Thornborough: Stonehenge Of The North!?
- Thread starter gyrtrash
- Start date
Not yet, but Dr Jan Harding has issued a press release confirming that his research has proven relationships with Orion and Sirius. In addition, it is my understanding the Dr Clive Ruggles is the person championing Thornborough with the RAS.
Did I mention the planning application has been rejected? However, Tarmac are totally determined to quarry as much of the area as they can, they have completely rejected EH's assertion that the Neolithic archaeology on Ladybridge is of national importance and are throwing accusations all over the shop.
Did I mention the planning application has been rejected? However, Tarmac are totally determined to quarry as much of the area as they can, they have completely rejected EH's assertion that the Neolithic archaeology on Ladybridge is of national importance and are throwing accusations all over the shop.
Also, there is to be another Thornborough festival - www.thornborough.org (not much content yet).
Firm to challenge quarry ruling
A QUARRY company yesterday confirmed it is to challenge the rejection of controversial plans to extract sand and gravel from land close to a 5,000-year-old monument site.
Tarmac Northern employs 15 full-time workers at Nosterfield quarry, between Bedale and Ripon, in North Yorkshire, where supplies are expected to be exhausted within the next two years.
It sought planning consent to extract 2.2m tonnes over four years from 112 acres at nearby Ladybridge Farm, half a mile from the nearest of three Neolithic earthwork henges outside the village of Thornborough.
The henges have been described as the Stonehenge of the North.
The site represents a scheduled ancient monument with legal protection, but campaigners who bombarded North Yorkshire County Council with protests insisted that its immediate surroundings, including Ladybridge, must be saved from the effects of more quarrying.
In February, the application was rejected by six votes to three by the county council's planning committee.
Tarmac, which warned that the decision could lead to job losses, said yesterday it will appeal and seek a public inquiry, but a spokesman indicated that this was still not the end of the story.
Bob Nicholson, Tarmac estates manager for the area, said: "We are anxious to safeguard employment and maintain supply from the quarry to the construction industry.
"We are also discussing the possibility of a revised application for a smaller extraction area at Ladybridge, avoiding areas which were the subject of archaeological concern.
"Nosterfield is recognised as being a well-run quarry, close to the A1 for transport purposes, with a good record of co-operating with the community and with the various archaelogical, environmental and wildlife protection agencies.
We hope to achieve a fair balance taking account of all interests, including continuity of employment and supply of construction materials."
Alwyn Shaw, head of minerals at the county council, said no revised planning application had been received.
link
stu edit - big link sorted
A QUARRY company yesterday confirmed it is to challenge the rejection of controversial plans to extract sand and gravel from land close to a 5,000-year-old monument site.
Tarmac Northern employs 15 full-time workers at Nosterfield quarry, between Bedale and Ripon, in North Yorkshire, where supplies are expected to be exhausted within the next two years.
It sought planning consent to extract 2.2m tonnes over four years from 112 acres at nearby Ladybridge Farm, half a mile from the nearest of three Neolithic earthwork henges outside the village of Thornborough.
The henges have been described as the Stonehenge of the North.
The site represents a scheduled ancient monument with legal protection, but campaigners who bombarded North Yorkshire County Council with protests insisted that its immediate surroundings, including Ladybridge, must be saved from the effects of more quarrying.
In February, the application was rejected by six votes to three by the county council's planning committee.
Tarmac, which warned that the decision could lead to job losses, said yesterday it will appeal and seek a public inquiry, but a spokesman indicated that this was still not the end of the story.
Bob Nicholson, Tarmac estates manager for the area, said: "We are anxious to safeguard employment and maintain supply from the quarry to the construction industry.
"We are also discussing the possibility of a revised application for a smaller extraction area at Ladybridge, avoiding areas which were the subject of archaeological concern.
"Nosterfield is recognised as being a well-run quarry, close to the A1 for transport purposes, with a good record of co-operating with the community and with the various archaelogical, environmental and wildlife protection agencies.
We hope to achieve a fair balance taking account of all interests, including continuity of employment and supply of construction materials."
Alwyn Shaw, head of minerals at the county council, said no revised planning application had been received.
link
stu edit - big link sorted
Revised plan submitted for controversial quarry
By Brian Redhead
QUARRY company Tarmac has submitted a revised planning application for sand and gravel extraction at a controversial site in North Yorkshire.
Local campaigners, concerned about the potential effect on archaeological remains, are opposing the plans for land at Ladybridge Farm, near the Thornborough henges ancient monument site between Bedale and Ripon.
