RIBBLEHEAD Quarry is to handed over to English Nature in a move that will protect the limestone area from extraction for prosperity.
The quarry, owned by Hanson Aggregates, which operates Ingleton, Horton-in-Ribblesdale and Giggleswick Quarries, has not been worked for some 30 to 40 years and two years ago the company agreed to give up its mineral extraction rights to the site.
Now it is transferring ownership to English Nature with October 13 the handover day.
"This includes not only the quarry itself, but a significant high quality limestone pavement area which was within the planning permission for extraction. We would have been very upset if this had ever been worked," said Dr Peter Welsh, of English Nature.
A management plan will be put into place which will allow natural vegetation on the site to recover plus some light grazing in co-operation with local farmers.
The quarry bottom is already home to the nationally scarce bird's eye primrose, which is found only in the Yorkshire Dales, and a range of orchid species.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article