Shale quarry conditions review at Hope Shale Quarry Pindale Road Hope

“The application for the first periodic review of the scheme of conditions relating to the Hope Shale Quarry was submitted in December 2023 accompanied by an Environmental Statement (ES). Mineral operations are currently carried out under planning permission NP/HPK/0403/038 dated 6 th October 2006, which is subject to 36 planning conditions and allows mineral extraction to take place until 21 February 2042, with restoration to be completed five years later.”

“The applicant has provided operational details in relation to the quarry. Shale continues to be extracted from the eastern shale quarry and is being worked to a depth of up to approximately 50 metres. The shale is extracted from the quarry floor by a hydraulic excavator without the need for blasting. The material is then crushed and blended, and loaded onto a covered conveyor using a front loader and transported to Hope Cement Works (HCW).”

“The Site comprises land adjacent to the applicant’s Hope Cement Works and is located approximately 400 metres south of Hope, 600 metres north of Bradwell and 1.4 km east of Castleton. Access is via Pindale Road and the A6187, with rail access to the works sidings via a private branch line to the Earles sidings on the Hope Valley rail line to the east which crosses the PDNP connecting Sheffield and Manchester.”

“The permitted area for shale extraction which is the subject of this application (covering approximately 69.3 hectares) comprises two quarries: the western shale quarry and the eastern shale quarry. Most of the western shale quarry (which covers 30.7 hectares) is vegetated and approaching the end of the restoration process. The eastern shale quarry (which is 32.8 hectares) is currently active, with the permitted extraction area fully open.”

“There have been no representations made by members of the public.”

“Some Members had visited the site the previous day.”

“Members discussed the following points: • Being overly prescriptive on the Restoration Plan could impact on operator costs and reduce outcomes. • Parts of the site no longer being worked had shown signs of recovery without restoration measures. • If solar panels were a consideration at the aftercare stage, a planning application would be required.”

“A motion to APPROVE the application in accordance with the officer recommendation was moved, seconded, put to the vote and carried.”

“That the Scheme of Conditions set out in Appendix A are agreed in principle, and that delegated authority is granted to the Head of Planning and Conservation to determine the final wording of the Scheme of Conditions following discussions with the Applicant.”