Tarmac believed the development would safeguard the livelihoods of workers and hauliers at the nearby Nosterfield quarry, where supplies will soon be exhausted.
continued...
The company's first application for Ladybridge was rejected by
county councillors in February, but Tarmac has now submitted a new application which eliminates a contentious area of the site.
It reduces the proposed area of extraction from 45 to 31 hectares
and avoids the south western section of Ladybridge to address concerns raised in February by the county council and English Heritage about its archaeological value.
Tarmac estates manager Bob Nicholson said: ''We believe this revised application serves to demonstrate that we understand the concerns of the community, the county council and English Heritage.''
source
edited by TheQuixote: fixed big link
By Brian Redhead
QUARRY company Tarmac has submitted a revised planning application for sand and gravel extraction at a controversial site in North Yorkshire.
Local campaigners, concerned about the potential effect on archaeological remains, are opposing the plans for land at Ladybridge Farm, near the Thornborough henges ancient monument site between Bedale and Ripon.
Tarmac believed the development would safeguard the livelihoods of workers and hauliers at the nearby Nosterfield quarry, where supplies will soon be exhausted.
continued...
The company's first application for Ladybridge was rejected by
county councillors in February, but Tarmac has now submitted a new application which eliminates a contentious area of the site.
It reduces the proposed area of extraction from 45 to 31 hectares
and avoids the south western section of Ladybridge to address concerns raised in February by the county council and English Heritage about its archaeological value.
Tarmac estates manager Bob Nicholson said: ''We believe this revised application serves to demonstrate that we understand the concerns of the community, the county council and English Heritage.''
source
edited by TheQuixote: fixed big link
Heritage Journal - Thornborough
Tarmac have shrugged off the bloody nose they received when their
obnoxious application to quarry away the archaeology of the
Thornborough Complex was refused and are having another try. All in the spirit of caring for heritage, you understand.
The latest ploy is to ask for a smaller bit of the cake, 31% less, and claim that this - in the words of their quarry manager, Bob Nicholson - "serves to demonstrate that we understand the concerns of the
community, the county council and English Heritage.''
Well, not quite Del Bo..., sorry, Bob. You demonstrated scant
understanding of English Heritage's concerns a few short weeks ago didn't you, when you publicly described what had been found at the target site as an "incredibly small amount of badly damaged archaeology" and "not nationally important"! Or when you badmouthed the whole Thornborough Complex, saying "the truth is, Thornborough is not as famous a Stonehenge and the majority of visitors' reactions are that of serious disappointment"? Or when you scoffed at the idea of it being World Heritage class?
You did know that English Heritage had just said that what was found WAS nationally important? Didn't you? Of course you did Bob. Just as you knew that they have long regarded Thornborough as the most important site between Stonehenge and the Orkneys? And that three of their committee members had just gone up there and "all agreed that the site and wider landscape were of World Heritage class, in the top league of prehistoric landscapes"? Is being wantonly blind, and a philistine to boot "understanding English Heritage's concerns" Bob?
What about when you said English Heritage "don't have a particularly good record on the Thornborough Henges" and went into great detail about how much of the landscape has been destroyed, bit by bit. How did that happen Bob? Was it English Heritage that quarried it away? We do believe it wasn't. What do you believe Bob? Really believe? And what do you think they meant by this, formally written into their minutes - "Members were extremely concerned about the piecemeal approach to what they considered an exceptional landscape and which had resulted in its gradual eating away." Do you believe they were castigating themselves... or someone else? Was it a coded message to you saying "Come on Bob, have another go"? Seriously Bob, do you believe that? Really believe that? And in having another go, do you really believe you're "demonstrating an understanding" of their concerns? Really? No, we mean really?
Finally, what about your recent public musings in which you all but said English Heritage were crooked for using "their professional judgement" rather than your preferred scoring method because "Perhaps EH knew that, if they did score the archaeology, inevitably they too would find that it wasn't nationally important?" That was pretty amazing wasn't it? Suggesting English Heritage are dodgy hypocrites with a set agenda. We doubt that. Thornborough couldn't be THAT unlucky, could it?
Tell you what Del-Bob. If you want to lean over backwards to preserve Thornborough from unnecessary damage, why not lean over backwards, pick up your suitcase and scuttle off somewhere else. And take Wodney with you.
http://www.heritageaction.org/?page=theheritagejournal
Tarmac have shrugged off the bloody nose they received when their
obnoxious application to quarry away the archaeology of the
Thornborough Complex was refused and are having another try. All in the spirit of caring for heritage, you understand.
