Hyndford quarry decision will protect New Lanark

Ministers have determined that ‘the disturbance of at least eight years before positive restoration in the western extension is unacceptable and is not outweighed by the need for a supply of minerals’.

On that basis they have decided that that part of the development planned by Cemex should not be approved. The other half of the development, from the existing quarry down to the Clyde, can go ahead.

An extensive local campaign spearheaded by ‘Save our Landscape’ chair Mark Stephens has lobbied against the New Lanark part of the proposal.

Commenting as the MSP for Clydesdale, Aileen Campbell said: “I am pleased that Ministers took on board the potential threat to the jewel in South Lanarkshire’s crown - our unique and beautiful World Heritage site at New Lanark - when making their decision.

“The buffer zone and the planned landscape that is so integral to the site’s status will be preserved.

“I want to pay tribute to the organised, coherent and evidence-based campaign led by Mark and the members of SOL.

“This is a success not just for Clydesdale, but for Scotland.”

For full details, see next week’s Carluke and Lanark Gazette.