Action group ‘disappointed’ with Council decision

Rooley Moor/Ding Quarry

Members of the Ding Quarry Action Group have spoken of their disappointment after councillors voted against plans to carry out an independent valuation of the site.

At a meeting of the Rochdale Township Action and Resources Committee a plan to look at the economic viability of the quarry was defeated by one vote.

The Ding Quarry planning application has dragged on for almost four years.

The Action Group has commissioned and paid for legal, transport and geological reports which have been given freely to Rochdale Council.

The group have asked for an independent valuation to be carried out at the quarry so that the Council would have a clear idea of how to begin to find a way of resolving the planning process.

Dave Thomas, Chairman of the Ding Quarry Action Group, said: “We’re very disappointed that councillors who had previously expressed support for the campaign seem to have turned their backs on the people of Rochdale.

“We briefed the committee very carefully, and addressed all of the questions the committee had, but nonetheless they voted to continue the stalemate.

“This was an opportunity to help end this controversial planning application that could cost Rochdale millions in road damage and pose significant health and safety problems from lorry traffic. Opening the quarry could destroy the heritage of the 'cotton famine road' together with the 'green tourism' potential of the 'Mary Townley bridleway', as well as disturbing our tranquil Pennine moorlands and delicate habitats.”

Mr Thomas added: "We are now asking for this important matter to be called in to the Overview and Scrutiny committee".

The group said the most vocal opponents against local campaigners were Councillor Ann Metcalfe and Councillor Ted Flynn.

Councillor Ann Metcalfe said: “I think the Ding Quarry Action Group over the years have done a tremendous amount of good work and I don’t want to take any of that away, however I feel it would have set a precedent for other campaign groups to come and ask the Council for money and that would put the Council in a very difficult position.”

Councillor Metcalfe said she thought it would be better for the campaign group to raise the money for the valuation.

She added: “I am not against the campaign; I do hope that it doesn’t get approved but I don’t think it is up to the Council to provide the funding for a valuation.” 

Councillor Flynn, said: “We should take no action and let the owners of Ding Quarry spend the money – this could finish up costing the Council a lot of money.”

Peter Rowlinson, Head of Planning and Regulation, Rochdale Borough Council said: “The discussion amongst Councillors centred on whether undertaking the valuation would be a productive use of council resources.

“Securing a valuation would be likely to show the site has little value, but in the current economic climate the Council may not necessarily be able to take any further action due to the costs involved.

“These costs would include legal fees and possibly some compensation should we seek to revoke the existing planning permission.”