The latest ploy is to ask for a smaller bit of the cake, 31% less, and claim that this - in the words of their quarry manager, Bob Nicholson - "serves to demonstrate that we understand the concerns of the
community, the county council and English Heritage.''
Well, not quite Del Bo..., sorry, Bob. You demonstrated scant
understanding of English Heritage's concerns a few short weeks ago didn't you, when you publicly described what had been found at the target site as an "incredibly small amount of badly damaged archaeology" and "not nationally important"! Or when you badmouthed the whole Thornborough Complex, saying "the truth is, Thornborough is not as famous a Stonehenge and the majority of visitors' reactions are that of serious disappointment"? Or when you scoffed at the idea of it being World Heritage class?
You did know that English Heritage had just said that what was found WAS nationally important? Didn't you? Of course you did Bob. Just as you knew that they have long regarded Thornborough as the most important site between Stonehenge and the Orkneys? And that three of their committee members had just gone up there and "all agreed that the site and wider landscape were of World Heritage class, in the top league of prehistoric landscapes"? Is being wantonly blind, and a philistine to boot "understanding English Heritage's concerns" Bob?
What about when you said English Heritage "don't have a particularly good record on the Thornborough Henges" and went into great detail about how much of the landscape has been destroyed, bit by bit. How did that happen Bob? Was it English Heritage that quarried it away? We do believe it wasn't. What do you believe Bob? Really believe? And what do you think they meant by this, formally written into their minutes - "Members were extremely concerned about the piecemeal approach to what they considered an exceptional landscape and which had resulted in its gradual eating away." Do you believe they were castigating themselves... or someone else? Was it a coded message to you saying "Come on Bob, have another go"? Seriously Bob, do you believe that? Really believe that? And in having another go, do you really believe you're "demonstrating an understanding" of their concerns? Really? No, we mean really?
Finally, what about your recent public musings in which you all but said English Heritage were crooked for using "their professional judgement" rather than your preferred scoring method because "Perhaps EH knew that, if they did score the archaeology, inevitably they too would find that it wasn't nationally important?" That was pretty amazing wasn't it? Suggesting English Heritage are dodgy hypocrites with a set agenda. We doubt that. Thornborough couldn't be THAT unlucky, could it?
Tell you what Del-Bob. If you want to lean over backwards to preserve Thornborough from unnecessary damage, why not lean over backwards, pick up your suitcase and scuttle off somewhere else. And take Wodney with you.
http://www.heritageaction.org/?page=theheritagejournal
TimeWatch urges the UK Government to protect Thornborough
TIMEWATCH.ORG PRESS RELEASE - 15/08/2006
TimeWatch urges the UK Government to protect Thornborough
Heritage campaign group TimeWatch have urged the UK Government to protect the Thornborough Complex as judgement on Tarmac’s planning appeal draws near.
Despite being hailed as a world-class ancient site, quarry company Tarmac Northern Ltd have been quarrying a significant portion of the ritual landscape of the Thornborough Henges for more than ten years, destroying a great deal of important archaeology in the process.
Following the refusal of a planning application earlier this year, Tarmac have appealed to the secretary of State and it has been announced that the Planning Inspectorate are to hold an enquiry into the matter.
Further comments from the public can be submitted to the Planning inspectorate by going to www.planningportal.gov.uk/pcs and searching for Ladybridge. Comments can be submitted until September 6th 2006.
“This whole thing puts on display a massive and ugly loophole in Britain’s planning system” claimed Thornborough campaign leader George Chaplin “It is time that we ensured such rare and important sites are properly protected – the loss of value to the nations heritage is immense.
This is a very important site and it is time our government acted to protect it for once and for all, otherwise, once this appeal has been rejected, we are all going to be back to square one with another ludicrous application to quarry within the complex”
Whilst all comments already received by the council are being passed to the Planning Inspectorate, TimeWatch are recommending that further comments will be important, especially as the Inspectorate have a wider brief than the Council Planners.
“The evidence provided by the Council Officers failed to adequately consider the true extent of the setting of the monuments on Ladybridge and also the wider setting of the “super” monuments on Thornborough Moor” Said Mr Chaplin
Now is the time to impress on the planning system the importance of recognising this aspect for such a large and important site, one that comprises of a great variety of monuments scattered over several square miles.”
