THE FRIENDS OF THORNBOROUGH HENGES
Protecting, Preserving and Enhancing Our Cultural Landscape
NEWS RELEASE
For immediate release, 18/3/05
This is a considered response by the Friends of
Thornborough Henges to Tarmac’s recent announcement that:
- it will not seek to have Thornborough Moor
designated as a Preferred Area for quarrying in NYCC’s revised Minerals Local
Plan, and
- it will press ahead
with its application to quarry the nearby Ladybridge Farm:
“Tarmac’s apparent about-turn on Thornborough Moor is
merely a publicity ploy to give objectors the impression that the fight to save
the setting of Thornborough Henges has been won.
“People need to remember that
the area of the present quarry, where so much buried archaeology has been
destroyed, was not designated in the Minerals Local Plan ~ but that did
not stop the county council granting permission for quarrying in 1995. There is
still nothing to prevent Tarmac, at a time of its own choosing, submitting an
application to mine Thornborough Moor, where there is twice as much sand and
gravel as at Ladybridge Farm.
“The only effective way to
protect this national treasure for future generations is for it to be taken into
public guardianship. For Thornborough Moor to remain in the ownership of a
mining company is tantamount to leaving the fox in charge of the hen-house!
“Tarmac has carefully avoided
mentioning that Ladybridge Farm is also included in the area of the upcoming
conservation plan study. Just like the Chancellor of the Exchequer, it can
appear to give with one hand while taking away with the other ~ and still come
back later for more!
“If Tarmac’s management is
really as concerned as Mr Moore claims about the views of the public, then it
should also withdraw the Ladybridge Farm application. They are well aware that
it has prompted over 700 written objections from all over the world ~ even
before our petitions, which contain thousands of signatures, have been
submitted.
“It is about time that the
Anglo-American Corporation acted in the national interest and stopped destroying
this irreplaceable prehistoric landscape. It should instruct Tarmac to turn its
attentions to opening a replacement for Nosterfield Quarry in a location already
designated by the county council.”
END
Note for Editors:
The Friends of Thornborough is a voluntary group dedicated to saving for the nation
the surviving setting of the Thornborough Henges Complex near Ripon in
Yorkshire. People can join our campaign by contacting
info@friendsofthornborough.org.uk
For further information on this press release,
contact our Publicity Officer on 01609-777480 or Jon Lowry on 07947-690089
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