In reply to Alan James - UKC:
Latest news, just in from the Peak Park Authority.
This is firstly to let you know that Barry Gardiner MP, the Minister for Biodiversity, Landscape and Rural Affairs at Defra - who is responsible for all English National Parks - will be visiting the Peak District National Park tomorrow, Tuesday 30 January.
He will see at first hand the quarries on Longstone Edge and, afterwards we have arranged for him to meet representatives from organisations including Save Longstone Edge Group, Friends of the Peak District, British Mountaineering Council, Stanton Against Destruction of our Environment, Stanton Lees Action Group and parish councils, at the National Park Authority headquarters.
He will also learn about our work with children and young people, our services to visitors and management of land for wildlife. In addition he will be re-launching the Peak District Land Management Advisory Service that moves to the Agricultural Business Centre in Bakewell this month.
Secondly, to provide you with as much background information as possible in the run-up to the Backdale Public Inquiry (starting 13th Feb 2007 at Calver Village Hall) we have set up a web-page:
www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/backdale
This gives comprehensive information about the case and about the procedure of a public inquiry, including:
* A Question-and-Answer sheet
* Media Background Briefing Notes
* National Park Authority Proofs of Evidence (the case we are submitting to the Inquiry)
* Copies of the original 1952 planning permission and map, plus a modern site-plan
* A link to the Govt Planning Service web-page where submissions from all parties are accessible
* General guidance about Public Inquiries from the Planning Inspectorate.
Barbara Crossley (Communications Officer)