---Ends---
TIMEWATCH.ORG PRESS RELEASE - 15/08/2006
TimeWatch urges the UK Government to protect Thornborough
Heritage campaign group TimeWatch have urged the UK Government to protect the Thornborough Complex as judgement on Tarmac’s planning appeal draws near.
Despite being hailed as a world-class ancient site, quarry company Tarmac Northern Ltd have been quarrying a significant portion of the ritual landscape of the Thornborough Henges for more than ten years, destroying a great deal of important archaeology in the process.
Following the refusal of a planning application earlier this year, Tarmac have appealed to the secretary of State and it has been announced that the Planning Inspectorate are to hold an enquiry into the matter.
Further comments from the public can be submitted to the Planning inspectorate by going to www.planningportal.gov.uk/pcs and searching for Ladybridge. Comments can be submitted until September 6th 2006.
“This whole thing puts on display a massive and ugly loophole in Britain’s planning system” claimed Thornborough campaign leader George Chaplin “It is time that we ensured such rare and important sites are properly protected – the loss of value to the nations heritage is immense.
This is a very important site and it is time our government acted to protect it for once and for all, otherwise, once this appeal has been rejected, we are all going to be back to square one with another ludicrous application to quarry within the complex”
Whilst all comments already received by the council are being passed to the Planning Inspectorate, TimeWatch are recommending that further comments will be important, especially as the Inspectorate have a wider brief than the Council Planners.
“The evidence provided by the Council Officers failed to adequately consider the true extent of the setting of the monuments on Ladybridge and also the wider setting of the “super” monuments on Thornborough Moor” Said Mr Chaplin
Now is the time to impress on the planning system the importance of recognising this aspect for such a large and important site, one that comprises of a great variety of monuments scattered over several square miles.”
---Ends---
Thornborough on utube, its a clip from the tv programe "Seven Ancient Wonders of Britain".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9s3u_LsVoU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9s3u_LsVoU
I'm trying to get a load of us to write to the National Geographic asking them to cover this amazing prehistoric site - after all it is Britain's largest
prehistoric ritual site. Maybe you would consider dropping them a note?
The address for National Geographic is as follows:
Letters to the Editor:
National Geographic Magazine
PO Box 98199
Washington DC
20090-8199
or email: [email protected]
Here is a sample letter, please try and change it to your own words, I'll include some extra bullet points after the letter to help you:
Dear National Geographic,
I have recently found out that Britain's most threatened ancient site, which is also Britain's largest prehistoric ritual site, has yet to be covered by National Geographic.
Thornborough Henges were described recently by English Heritage as "the most important ancient site between Stonehenge and The Orkneys", and a "world class heritage site" and it is therefore a site that will hold great interest for the readership of National Geographic.
In addition, given that there are now TWO quarry companies threatening to quarry Thornborough, and the local authority, North Yorkshire County Council is looking to make the area one preferred for quarrying, I think this is an ideal subject for a National Geographic article given the archaeological and conservation issues raised.
Important/interesting points about Thornborough
1. Thornborough contains Britain's earliest communal ritual structure - its Mesolithic double pit alignment is unique in the world, unfortunately this has been quarried.
2. Thornborough is Britain's lognest lived ancient monument complex; the site was used from the Mesolithic to the end of the Iron Age - more than 4,000 years of continuous use.
3. Thornborough is Britain's largest prehistoric ritual meeting place, it is possibly the largest religious site ever created in Britain.
4. Thornborough's triple henge architecture is very similar to the layout of the Great Pyramids (Orions Belt) and in addition, at least three alignments pointing to Orion have been located by Newcastle University - these alignments predate the pyramids by more than 1,000 years.
5. Thornborough is the central site within a 20 mile monument complex that contains six identical (and huge) henges, plus other cursus, henge and standing stone monuments - each structure being amongst the largest in Britain.
6. Thornborough and the surrouding complex was the location for the largest Neolithic construction project - six identical 240m henges were created in one major building exercise.
7. Thornborough does not just contain three henges, it also has as many as three cursuses (only one is scheduled) and a great many other ritual remains.
prehistoric ritual site. Maybe you would consider dropping them a note?
The address for National Geographic is as follows:
Letters to the Editor:
National Geographic Magazine
PO Box 98199
Washington DC
20090-8199
or email: [email protected]
Here is a sample letter, please try and change it to your own words, I'll include some extra bullet points after the letter to help you:
Dear National Geographic,
I have recently found out that Britain's most threatened ancient site, which is also Britain's largest prehistoric ritual site, has yet to be covered by National Geographic.
