Megalithic Mysteries
Home Page
Peak District circle in danger
Megalithic Mysteries
Home Page
Stoney Littleton Long Barrow to re-open
Nine Ladies in quarrying threat
Stone Circle may end up in supermarket car park
Millennium
Monstrosity
at Mayburgh Henge
Nine Ladies and the surrounding Stanton Moor is a popular and important ancient landscape threatened by quarrying
July 2000: We're still waiting in suspense... the legal process is taking its course.
April 2000: English Heritage act to ease visitor pressure at Nine Ladies
November 1999: The story so far, as told by Ahmed of the Nine Ladies Campaign...
STANTON MOOR HILLSIDE NEEDS YOUR HELP If you care about the future of the Peak District National Park and the local landscape - please read on....
There is currently an application (NP/DDD/0299/082) to re-open two dormant quarries (Endcliffe and Lees Cross) on the hillside below Stanton Moor. The quarries will cover about 30 acres and would have a huge impact on the hillside, with plans to quarry for the next 40 years. To try and protect the hillside we need to encourage the Peak Park to use its powers under the 1995 Environment Act to the full, and request the Secretary of State for the Environment to "call in" the application for determination.
Some of the problems with the proposals are:
- Further degradation of the hillside & setting of the Nine Ladies Stone Circle and Stanton Moor
- The old 1952 consent is wholly inappropriate today and runs contrary to Peak Park policies
- Dangers of quarrying on a geological landslip
- Threat to the local water table including a spring supplying local residents
- Dangerous lorry traffic and access to and from the sites
- Decimation of wildlife habitats including badger setts, bat roosts, and rare plants such as heath cud-weed
- Noise and dust pollution
- Effect on visitors and tourism
STANCLIFFE STONE Ltd purchased the lease on the site from the estate of Haddon Hall. At the time of purchase there was an existing planning permission to re-open the two quarries at Endcliffe and Lees Cross, which had lain dormant since the early 1950's. This permission was granted before the Peak District National Park was founded, and would be entirely inappropriate for today. However, the planning authority seem content to accept the application.
If this scheme goes ahead it will not only destroy a part of the world's second most popular National Park (the most popular is in Japan) including a Grade II Listed building (the Earl Grey Tower, a monument erected to commemorate the passing of the 1832 Reform Act) and threaten a sacred site, the Nine Ladies Stone Circle and the rich archaeological landscape of Stanton Moor. The local residents have formed an action committee, Stanton Lees Action Group (SLAG).
Please send a letter supporting our campaign:
- Mr J Anfield, Head of Planning, PDNPA, Aldern House, Baslow Road, Bakewell DE45 1AE objecting to the application. Remember to quote reference NP/DDD/0299/082.
- The Secretary of State for the Environment and Transport, DETR, Eland House, Bressenden Place, London SW1E 5DU requesting that the Endcliffe and Lees Cross applications be "called in" and stressing that this is a national issue affecting a National Park. Or try David Moir, Minerals and Waste Planning Division. You can also see if your MP has an e-mail address.
- Mr J Margesson, Estate Office, Haddon Hall, Bakewell requesting that the Estate reconsider the lease on Endcliffe and Lees Cross quarries.
Peak District National Park Authority | E-Mail | List of members | Planning Policy
More informations on old mineral permissions
COMMENT! Read visitors' comments on this page, and leave your own.
Visit the Nine Ladies campaign web site for more details
More about Nine Ladies and Stanton Moor
View the area on the Megalith Map (look for Stanton Moor group SK238628)
English Heritage act to ease visitor pressure at Nine Ladies
| The increasing problem of damage to
ancient sites If you plan to visit any of the sites featured here and leave offerings or anything else please read this If you spot any damage please report it here (offsite links to Sam Fleming's web site) Read the Charter of Responsible Megalithic Webmasters |
| MEGALITHIC MYSTERIES | MAP VIEW | SEARCH | CONTENTS | WHAT'S NEW | CREDITS |
Site authored by:
Andy BurnhamEnglish Heritage press release: 17 March 2000
NINE LADIES BRONZE AGE STONE CIRCLE AT RISK FROM VISITOR PRESSURE
English Heritage Launches Campaign To Protect Nationally Important Derbyshire Monument
English Heritage today announced that it has commissioned a vital archaeological study of Nine Ladies Stone Circle in the Peak District National Park so that the rapidly deteriorating condition of this nationally important Bronze Age Stone Circle can be assessed. A local public meeting will be held to allow us to explain our proposals.
Each year around 40,000 people visit the circa 4000 year old Stone Circle which is causing a rapid increase in erosion of this fragile site. Recent soil erosion has revealed evidence of a tenth stone and today approximately 20cm is exposed. Damage has also been caused by visitors digging holes for campfires and even chipping off pieces of stone as souvenirs.
Jon Humble, English Heritage's Inspector of Ancient Monuments for the East Midlands said: "Nine Ladies Stone Circle, the most evocative and well known of the many monuments on Stanton Moor, is a site of beauty and tranquillity for visitors, from near and far, and to many who believe the Stone Circle is of special spiritual significance. It is this popularity that has significantly accelerated the processes of decay. We must act quickly if we are to protect this mysterious and ancient site for future generations.
"Rather like investigative surgery, we will examine a small sample of the site to establish the extent and condition of the archaeological remains. Great care will be taken to ensure that intervention is kept to the minimum necessary to get the information we need. Less than 10% of the site will be opened up and the soil removed will be less than the amount lost in the last 20 years alone as a result of erosion.
"The findings from the study will contribute to the preparation of a Conservation Plan for the Stone Circle balancing its archaeological, ecological, landscape and aesthetic needs with the needs of its visitors today and in future generations. As part of a public information campaign a guide will be based at Nine Ladies during the study to explain the work to visitors. Interpretation panels will explain the Stones' archaeology and outline conservation guidelines which will help safeguard the monument."
A specially commissioned leaflet `Nine Ladies Stone Circle and Stanton Moor' explaining plans for the site has been sent to all local residents of the nearby villages Stanton-in-Peak, Stanton Lees and Birchover. A public meeting is being held at Stanton-in-Peak Village Hall on Monday 3 April, and will be attended by representatives from English Heritage and the Peak District National Park Authority who manage the privately-owned site under a Local Management Agreement on behalf of English Heritage.
Rod Giddins, English Heritage's Regional Director for the East Midlands said: "It is important that we explain our plans for tackling the serious erosion of ancient site. By working closely together with all the interested parties we can protect the Stone Circle for the enjoyment of future generations."
The archaeological evaluation will take place in May and last for four-five weeks. The work is being carried out by Trent & Peak Archaeological Unit on behalf of English Heritage and the Peak District National Park Authority.
For a copy of the free leaflet `Nine Ladies Stone Circle and Stanton Moor' please call: 01604 730320
New on
this website
Photo guide to England