hundreds of lorries will daily travel through residential areas.
• At the moment the moorland is a place of tranquility where local people walk their dogs, run, mountain bike or simply enjoy the peace and quiet. 
• Opening the quarry may only be the first part. They then may apply to use it as a site for dumping waste. 
• The moors are ecologically very sensitive."

D P Williams Holdings caused outrage in 1995 with a bid to start working on Ding, with worried families gathering to block the path of lorries.

They feared extra traffic would turn their roads into death traps for children. Following a campaign, the firm was told it would have to mine under stringent conditions approved by the council, as the quarry had lain dormant for over 50 years. The firm insisted it had never stopped quarrying and was extracting 150,000 tons of stone a year.

The council’s planning department is keen to hear the public’s views on the application. Alan Whale, development control manager, said: "Legally the council cannot refuse the application and DP Williams has permission to quarry that goes back to 1949.

"However, the council can still place conditions on that permission.

"So it is vital that any views on the application and representations on the proposed conditions are sent to the council as soon as possible and certainly before the end of the official consultation period on 19 November."

DP Williams has also submitted an environmental statement, which assesses issues like traffic and noise.