Thornborough Henges were described recently by English Heritage as "the most important ancient site between Stonehenge and The Orkneys", and a "world class heritage site" and it is therefore a site that will hold great interest for the readership of National Geographic.
In addition, given that there are now TWO quarry companies threatening to quarry Thornborough, and the local authority, North Yorkshire County Council is looking to make the area one preferred for quarrying, I think this is an ideal subject for a National Geographic article given the archaeological and conservation issues raised.
Important/interesting points about Thornborough
1. Thornborough contains Britain's earliest communal ritual structure - its Mesolithic double pit alignment is unique in the world, unfortunately this has been quarried.
2. Thornborough is Britain's lognest lived ancient monument complex; the site was used from the Mesolithic to the end of the Iron Age - more than 4,000 years of continuous use.
3. Thornborough is Britain's largest prehistoric ritual meeting place, it is possibly the largest religious site ever created in Britain.
4. Thornborough's triple henge architecture is very similar to the layout of the Great Pyramids (Orions Belt) and in addition, at least three alignments pointing to Orion have been located by Newcastle University - these alignments predate the pyramids by more than 1,000 years.
5. Thornborough is the central site within a 20 mile monument complex that contains six identical (and huge) henges, plus other cursus, henge and standing stone monuments - each structure being amongst the largest in Britain.
6. Thornborough and the surrouding complex was the location for the largest Neolithic construction project - six identical 240m henges were created in one major building exercise.
7. Thornborough does not just contain three henges, it also has as many as three cursuses (only one is scheduled) and a great many other ritual remains.
TIMEWATCH.ORG MEDIA STATEMENT – 7 November 2006
Council deadline to seal the fate of Yorkshires “Henge Capital”.
New petition seeks to make councillors act.
Heritage Campaign group TimeWatch today issued a warning that North Yorkshire County Council could seal the fate of Britain’s densest concentration of henges later this month by agreeing to make the area “Preferred” for gravel quarrying.
“Whilst most people expect the major planning decisions to come from planning applications, many do not realise that if this place is made a Preferred Area for Quarrying, then future quarry applications will be pretty much a foregone conclusion, regardless of objections raised at the planning stage” Said TimeWatch Chairman George Chaplin. “For the sake of Yorkshire’s heritage, we must stop this from happening at Thornborough otherwise this extremely important heritage place will see yet more large scale destruction”.
“It may be amongst the most important places in Britain; “a world class heritage site” as far as English Heritage is concerned but To Tarmac it is just another piece of land waiting to be quarried, the archaeology is a simple obstacle, one that can easily be overcome if the area is made Preferred for Quarrying”.
To demonstrate the extent of local feeling, TimeWatch worked with local people to pass round a new petition within Thornborough, Nosterfield, West Tanfield, Well and Kirklington asking for the area not to become a preferred quarry site – 70% of locals have signed it, it was passed to West Tanfield Parish Council earlier in the year, but the council have yet to respond to it. The petition is to be sent to North Yorkshire County Council but looks set to be ignored there as well, as have previous Thornborough petitions.
“Our politicians are keen to have us turn up and vote for them during election time, but try to get them to respond to the will of the people but in Yorkshire that appears to be a very different matter” said Mr Chaplin “Thousands of people have voiced their concern regarding the quarrying of the ancient monument complex at Thornborough, but the situation today is even worse than in the past – the area is still being quarried and now TWO quarry companies wish to expand into Thornborough’s “ritual landscape”. In the meantime our council has decided that the conservation of the area is best left to those that allowed it to get like this in the first place and the campaigners who worked so hard just to get the council to recognise the issue have been all but excluded – this is democracy in North Yorkshire.”
On the 11th of this month the deadline for responses to North Yorkshires proposed Combined Minerals and Waste Plan closes, after which NYCC will decide which areas will become preferred for quarries. Four out of Hambledon’s seven quarry proposals sit within the Thornborough landscape. Responses should be sent to the Senior Minerals and Waste Policy Officer, North Yorkshire County Council, County Hall, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, DL7 8AH. Email: [email protected]
Council deadline to seal the fate of Yorkshires “Henge Capital”.
New petition seeks to make councillors act.
Heritage Campaign group TimeWatch today issued a warning that North Yorkshire County Council could seal the fate of Britain’s densest concentration of henges later this month by agreeing to make the area “Preferred” for gravel quarrying.
