THE announcement this week that quarry companies will be giving up their rights to open new sites in the Dales will cheer those who love our beautiful scenery.

The Yorkshire Dales National Park can take considerable satisfaction in its "softly softly" policy over the last few years which has sought compromise and persuasion in order to achieve a negotiated end to quarrying in the Dales.

The threat of a new quarry opening up at Ribblehead, right in the heart of the famous Three Peaks and potentially bigger than the existing Swinden Quarry at Cracoe, was a horrendous prospect for such a treasured tourist attraction. ARC, which had the licence to extract minerals, would have been entitled to start at Ribblehead whenever it needed to.

Of course, there would have been a huge outcry, a vigorous campaign of protest and widespread condemnation. Perhaps ARC did not want the bother. But let us give credit where it is due, they have responded to the gentle pressure and persuasion and given up, without a fight or demand for compensation, the right to quarry.

The pragmatic approach was evident in the negotiations with Tilcon over Swinden three years ago. A consent to continue quarrying until the year 2020 was agreed by the national park. Roundly condemned by some, dare we say, London-based organisations, the authority recognised both the long standing quarrying heritage in this area and the very real need for jobs in an area where the decline of traditional sources of employment is a regular subject of discussion.

As a result Craven will inherit in 22 years a nature reserve, the largest expanse of water in the Dales apart from Grimwith Reservoir and a trust fund to manage the site for the enjoyment of all.

That landmark agreement showed that local authorities were prepared to help the quarry companies and set a trend for negotiated settlement. In return the quarry companies demonstrated their recognition of environmental responsibilities and willingness to enhance rather than desecrate the locality in which they worked.

This week's news heralds the end of quarrying in the Dales. But it will be a phased withdrawal with thought given to restoration rather than a scorched earth retreat leaving the ugly scars of battle.

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