May 8 2012

Putative plans to construct an open cast quarry next a Lanarkshire beauty spot have stirred the wrath of campaigners fearful of the possible adverse impact on the Falls of Clyde.

Cemex, a multinational cement company, has notified South Lanarkshire Council of its intent to extend the existing Hyndford Quarry just 250m away from the picturesque Falls.

This will entail extraction of some 4m tonnes of sand and gravel from the site over a seven year period, lowering the surrounding landscape by up to 40m.

Save Our Landscapes, a campaign group set up to oppose the plans, fear that this will result in key parts of the ‘designed landscape’ being lost; including the ancient Drove Road that once connected Lanark to crossings across the Clyde at Boathaugh and Tullieford.

Concerns have also been raised around an early 18th century ‘Parliamentary Wall’ - thought to be the last of its kind in Scotland.
SOL’s Jean Rance said: “People from all over Lanarkshire, Scotland and beyond have expressed their horror that such a beautiful place should be threatened by short-term commercial gain. This is Lanarkshire’s jewel in the crown. It would be madness to ruin it.”

Mark Stephens, also of SOL, added: “Cemex seems to think it’s above the law, and that local planning policies should not apply to it. We have to ensure that planning policies are enforced, and send out the message that the laws of this land apply to everyone and every company, no matter how big its balance sheet.”

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