“Whilst most people expect the major planning decisions to come from planning applications, many do not realise that if this place is made a Preferred Area for Quarrying, then future quarry applications will be pretty much a foregone conclusion, regardless of objections raised at the planning stage” Said TimeWatch Chairman George Chaplin. “For the sake of Yorkshire’s heritage, we must stop this from happening at Thornborough otherwise this extremely important heritage place will see yet more large scale destruction”.
“It may be amongst the most important places in Britain; “a world class heritage site” as far as English Heritage is concerned but To Tarmac it is just another piece of land waiting to be quarried, the archaeology is a simple obstacle, one that can easily be overcome if the area is made Preferred for Quarrying”.
To demonstrate the extent of local feeling, TimeWatch worked with local people to pass round a new petition within Thornborough, Nosterfield, West Tanfield, Well and Kirklington asking for the area not to become a preferred quarry site – 70% of locals have signed it, it was passed to West Tanfield Parish Council earlier in the year, but the council have yet to respond to it. The petition is to be sent to North Yorkshire County Council but looks set to be ignored there as well, as have previous Thornborough petitions.
“Our politicians are keen to have us turn up and vote for them during election time, but try to get them to respond to the will of the people but in Yorkshire that appears to be a very different matter” said Mr Chaplin “Thousands of people have voiced their concern regarding the quarrying of the ancient monument complex at Thornborough, but the situation today is even worse than in the past – the area is still being quarried and now TWO quarry companies wish to expand into Thornborough’s “ritual landscape”. In the meantime our council has decided that the conservation of the area is best left to those that allowed it to get like this in the first place and the campaigners who worked so hard just to get the council to recognise the issue have been all but excluded – this is democracy in North Yorkshire.”
On the 11th of this month the deadline for responses to North Yorkshires proposed Combined Minerals and Waste Plan closes, after which NYCC will decide which areas will become preferred for quarries. Four out of Hambledon’s seven quarry proposals sit within the Thornborough landscape. Responses should be sent to the Senior Minerals and Waste Policy Officer, North Yorkshire County Council, County Hall, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, DL7 8AH. Email: [email protected]
We are deliberately driving ourselves to shortage.
In Jan, Tarmac's application was turned down because:
1. There was no need for the gravel (NY has been overproducing gravel by 500,000 tonnes per year against the local plan for more than six years).
2. Thornborough is not a preferred area for quarrying, and
3. The application would have an unacceptable impact on nationally important archaeology.
Due to the need to cover up the mismanagement of the Minerals Plan, rather than tackle the issue of getting our quesrries to cut production (or simply close Thornborough quarry (which just happens to produce 500,000 tonnes per year), NYCC have accepted an increase in gravel quota, which means we are now committed to increase our exports out of the county to 50% of all gravel extracted.
To make sure Thornborough becaomes a preferred area, Tarmac have put in three proposal for Thornborough, out of a total of seven for the entire area for all quarry companies. Hansons proposal means that more than 60% of all quarry proposals in Hambleton district are intend on ensuring Thornborough becomes a preferred area for quarrying.
Thus, only the archaeology can save Thornborough, and guess who's job it is to find the stuff? Yes, Tarmac! The company that has made it clear, it has no intention of following guidelines requiring 6-10% assessments of such areas nor of following English Heritages guidance as to what constitutes archaeology of national importance.
Of course North Yorkshire County Council "dealt" with the issue by setting up the Thornborough Consultation group, which refused to invite campaign groups such as TimeWatch until after the proposed Conservation Plan was created. Strangely, the conservation plan proposed to only preserve the three Henges and their immediate surrounds (what is already scheduled), it misses ALL of the archaeological areas that are being quarried, have been proposed for quarrying or have been quarried. Tarmac of course are to lead the management team for this conservation plan.
Meanwhile, our government, who have the ultimate responsibility for protecting nationally important heritage sites has done nothing.
But there you go, clearly in times of massive global crisis and the inferred increased value of good quality agricultural land, it is important that we continue to over-produce gravel and destroy large sections a good quality agricultural land, especially if it contains national treasures.
In Jan, Tarmac's application was turned down because:
1. There was no need for the gravel (NY has been overproducing gravel by 500,000 tonnes per year against the local plan for more than six years).
2. Thornborough is not a preferred area for quarrying, and
3. The application would have an unacceptable impact on nationally important archaeology.
Due to the need to cover up the mismanagement of the Minerals Plan, rather than tackle the issue of getting our quesrries to cut production (or simply close Thornborough quarry (which just happens to produce 500,000 tonnes per year), NYCC have accepted an increase in gravel quota, which means we are now committed to increase our exports out of the county to 50% of all gravel extracted.
