VICTORY AT LEDSTON!

[Brunel]

Opencast mine appeal rejected It was a short, simple letter that came through my letter box. Dated 15th November 2010, and headed “PLANNING APPEAL BY BANKS DEVELOPMENT LTD LAND TO THE NORTH OF NEWTON LANE AND TO THE EAST AND WEST OF BACK NEWTON LANE, LEDSHAM, LEEDS’, it said “I am writing to advise you that following the public inquiry which opened on 18 May 2010, the Secretary of state has now made a decision on the above planning case. He has decided that planning permission should be refused.” So, a nice bit of magnesian limestone countryside close to Ledston, Ledsham, and Fairburn Ings will remain as it is, and not be torn up for an opencast coal mine and then re-constituted. Local people, and walkers from nearby Castleford, Pontefract, Wakefield, Leeds and further afield will still be able to enjoy its popular paths, and attractive views. That’s really good news. The Ramblers’ Association was not one of the major players in the campaign of opposition to the proposed opencast coal site. The major protagonists were RAGE (Residents Against Greenbelt Encroachment) and they did a magnificent job. However, the Ramblers’ Association played its part by making a statement to the public inquiry, working with the CPRE, and contributing to RAGE’s legal fund. The public inquiry inspector, Ava Wood, commented in her report that the development would be “inappropriate in green belt due to its failure to meet restoration standards.” She also said that “The openness of the green belt would be affected ... Not in the sense of introducing development on the land, but by the loss of the open feel on this part of the countryside.” We all agree. KW

[raveydavey]

Fantastic news - there is a great walk of around 6 miles around Fairburn, Ledsham and Ledston that we really enjoy doing and the fact we'll be able to continue to enjoy the rolling scenery is a boost on a chilly day like today. The planned opencast would have been right up to the current public footpath.I've posted some pics here from a previous walk: http://snipurl.com/1ooe45    

[cnosni]

Great News!!

[Leodian]

raveydavey wrote: Fantastic news - there is a great walk of around 6 miles around Fairburn, Ledsham and Ledston that we really enjoy doing and the fact we'll be able to continue to enjoy the rolling scenery is a boost on a chilly day like today. The planned opencast would have been right up to the current public footpath.I've posted some pics here from a previous walk: http://snipurl.com/1ooe45     Nice photos raveydavey. It looked to be a good day for a walk. I've not been around Ledsham way for a few years now. When driving there I used to not look forward to the sharp narrow blind bend on the road in Ledsham that used to lead to and from the A1 and another road!