The Rossendale Rambler

When Penelope Kempe, the Ramblers' National Office Countryside Policy Officer, suggested, in February, that I take on the job of Countryside Officer for the Rossendale Group, she pointed out that I would be mainly involved in minerals planning applications, the type of work which I was already doing. And this has been the case. Since March, I have submitted objections to minerals applications at both Tong Farm and Little Tooter Hill Quarries, Bacup and to the application for an extension to the Scout Moor Quarry at Edenfield. I have also submitted evidence to the Public Inquiry on the Lancashire Minerals and Waste Local Plan, evidence which asserted that further quarrying permissions in Rossendale and the horrifyingly huge landfill site planned for the Whitworth Quarries were both unwarranted. I have provided information to other Countryside Officers and to Ramblers' National Officers on the destructive effects of the spreading of waste paper sludge. I hope that this will become a major Ramblers' campaign in the New Year when the Government put out to consultation its proposed new legislation to control land-spreading activities.

An area in which I have been less active and in which I hope to improve my performance next year is in opposing developments in the Green Belt. The problem I face is that, from the advertised description of the application in the Free Press, it is not possible to discover whether the proposed site is in or outside of the Urban Boundary. In Bacup, I can rely on information from local residents. But I have no one to assist me In Rawtenstall, Haslingden or Edenfield and it is not until the Planning Officer's report goes to the Planning Committee that I am made aware that the proposed site is within the Green Belt which leaves me too little time for action. In order to prevent urban sprawl into the Green Belt in Rossendale, it would be helpful if members of the Group could inform me of any prospective Green Belt planning applications in their area.

The major issue in the coming year will be the proposals to build a series of wind turbine power stations in the South and West Pennines. There are, in total, ten such power stations planned for the moors between Huddersfield and Blackburn. If they are all granted, there will be at least one or two groups of wind turbines visible from every part of the moors. In some places, they will be seen on every horizon. It is anticipated that the planning applications for the wind turbines at Hogshead Law Hill (Bacup) and Great Hill (Littleborough) will be submitted in the next month or so. It is vital that these applications are refused by the local Councils and the Inspector at the Public Inquiries which will no doubt follow. However success will only be le Rambler but unfortunately it ‘went missing’ beneath the mound of papers on my desk. Apologies to the Countryside Officer - Editor)

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