To make sure Thornborough becaomes a preferred area, Tarmac have put in three proposal for Thornborough, out of a total of seven for the entire area for all quarry companies. Hansons proposal means that more than 60% of all quarry proposals in Hambleton district are intend on ensuring Thornborough becomes a preferred area for quarrying.
Thus, only the archaeology can save Thornborough, and guess who's job it is to find the stuff? Yes, Tarmac! The company that has made it clear, it has no intention of following guidelines requiring 6-10% assessments of such areas nor of following English Heritages guidance as to what constitutes archaeology of national importance.
Of course North Yorkshire County Council "dealt" with the issue by setting up the Thornborough Consultation group, which refused to invite campaign groups such as TimeWatch until after the proposed Conservation Plan was created. Strangely, the conservation plan proposed to only preserve the three Henges and their immediate surrounds (what is already scheduled), it misses ALL of the archaeological areas that are being quarried, have been proposed for quarrying or have been quarried. Tarmac of course are to lead the management team for this conservation plan.
Meanwhile, our government, who have the ultimate responsibility for protecting nationally important heritage sites has done nothing.
But there you go, clearly in times of massive global crisis and the inferred increased value of good quality agricultural land, it is important that we continue to over-produce gravel and destroy large sections a good quality agricultural land, especially if it contains national treasures.
EH Minutes make interesting reading regarding Thornborough:
One notable new quote on Thornborough –
“EH considers that the archaeological deposits discovered in the southern part of Ladybridge Farm are of national importance and are further convinced that the larger archaeological landscape is also of national importance.” http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/uplo ... _Feb06.pdf
More on Thornborough in Section 9.1 here http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/uplo ... ne2006.pdf
Mike Griffiths seems to have written attacking their scoring system again but they defended themselves stoutly – Item 5 here - http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/uplo ... ly2006.pdf
One notable new quote on Thornborough –
“EH considers that the archaeological deposits discovered in the southern part of Ladybridge Farm are of national importance and are further convinced that the larger archaeological landscape is also of national importance.” http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/uplo ... _Feb06.pdf
More on Thornborough in Section 9.1 here http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/uplo ... ne2006.pdf
Mike Griffiths seems to have written attacking their scoring system again but they defended themselves stoutly – Item 5 here - http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/uplo ... ly2006.pdf
Latest update
Hi all,
As many of you are aware, following Tarmac Northern Ltd's failed application to quarry Ladybridge, a site within the ritual landscape of the Thornborough Henges last year, a revised planning application has been filed, and this is due to be determined by North Yorkshire's planning committee on the 16th January at 10am, Masham Town Hall.
The Council Officers recommendations to the planning committee have been published, and they have recommended approval of the revised application, meaning the quarrying of Thornboroughs landscape is now highly likely to continue.
Furthermore, a total of four areas at Thornborough have been proposed as preferred areas for quarrying in future, by two quarry companies, Tarmac Northern and Hanson. I suggest that if the application for Ladybridge is granted, then Thornborough will become a preferred area for quarrying, meaning that future planning applications will be far more difficult to defend against.
I'm not sure how many on this list are interested, but I suggest that if you do wish to see the wider landscape of this important ancient site preserved, then now is just about your last chance to act. My recommendation would be to attend the planning meeting, and to write to your mp, the press and the Minister for Heritage. Also, we should all be encouraging others to do the same.
Thanks
George
Hi all,
As many of you are aware, following Tarmac Northern Ltd's failed application to quarry Ladybridge, a site within the ritual landscape of the Thornborough Henges last year, a revised planning application has been filed, and this is due to be determined by North Yorkshire's planning committee on the 16th January at 10am, Masham Town Hall.
The Council Officers recommendations to the planning committee have been published, and they have recommended approval of the revised application, meaning the quarrying of Thornboroughs landscape is now highly likely to continue.
Furthermore, a total of four areas at Thornborough have been proposed as preferred areas for quarrying in future, by two quarry companies, Tarmac Northern and Hanson. I suggest that if the application for Ladybridge is granted, then Thornborough will become a preferred area for quarrying, meaning that future planning applications will be far more difficult to defend against.
I'm not sure how many on this list are interested, but I suggest that if you do wish to see the wider landscape of this important ancient site preserved, then now is just about your last chance to act. My recommendation would be to attend the planning meeting, and to write to your mp, the press and the Minister for Heritage. Also, we should all be encouraging others to do the same.
