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MINERAL EXTRACTION
There are 10 main quarries and several mines within the Peak District National Park, most of which have been operating since before the National Park was formed. There is also a fluorspar processing plant at Cavendish Mill and the Blue Circle cement works at Hope.
Limestone Quarrying
This is the biggest mineral industry with an output of over 6 million tonnes (6.1 m tonnes in 1993). The largest quarries are Tunstead / Old Moor (owned by Buxton Lime Industries Ltd), a subsidiary of Minorco (formerly owned by ICI): Ballidon (owned by Tilcon) and Topley Pike (owned by Tarmac).
Much Derbyshire limestone is very pure (high in calcium carbonate). It can be argued that its use for road building is an extravagant use of a valuable and rare asset.
Limestone from within the Peak Park is used as follows:
| Aggregates for roads, concrete etc | 56% |
| Cement | 23% |
| Other chemical uses | 17% |
| Iron and Steel | 4% |
| Agriculture | 0.2% |
Gritstone
Gritstone is quarried on Stanton Moor and at Stoke Hall, Grindleford. It is used mainly in building.
Fluospar
Veins of minerals which occur in Carboniferous Limestone are made up of galena (lead ore), fluorspar, barytes and calcite. Fluorspar is now the most important of these minerals and about 70% of the UK production of fluorspar comes from within the Peak District National Park. It is extracted from lead mine spoilheaps or by underground or opencast mining. The main underground mine is Milldam Mine at Great Hucklow, with further underground mining on Longstone Edge and opencast mining on Bradwell moor.
Laportes process about 400,000 tonnes of ore annually at the Cavendish Mill plant to produce about 80,000 tonnes of acid grade (high quality) fluorspar. In fact 98% of fluorspar of this quality comes from the Peak Park.
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About 8% of the Peak Park is woodland of 3 main types:
- Conifer plantations in shale-grit valleys, often around reservoirs.
- Small plantations or spinnies on enclosed farmland, usually broadleaved or mixed.
- Semi-natural woodland on limestone dales, higher gritstone valleys and moorland fringes.
The Park Authority manages 4.7% of woodland in 100 blocks and is also involved in encouraging others to manage their woodland.
MILITARY USE
The National Park Authority had to accept use of parts of Warslow Moors Estate and Eastern Moors Estate (Totley Rifle Range) for military training when they were acquired. An agreement with the Ministry of Defence limits damage. Wilder areas are used by the army for adventure training. Ramshaw Rocks, the Roaches, Stanage and Birchen Edge (all owned by the Peak Park) are used for climbing instruction under license arrangements. Low flying training takes place over the Park.
LAND USE AND CONSERVATION
All land uses have impact on the landscape - many apparently natural areas of the Park are in fact a product of human activity. One of the Peak Park Authority’s duties is to protect the distinctive natural beauty of the landscape.
English Nature has designated 30% of the Park as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). In these areas, managers must consult English Nature before making any changes which would adversely affect the conservation interest. The Derbyshire Dales National Nature Reserve includes parts of 5 limestone dales and is managed by English Nature. County Wildlife Trusts manage reserves totalling 300 hectares. Management of valuable landscapes is essential to limit damaging land use and maintain their conservation value.
PLANNING CONTROL
Most building work and changes inland use (except for those connected with agriculture and forestry) is subject to planning control by the National Park Authority.
Policies aim to restrict new building to what is essential. New buildings must be in keeping with the landscape so that the natural beauty of the Peak District National park can be conserved.
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