06 September 2004

Cnp/Cpre Report On National Parks "Aggregates Extraction. Addressing The Legacy For National Parks."

QPA STATEMENT

The QPA and its members recognise the special status of National Parks and the need for quarry operations to be planned and operated responsibly. The QPA introduced a Four Point Plan for Quarrying in National Parks in 1998 in order to demonstrate commitment to minimising environmental impact of the industry’s activities in National Parks.

QPA Chief Executive Simon van der Byl said:

“We are not in a position to comment on the Report itself because the Council for National Parks (CNP) have so far refused to let industry see the report. However, we are extremely concerned and disappointed at the sensationalist tone of the CNP press release.

The promotion of the report is based upon a press campaign headlining so called “ticking time bombs”. This type of sensationalism devalues the issues and raises doubts about whether the CNP, CPRE and the Countryside Agency wish to have a rational discussion, or are focussing more on exaggerated and misleading headlines. The press campaign also claims that dormant quarry permissions are “ticking time bombs” “which could be reopened at any time.” In practice, this is an alarmist and highly misleading statement which ignores the requirements of existing legislation.

QPA members are committed to operating responsibly in National Parks, as indicated by the four-point plan commitment made in 1998, and we have been open in our dealings with all stakeholders as have individual member companies. Although we are disappointed that initial publicity has fallen below the standards we would now expect from the CNP, we anticipate that the full report (issued tomorrow) will be more balanced and we will continue to approach issues arising from it in a straightforward and constructive manner.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

1. The Quarry Products Association is the principal trade association representing the UK aggregates industry. In England our members produce over 90% of aggregates extracted - sand and gravel and crushed rock as well as other non aggregate minerals such as silica sand, agricultural and industrial lime including limestone, chalk, clay and shale for cement.
2. Due to their underlying geology, some National Parks, are important sources of minerals, including aggregates, and the associated employment and economic benefits for local communities. Their special status is reflected in the statistic that National Parks account for 10% of the land area of England and Wales, but provide only 5% of aggregates supply.
3. The QPA Four Point Plan for National Parks states the following:
   Under the plan QPA members will:
4. Work with the Government and National Park authorities to identify dormant planning permissions in National Parks which will not be reactivated and respond positively to initiatives by appropriate authorities to seek prohibition(3) orders. This goes further than the present statutory position that they should not be reopened without the imposition of modern planning conditions.
5. Work with National Park authorities to identify and clarify current permissions which are uncertain in scope or extent. Every effort will be made to resolve any areas of uncertainty without recourse to the courts.
6. Not submit any planning application for new mineral workings(4) in a National Park unless there is a national need in terms of minerals supply or where the proposal has benefits for the National Park in question.
7. Only propose the extension of existing sites in National Parks where:-
   •   there is a national need in terms of minerals supply
   • or the proposal has benefits for the environment, landscape
   • and economic well-being of the National Park in question.

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