Come down and tell the Planning Inspectorate to throw out plans for the water bottling factory at Cowdale Quarry near Buxton once and for all – at the Public Inquiry starting next Tuesday 19 June!
We will be there, and passionately arguing against these plans for an enormous bottling plant in the middle of beautiful countryside on the edge of the National Park. It would be great if as many people as possible turn up to show their support, and tell the Planning Inspectorate how important Cowdale is to them. We have high hopes that compelling evidence combined with a show of local strength will get this appeal rejected.
The Planning Inspectorate will hear evidence and then make a decision whether to accept or reject an appeal from developers to build the ten-hectare water bottling plant and distribution site on the greenfield site.
Express Park Buxton submitted plans to build the factory in early 2010 and again in 2011. Local residents and campaigners including charity Friends of the Peak District fought both applications. High Peak Borough Council unanimously rejected them because they would be “unsustainable” and “harmful to character and visual appearance of the countryside and special landscape area.” The Council also had concerns about the impact the building would have on the National Park.
Developers then appealed to the Government’s Planning Inspectorate against High Peak’s decision on the second application, resulting in the Public Inquiry next week.
The Public Inquiry will hear evidence from a range of people including local residents, parish councils, High Peak Borough Council, the developers, and campaigners including our own John King. It is expected to last for about seven days.
Anyone can attend a Public Inquiry. If you wish to speak, then you must arrive at 10am on Tuesday 19 June to inform the Inspector who will then arrange a timeslot.
The Public Inquiry is at the Palace Hotel, Palace Road, Buxton SK17 6AG.
We are ready for this Public Inquiry. It will give the opportunity for a really thorough examination of the scheme. We want to see it kicked out, and Cowdale saved once and for all!