New rule threat to island's quarries

From the archive, first published Saturday 8th Sep 2007.

PORTLAND'S natural beauty is to get new protection from the

centuries-old industry that has made it famous throughout the world - stone quarrying.

Several areas on the island have been afforded special European

protection in recognition of its wildlife and habitat - and that is

likely to result in stricter regulations on existing quarrying rights.

A meeting by Dorset County Council's planning committee yesterday granted approval, subject to amendments, to a draft assessment of tightening planning permission granted more than 50 years ago.

It has wide-ranging consequences for the industry because it rules out any further physical disturbance to the ground or

vegetation in some quarries.

In some areas development may be allowed in accordance with an approved scheme.

It also prevents any further excavations with a three-metre stand-off' to the areas, the development or use of roads within five metres and the building or operation of stone crushing plants within 100 metres.

Stone businesses will be entitled to compensation for losses if planning permissions approved decades ago have to be modified.

Members of the planning committee voted five-to-two in favour of the changes and, speaking after the meeting, principal planning officer for the council Jerry Smith said: "We're looking at potentially taking away rights people have over existing planning permissions and we have to make sure it is justified and necessary.

"It's the authority's obligation to do this work because of European law on wildlife habitats of international value."

The move has come about because important grassland and scrub which grow on cliffs and around the island - including in some old quarries - have been classed as Special Areas of Conservation (SAC).

County planners, in close consultation with quarry operators and Natural England, have been examining the conflict between mineral extraction and protected areas for some time.

They have now concluded that continued stone extraction would have significant effects' on wildlife habitats.

Mr Smith said: "The main planning permission was granted in 1951 with effectively no restrictions.

"Now we're looking at adding restrictions to protect international wildlife.

"Some years ago we set up a code of practice with quarry companies and it's been quite successful. We're looking at something more formal now."

The restrictions are expected to mostly affect quarry sites along the Coastal Strip from Southwell towards Portland Bill and small areas in Broadcroft and around Admiralty Quarry on the North East of the island.

Mr Smith said: "These are the only ones where there's any suggestion that quarrying would be provided in the future."

The two large-scale quarry companies likely to be affected are Albion Stone Quarries Ltd and Stone Firms Ltd.

During the meeting Councillor Les Ames raised his concern that any compensation bills were likely to be very high and the council could be left paying the cost.

Mr Smith said Defra believed the assessment to be thorough and rationally based and central Government looked set to cover any compensation bill.

The council's next move will now be to investigate the restrictions that need to be put in place - ideally with negotiation with the quarry companies for voluntary agreement.

Mr Smith said: "At the moment the indication is that Albion is willing to accept the restrictions and will not be applying for compensation, subject to whether they have to do any more dust monitoring.

"Stone Firms believe it will lead them having to make a compensation claim in due course, as and when we make a formal order."