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dave_hill
Starting Member
United Kingdom
1 Posts |
 Posted - 11/13/2007 : 13:33:31
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Hello all, this is my first post in the RSF forums, so I hope that you d not mind me kicking of with arather an important issue!
Rochdale Borough Council in Lancashire has received a planning application in respect of D. P. Williams Holdings Ltd, who wish to recommence extraction of stone from Ding Quarry, near Rochdale.
What has this to do with off-road cycling I hear you ask? Read on...
The only access to Ding Quarry is by Rooley Moor Road. This road is part of the Mary Towneley Loop of the Pennine Bridleway. If the application is approved it means that there is the possibility in the not too distant future of at least one quarry wagon using that road every 2 to 3 minutes, during working hours Monday to Saturday.
Notwithstanding the fact that Rooley Moor Road is an ancient byway, parts of which date back to the 16th century and also that parts of it are prime examples of Pennine sett-stone causeway it is entirely unsuited to HGV/quarry traffic use. In addition use by HGV/quarry traffic is completely at odds with its status as part of a National Trail.
The applicant's land agents have submitted an environmental report to Rochdale Borough Council, but this completely fails to recognise the Mary Towneley Loop as part of the Pennine Bridleway, instead treating it as a separate entity.
Rochdale Borough Council is now inviting objections to the proposals which can be viewed either at the Council Offices in Smith Street, Rochdale, or via their website www.rochdale.gov.uk - follow the links to the planning department portal and search on reference number 07/D49980.
As potential, if not actual, users of the Pennine Bridleway it is essential that we as off-road cyclists voice our objections to the proposals or we could loose an important section of trail. Even if you live in Cornwall or London or never plan to use the trail you should still stand up and be counted for the principle of the thing. The more people object the better chance we stand of the proposals beign rejected.
If you would like to object but are not sure how to do so, please PM me and I will do my best to help you. I have already written to Rochdale Council to object, and I am quite happy for anyone else to use my objections as their own as long as they append their own name and contact details to it (objections become legally binding evidence in a planning application and cannot be made anonymously or in someone elses name). I can send this document to you in Microsoft Word format if you require.
Thanks to Simeon for drawing my attention to the RSF forums, which I hope to make more frequent use of in the future.
Regards, John
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mtb mick
Starting Member
3 Posts |
Posted - 11/14/2007 : 14:14:57
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Thanks for the post. MT Loop is on my doorstep and offers lots of great off-road cycling. I'll certainly be objecting. We need to get the Ramblers Assn, the CTC, the RSF, IMBA and the horse riders' interest groups to support the status quo, if they aren't involved already. I wonder if the Pennine Bridleway National Trail people have a voice? How widely has your note above been circulated?
Regards
Mick |
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PBW - Mary Towneley Loop Section Under Threat!