Thanks
George
Please help us get our petition back!
Hi all, the following post should be self explanitory, its and open letter to North Yorkshire County Council.
The problem is, we need our petition back as soon as possible so that we can send it to UKGov. We do have copies, but this is the original, which we think is all important.
Please write to NYCC asking them to expedite the petition as soon as possible, we are concerned that we will not get it back until after quarrying has started.
Write to:
Margaret Hulme
Chairman of North Yorkshire County Council
County Hall,
Northallerton,
North Yorkshire,
DL7 8AD
Hi all, the following post should be self explanitory, its and open letter to North Yorkshire County Council.
The problem is, we need our petition back as soon as possible so that we can send it to UKGov. We do have copies, but this is the original, which we think is all important.
Please write to NYCC asking them to expedite the petition as soon as possible, we are concerned that we will not get it back until after quarrying has started.
Write to:
Margaret Hulme
Chairman of North Yorkshire County Council
County Hall,
Northallerton,
North Yorkshire,
DL7 8AD
Open Letter to North Yorkshire County Council
Dear Mr Shaw,
In August 2005 TimeWatch handed to North Yorkshire County Council a petition regarding Thornborough Henges and the ongoing quarrying in the surrounding landscape.
The petition was signed by 10,000 people, and it asked that a one mile radius around the major monuments be protected from further quarrying and that North Yorkshire County Council recognise the importance of the Thornborough Monument complex.
Since the petition was handed in, we have asked the council and some councillors about the petition. It is clear that not all of the elected councillors have been informed of this petition and that it has not been debated by the council. We have also asked the council what they did with it and have had no response.
TimeWatch are now willing to accept that North Yorkshire County Council will not be dealing with that petition.
The petition was targeted not only to North Yorkshire Council, but also to our national government, and now that it is very likely that quarrying at Thornborough will be allowed to proceed within that one mile radius, we feel it is time we passed that petition to our government in the hope that it will recognise its responsibility to its electorate.
May I ask that we can come and collect the petition in the very near future so that we can deliver it to Downing Street within the next month?
Kindest regards
George Chaplin
Chairman
TimeWatch.org
Dear Mr Shaw,
In August 2005 TimeWatch handed to North Yorkshire County Council a petition regarding Thornborough Henges and the ongoing quarrying in the surrounding landscape.
The petition was signed by 10,000 people, and it asked that a one mile radius around the major monuments be protected from further quarrying and that North Yorkshire County Council recognise the importance of the Thornborough Monument complex.
Since the petition was handed in, we have asked the council and some councillors about the petition. It is clear that not all of the elected councillors have been informed of this petition and that it has not been debated by the council. We have also asked the council what they did with it and have had no response.
TimeWatch are now willing to accept that North Yorkshire County Council will not be dealing with that petition.
The petition was targeted not only to North Yorkshire Council, but also to our national government, and now that it is very likely that quarrying at Thornborough will be allowed to proceed within that one mile radius, we feel it is time we passed that petition to our government in the hope that it will recognise its responsibility to its electorate.
May I ask that we can come and collect the petition in the very near future so that we can deliver it to Downing Street within the next month?
Kindest regards
George Chaplin
Chairman
TimeWatch.org
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Tuesday 26th August 2008 - it was on the local BBC news this lunchtime that Tarmac have been given the go-ahead (- again) -
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/nort ... 582271.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/nort ... 582271.stm
hunck
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‘Stonehenge of the North’ has been gifted to the nation and opened up to the public.
Historic England and English Heritage said they have secured the future of the Thornborough Henges complex, near Ripon, North Yorkshire, following an agreement with the construction firm Tarmac to give part of the site to the nation.
The agreement dates back to 2016 when it was part of a wider planning agreement, forged after years of controversy over quarrying by the firm in the surrounding area.
On Friday, English Heritage will take control of the site and will be welcoming the public to the massive Neolithic monument
Historic England and English Heritage said they have secured the future of the Thornborough Henges complex, near Ripon, North Yorkshire, following an agreement with the construction firm Tarmac to give part of the site to the nation.
The agreement dates back to 2016 when it was part of a wider planning agreement, forged after years of controversy over quarrying by the firm in the surrounding area.
On Friday, English Heritage will take control of the site and will be welcoming the public to the massive Neolithic monument
Frideswide
Fortea Morgana :) PeteByrdie certificated Princess
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most excellent!