Save Portland Coastal Strip
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Article which appeared in 'The Portland News', June 2007
| A Ticking Time Bomb on Portland |
| The quarrying company, Stone Firms Ltd, is currently directing its attention towards the coastal strip between Southwell and Portland Bill. It has lodged extensive plans with Dorset County Council to quarry in this area. According to Stone Firms land agent, Mr Tim Clotworthy, "quarrying could start tomorrow." He also told a Southwell resident that her "view will be totally devastated". But of course it's not just her view; it's everyone's view. And it may be far more than the view that's devastated. Many local people believe that the coastal strip is a protected environment. Sadly this is not the case. Quarrying rights were granted back in 1951, when there was much less awareness of the need to protect the environment. The result is that 56 year old quarrying rights override many environmental restrictions such as Sites of Scientific interest (SSSI) status, which applies to part of this coastline. As we all know, stone has been quarried on Portland for hundreds of years and has traditionally been of economic importance to the island. However increasing mechanisation has meant that the work force has declined significantly. Meanwhile the center of Portland has been ravaged by stone extraction; in many places restoration seems conspicuous by its absence. Trashing the natural beauty of the island would be a terrible and costly mistake. The peace and tranquility that we cherish will be replaced by incessant noise. Rare flora and fauna will be obliterated. An industrial wasteland will depress tourism; and it will also depress property values. If you care about Portlands future, please help. Don't think that this can't happen. Unless we protest, it will happen. A time bomb is ticking. It's up to all of us to stop it. Southwell Action Team (S.A.T) For further information please email: mimariposa@hotmail.co.uk or contact the Portland News on 01305 821151 |
Articles that have appeared in the 'Weymouth Echo'
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Echo Article Dated 14th July 2008
Transcript below
| Quarry firm must provide statement |
| WE NOTE with interest, the article "Quarrying plans for coastal strip" (Echo, July 7) regarding proposed quarrying of Portland's "coastal strip", from Southwell village to Portland Bill. Former Dorset County Council planning chief Andrew Price refers to "paying compensation from council tax." Our understanding is that only central government has deep enough pockets to pay the amount of compensation that Stone Firms (despite Tim Clotworthy's protestations of innocence!) are in the process of seeking. Central government has recently updated the law on Review of Old Mineral Permissions (Romp) including existing permissions. This more stringent law comes into force on July 22. Stone Firms is required to provide a comprehensive environmental statement. Our understanding is that, to date, they have not done so. Portland’s coastal strip is a unique area of ecological and archaeological importance, vital to tourism. For the past year, Southwell Action Team (Sat) has been campaigning to stop it from being devastated. We have helped to make the National Trust aware of the problem and they are currently in negotiation with Stone Firms regarding purchase of the land to safeguard it for the future generations. We are a non-political organisation, with supporters not only from Portland but also from all over the UK. Our website, www.saveportlandcoastalstrip.org.uk, gives details of the ongoing struggle. MICHELE IRELAND Southwell Action Team |
Portland News Article - August 2008
| The Ticking Time Bomb - July Update |
| At a public meeting, held at Easton Methodist Church Hall on July 15th, we heard yet again from Mr Tim Clotworthy of Stone Firms Ltd that quarrying of the coastal strip was due to start. For over a year now, we have been waiting with apprehension for the rumble of lorries and heavy machinery through Southwell village. At this meeting, Mr Clotworthy stated that Stone Firms “can start quarrying this summer”. Under the terms of the old planning permissions, in principle Stone Firms can quarry. In practice, at present, they cannot gain legal access either to or from such “quarrying”. Thus, on closer examination, Mr Clotworthy’s bold claim has a distinctly hollow ring to it. On July 22nd additional regulations came into force which mean that, to comply, Stone Firms, must complete an environmental statement. To date, they have failed to do so. They now have a few months to comply with the new legislation. We understand that, at a Planning committee meeting on September 5th, a report will be submitted to Dorset Country Council on the Habitats Regulations review of Portland. The outcome of this may be that further constraints are introduced regarding access. Southwell Action Team (SAT) continues to oppose the wanton destruction of Portland’s precious environment. In early August, there will be a meeting of leaders of local protest groups to elect a Portland Alliance to stop quarrying of the coastal strip. Later in August, there will be a public meeting, which we hope will be well supported. The date is yet to be arranged. Southwell Action Team |
Portland News Article - October 2008
| Portland Wide Alliance to Stop Quarrying the Coastal Strip |
| On 12th August 2008, Councillor Richard Denton-White convened a meeting at Whitestones Café to discuss a Portland Wide Alliance to stop quarrying of the coastal strip between Southwell and Portland Bill. Present at this meeting were Helen Mann, of the NT (National Trust), Richard Nicholls of CPRE (Council for the Protection of Rural England), Gillian Phillips of PCP (Portland Community Partnership), six Councillors, three members of SAT (Southwell Action Team) and two members of the Dolmen Grove (a local group also devoted to stopping the quarrying.) In last month’s issue of the Free Portland News, Mr Denton-White published a colourful account of this meeting, in which, for instance, the three members of SAT became ‘a large contingent’. A more accurate account is that, after appropriate discussion, SAT was asked to head a Portland wide campaign. This fully supported decision was taken for two reasons: 1. SAT has already been campaigning for the last 15 months. 2. In this time, sound working relationships have been established with the NT, CPRE, PCP, Dorset County Council and the Dolmen Grove. On the advice of CPRE, some months ago, SAT formalised their group by democratically electing a committee. At the Whitestones meeting, it was felt that to elect another committee on top of the existing committee was one committee too many. As somebody said, “There’s no point reinventing the wheel.” SAT is helped by people from all over the island (thanks!) and is working for the greater good of Portland. We’re all in this together! |
| Recent Legal Developments |
