Applying for planning permission from the local authority can be one of the most stressful things that you can do. Most people would not even bother is they realised the application was contrary to council policy, especially if in addition, English Heritage had said the development would have an unacceptable impact on a nationally important heritage site.

But not Tarmac Northern Ltd, whos planning application for a gravel quarry at Ladybridge Farm is currently under review by North Yorkshire County Council.

The proposed quarry site sits within one of Britain’s largest and most important ancient sites – the Thornborough Henges ancient monument complex, a place that English Heritage describe as the most important ancient site between Stonehenge and the Orkneys.

The application fails at least four council planning policies;

· The application will cause North Yorkshire to overproduce sand and gravel – seriously impacting the sustainability North Yorkshires gravel industry.

· The application is not in an area allocated by the council for gravel quarrying – a serious breach in council policy.

· The application will cause the loss of good quality arable land – vital for the sustainability of Britain’s farming industry.

· Perhaps most importantly, the application will cause the destruction of nationally important archaeology.

But these “issues” have not prevented Tarmac from applying for permission to quarry the site and the company remains bullish about its chances of winning.

So how do Tarmac intend to push their application through? Simple, they will simply tell English Heritage and North Yorkshire County council that they are wrong!

The company has asked for four months delay in the planning application in order that they can “give time to discuss the archaeological aspects with English Heritage in more detail and hopefully reach an informed decision” In other words, they intend to get EH to reverse its judgement.

“Surely Tarmac have no chance of succeeding” you might ask. But remember, this company is part of the worlds largest mining corporation – Anglo American Plc – A company with £20bn in the bank for a rainy day, they have massive lobbying power with the UK government and its chairman is the spokesperson for G8.

So will EH get a midnight call from the powers that be? We shall have to wait and see…

Would you like to know more about Thornborough?

Take a look at www.timewatch.org, or www.friendsofthornborough.org.uk