Rivington Against Greenbelt Exploitation RAGE Meeting Dec 9 th 2010

Agenda 1.Introductions 1. Blackrod & Horwich Environmental Action Groupwww.bheag.co.uk 2.What is this Quarry stuff all about? a)The Grand Plan b)Planning History c)Environmental Issues d)Planning Inspector 3.Update on today's planning meeting 4.Update on Judicial Review 5.What can we do? 6.We need your help!

Montcliffe & Pilkington Quarries Rivington Pike Georges Lane Chorley Old Road Proposed Pilkington Quarry Extension M 61 Chorley New Road

Stone to be removed between 2 quarries Contaminated & Unstable Buttress Proposed extension to Pilkington Montcliffe to be used for huge ‘recycling’ facility Pilkington to be used for dumping material that can’t be recycled

The Grand Plan Montcliffe and Pilkington Quarries are both operated by Armstrongs Obvious concerns (fires, fines, warnings) not relevant to planning Create a huge ‘recycling’ and waste tip facility Knock through between Montcliffe & Pilkington creates mega quarry Cannot be achieved in one planning permission Over development in green belt Smaller step by step planning applications used instead The mega quarry may create the ‘very special circumstances’ required for Greenbelt development

Pilkington Planning Applications 80931/08 – Rejected Oct 2009 – Applicant appealing 83299/09 – Granted Oct 2010 – Judicial Review 83999/09 – Granted Oct 2010 – Judicial Review 84065/10 – Planning Committee today

Pilkington Planning History 83299/09 – Granted Oct 2010 – Judicial Review Extend life of the 2002 permission due to the end date being unlawful. Removed restriction on the number of vehicles able to use the quarry. Did not follow correct planning procedure /09 – Granted Oct 2010 – Judicial Review 84065/10 – Planning Committee today Extension to the current void for 15 years

Montcliffe Quarry Was run well by Hanson’s and due to close in 2011 & restored. Responsibility for extraction and restoration of transferred from Hanson to GCN LTD – registered at Armstrong’s on Chorley New Road Has permission to build a road, extract & restore (fill in?) Need to watch for any temp permission while moving out of Chorley New Road. A full planning history of Montcliffe quarry is required. Doesn’t appear to have 2042 end date.

Planning Inspector Relevant environmental information in an ES to be comprehensive and easily accessible. The emphasis of Schedule 4 is on the main or significant environmental effects. Further Information Requested :- General, operations, (including hydrology) material recycling, restoration ( including contamination), noise and dust, traffic

Update on today's planning meeting Adjourned for a special planning meeting next week Monday 13 th Dec 2pm

Judicial Review Legal review in the courts of planning decisions Buxtons Solicitors – Environmental & Public Law Specialists 2 Planning permissions granted on 15 th October strong legal arguments (3 or 4 is normal) ‘Letter before action’ sent – 14 days to respond (today) Bolton Council want to respond after 14 days and after current application meeting Solicitor funded by some local residents & bheag Donations very welcome & necessary

What can we do? Try and defeat each quarry planning permission Environmental issues – water, waste, noise, dust, visual Traffic movements Green belt Removal of public footpaths Planning process Judicial review Grind them down – become an expensive nuisance Hearts & Minds – Save Rivington & the West Pennine Moors !

We need your help Expertise Legal, Planning, Environmental Research Find documents, internet research Campaigners Organise support, leaflet drops Fund Raisers Coordinate donations, fund raising events Treasurer Proper accounting of all funds raised & spent Communication Coordinate s, updates Administration Follow up meeting actions, offers of help etc... Supporters Who do you know? Neighbours, interest groups e.g. Cyclists, fell runners, horse riders, ramblers Please let us know of any expertise you have that could be useful

Next Steps Monthly meetings to keep all up to date Council to formally respond to Judicial Review action next week Judicial review hearing early next year ACTIONS Please volunteer to help Please pledge support for fundraising Next meeting Thursday, Jan 20 th 2011