| At a planning meeting on 5th September, Dorset County Council authorised the making of an Order, which will put restrictions on part of the proposed quarry areas. The purpose of this Order is to provide additional protection to the cliff edge of the Coastal Strip, which is a Special Area of Conservation. As a consequence of these restrictions, access to the adjoining quarry areas may be restricted and SFL (Stone Firms Ltd) may have to submit plans for alternative access routes. A further consequence might be that SFL consider that the Order would make quarrying uneconomic and so would continue to seek compensation. This is good news for the campaign, but there is still the question of how much compensation will be sought and who would pay it. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), may pay compensation but only related to the Special Area of Conservation. |
| Progress Towards National Trust Acquisition of the Coastal Strip |
| Whatever the legal situation, the best long-term solution would undoubtedly be for the National Trust to acquire this land so that it can be preserved forever. The National Trust has vast experience of sensitively managing such areas. As with any other organisation, the National Trust has to justify its use of funds. It needs evidence that Portlanders (yes, even Kimberlins!) are in favour of them acquiring the land. Evidence boils down to letters to Helen Mann, the relevant property manager. About a month ago, she had received only 111 letters – less than 1% of the population. The Free Portland Press kindly enclosed our sample letter (saves you time writing your own) in last month’s issue. The Cricket Club also kindly allowed us a stand at their recent fete. And many of us have been going around knocking on doors. To date, over 600 completed letters of support have been sent to Helen Mann. This is a 500% improvement! But it’s still only about 5% of the Portland population. Let’s take it to 10%! We need to translate the widespread depth of feeling against the quarrying into action. Your letter matters just as much as anybody else’s. If you’ve already sent it, then thanks. But, if you haven’t, then please do so. (You can download a copy of the NT letter from our web site) |
| www.saveportlandcoastalstrip.org.uk Southwell Action Team Working for Portland… |
National Trust Sample Letter
Use this template to send your support to the National Trust
(click the icon below to save the template to your computer)
Address your letters to:
Mrs Helen Mann
Property Manager, West Dorset
The National Trust
The Court
Charmouth
Dorset
DT6 6PE
Article Published in the Daily Telegraph - December 2008
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Article Published in the Dorset Echo - January 2009
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Article Published in 'The Times' - January 2009
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Article Published in the Dorset Echo - February 2009
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March 2009
| How Much Compensation - And Who Will Pay? |
| Some of you will have already seen the notices in Southwell village and on the coastal path, giving details of the modification order which Dorset County Council has now served on Stone Firms Ltd. This order was fast-tracked by the Council because Stone Firms Ltd threatened to start quarrying by 20th February. The modification order gives further protection to the cliff edge, which is a special area of conservation (SAC). It stops commercial activity within this SAC and in certain adjoining areas. Significantly, it limits the access to the proposed Phase 1 quarrying near Southwell village. Clearly Stone Firms now have a choice. They can either attempt to start quarrying (but will need to seek permission for new access routes) or they can continue to seek compensation. If they choose the compensation route - which we hope they will - they have a year to submit their claim. The big questions, of course, are these: how much compensation will they ask for – what is the true value of the site - and who will pay? We understand that the National Trust is still interested in purchasing the land, but probably for its agricultural value only. It is likely that loss of mineral value would have to be funded separately – probably by central government. It is worth noting that, on Portland, there are widely different views as to what the mineral value is worth! However, let us hope that the compensation route is followed, that it comes to a mutually agreeable conclusion and that this invaluable piece of our heritage is preserved forever. |
| Southwell Action Team (SAT) “Working for Portland…” |
June 2009
Response to the ePetition from 10 Downing Street
| Friday 5 June 2009 |
| Portland - epetition response |
| We received a petition asking: |
| “We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to prevent the imminent quarrying of the Jurassic coast of Portland, from Southwell Village to Portland Bill.” |
| Details of Petition: |
| “Portland is part of the beautiful, world famous Jurassic coast and also the home of Portland stone. Portland stone has been used in some of the most eminent buildings in the land. Less well known is the terrible cost in lives and environmental damage that Portland has suffered due to stone extraction. Recently a quarry firm bought mineral rights to quarry the coast from Southwell Village to Portland Bill. These rights date back to 1951 when controls were minimal. They override environmental restrictions such as SSSI status. Quarrying is expected to start in the next two months. Trashing the remaining natural beauty of the island would be a terrible, costly mistake. Peace and tranquility will be replaced by blasting. Rare habitats will be obliterated. Important archaeological sites will be destroyed. The resulting industrial wasteland will savagely depress tourism. We must act now to prevent this coast being destroyed forever.” |
| • Read the petition |
| • Petitions homepage |
| Read the Government’s response |
| The Government recognises the environmental issues relating to old mineral permissions, taking into account that mineral extraction can only take place where minerals are found to exist. However, mineral extraction can last for many years, so it is important that conditions of working the site, and the level of restoration that is required, are subject to regular review. Such reviews are carried out by the mineral planning authority and ensure that conditions reflect modern environmental standards. It is not Government policy to revoke extant mineral permissions. However, should conditions imposed as part of a review restrict working rights on mineral sites such as to unreasonably prejudice the economic viability of operating the site or the site’s asset value, compensation is payable to the operator. Some extant mineral permissions affect a Special Protection Area or a Special Area of Conservation, as is the case in this instance. In such instances the mineral planning authority must review the permission and can only affirm the permission if it appears that it will not adversely affect the integrity of the site, or, in the absence of alternatives, where there is an overriding public interest. If the adverse effects cannot be overcome or there is no overriding public interest, it must consider revoking or modifying the planning permission |