‘This development would have adverse impact on the area’

TIME for some facts about the proposed holiday development at Moneystone Quarry.

I write on behalf of the Churnet Valley Conservation Society in response to Peter Swallow’s letter in the Post & Times of February 3.

There have been a total of over 300 letters of objection to this proposal.

The fact that some supporters of our society have written many letters reflects only the numerous flaws, omissions and misrepresentations in the documents submitted to the District Council.

These issues can only be discovered by methodically going through the hundreds of pages, charts, diagrams, maps and images steadily building up in the planning files.

The planning officer quite rightly has to evaluate both the submitted documents and the objections raised. After more than a year, it appears the Planning Officer is still not satisfied with the applicant’s responses on several key issues.

The fact that there are ‘Holding Objections ‘ from Natural England, the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust and the Woodland Trust give a good indication that this development would have a huge adverse impact on the fauna and flora of the area.

The Environment Agency has been asked to investigate the quarry 3 stability issues.

When it was a working quarry it was kept dry by pumping out the water.

The pumping having ceased this huge hole perched on the valley side has now filled up with water.

Nobody today actually knows what is going on under the surface of this vast expanse, the applicant’s own consultants end their report with the statement:

The recommendations given in this report are based on the findings of the past Site Investigations and supporting Desk Studies, undertaken as described.

The conclusions cannot be guaranteed to gain regulatory approval, should the report be required as part of a planning application.

If it is required as such, it should therefore be passed to the appropriate authorities for comment and approval, prior to undertaking any remediation or development work ».

The people of the whole area have always objected to this development which would bring unwanted traffic and pollution.

Remember that the quarry was supposed to have been restored to a natural environment.

What is now proposed would spoil, not just Moneystone, but the whole wonderful area of natural beauty and fascinating industrial heritage.

We must conserve these green spaces for future generations to enjoy.

Surely the accommodation available at the Alton Towers Resort and the many locally owned small scale facilities is sufficient?

John Steele Chair of the Churnet Valley

Conservation Society