Browse Sections

• Education
• Special reports

Ding decision delayed until the summer

11/12/2007

A DECISION will not be made on plans to re-open Ding Quarry until the middle of next year.

An application from DP Williams (Holdings) Ltd to restart work at the Lanehead quarry was due to go before a planning committee this month.

But after taking legal advice and meeting with the Welsh firm, council planning officers have put the date back until the end of May at the earliest.

Ken Smith, head of planning at Rochdale Council, said: "We have taken legal advice and we do not need to make a decision within the standard three-month period.

"We have met with the agents for DP Williams and they have voluntarily agreed to extend this period until the end of May.

"The response we have got back from the bodies we consulted with is that there is not enough information included in the application for them to make recommendations about which conditions should be put in place.

"But the main point is no decision will be made this month and it will be the middle of next year at the earliest before the application goes before the planning committee."

Councillor Wera Hobhouse, cabinet member for the environment, said: "I am pleased that the applicant has agreed to this extension. I believe it will make for a better more informed decision."

Campaigners have also welcomed the decision.

Dave Thomas, chairman of the Ding Quarry Action Group, said: "We are pleased that Rochdale council has acknowledged that the application lacked the detail required for a proper decision to be made.

"Although this pushes the decision back, the group recognises that nothing has changed as regards the ability of Williams to re-open the quarry. The planning consent persists."

Jason Addy of the Save Spodden Valley group added: "This is huge news. This means DP Williams can’t steamroller this application through.

"It is an example of people power prevailing and of the council planning department using the law to do their job."

DP Williams have applied to the council to confirm which working conditions it must adhere if the quarry reopens.

The move has sparked a huge public backlash supported by the Observer’s Sling Out Ding campaign.