Hello and welcome to our consultation website for two projects we are bringing forward following our 2042 consultation in 2023.
touch_app Scroll to read more
This interactive website will guide you through what we are planning. At the end, we will ask you to complete a short survey. The thoughts
of local residents and businesses will help inform our proposals.
The project team are hosting two in-person events during the consultation period.
These events are free to attend and there is no need to book a place in advance. You can also book a one-to-one virtual drop-in session
if you can’t make the in-person events.
To find out more about these events and where they will be held,
Look out for blue highlighted hints like this. They will indicate interactive features on the map. In each section, you can zoom, pan and scroll across the map to explore it in more detail.
The survey will close on Sunday 5th October. We will then use the feedback provided to influence the final content of the outline planning application before submitting it to the Planning Authority.
Map Key
 |
Current Site Boundary |
Hope Works: 2042
In 2023 we asked the community what they would like to see after operations are scheduled to finish at the Works in Feb 2042. The community gave us lots of
great ideas for what could be delivered which we are considering for our long-term plans.
We had lots of suggestions to use part of our site for generating renewable energy. A variety of options were suggested but most would need to wait until operations finish.
However, one type that could work now is a solar farm. We have been examining how this could work at Hope and are now ready to consult on our plans.
In the consultation, many people expressed the importance of the jobs that Hope Works provides for the valley and thought this should be a focus for the future.
We are keen to secure the jobs we already have at the Works up to Feb 2042. As we have quarried limestone it has become clear that at current production, we do not
have enough material to last until the planning permission for the site runs out in Feb 2042. Therefore we need to extend the limestone quarry to meet the required demand.
We have provided more details on this later in the consultation.
Map Key
|
|
Current Site Boundary |
 |
Currently Active Limestone Quarry |
 |
Breedon Hope Cement Works |
 |
Currently Active Shale Quarry |
History at Hope
Hope Works opened in 1929, predating the designation of the Peak District National Park in 1951. The plant is here because it is where the Monsal
Dale limestone meets the Edale Shale. This means the two main ingredients for making cement are available in the same place.
In 1943, Geoffrey Jellicoe was appointed to create a restoration plan for the cement works, which has heavily influenced the plant and its quarries ever since.
His main recommendations were that the limestone quarry would have a narrow entrance. Along with considerate landscaping, the visual impact on the valley
would be limited. We continue to work to these principles today.
Over the past few years, a number of planning applications have been submitted at Hope Works. These include a new ARM facility approved in 2022.
The Peak District National Park is in the process of reviewing our existing Shale and Limestone quarries. This type of review, known as a ROMP, is regularly conducted at quarries all over the country.
The map shows what the quarry looks like today. Click on the map markers to see what the quarry and works looked like historically.
Hope is rail linked to 4 nationwide depots and 2 terminals. Approximately 1 megatonne of cement is delivered by rail. The works now comprises 2 rotating kilns and 2 cement
mills and employs approximately 270 employees.
The Hope Works have evolved over the years, and this year we have opened our new facility, which imports by rail, a shale substitute, to reduce the reliance on the Shale Quarry
at the site.
Hope Works has provided good jobs for the local area for decades and has a permit to continue quarrying both limestone and shale until 2042. It is estimated that Hope Works
generates £61m+ for the Peak District economy along with almost 300 jobs and many more indirectly in our supply chain.
Our site has a long history of mining and quarrying going back to the Roman times and earlier. Next to our shale quarry is a Roman fort and a newly discovered Vicus, a large defended
craft and settlement area immediately beyond the fort. Evidence for lead processing was discovered there, revealing exploitation of the local mineral on an industrial scale in
earlier times, and we know from stamped lead ingots that lead from the Peak District was exported around the entire Roman empire, and was in fact its main source of the metal. We were
very happy to see so many local volunteers get involved with the excavation of the site and its appearance on BBCs ‘Digging for Britain’.
State of the art technology and methods are being used at Hope Works for the Limestone Quarry extension by our archaeological consultants, local firm Archaeological Research Services Ltd.
Investigations continue, but only a few scattered features have so far been identified.
There will be opportunities to participate, when archaeological excavations commence on new areas to be stripped of soil.
If you would like to take part in this,
Map Key
 |
Historical photos of Hope Works |
The Limestone Quarry
The Limestone quarried from the site allows Hope to be the largest single producer of cement in the UK. To do this, around 1.8 million tonnes of
limestone are extracted each year. Without the extension of the limestone extraction, either production would have to slow or stop early. This would
mean a reduction in cement supply in the UK. Cement would have to be imported into the UK to maintain supply at the current levels.
Not all the limestone within the quarry is the same. We have to blend different parts of the quarry that are extracted to achieve the right chemical make up for
producing cement. Over recent years, the quality of stone has reduced with more needed to get the right quality cement. Based on current extraction rates, the
limestone quarry may become exhausted by the mid 2030’s. The extension is needed to maintain supply until the current planning permission for works expires in Feb 2042,
otherwise, it would mean a reduction in cement supply from Hope, which cannot be easily replaced.
Click the map markers to learn more about the restoration and conservation around the quarry and potential extension.
The extra limestone would be extracted from within the existing quarry. A new set of terraces within the quarry will be made to allow this. From most places outside the quarry, it will look almost the same as today. It is proposed that the areas that will be visible will be restored as soon as feasibly possible and before extraction is completed to reduce visual impact.
Map Key
|
|
Active Quarry Area |
 |
Temporary Quarry Extension Boundary |
 |
Broadleaved Woodland |
 |
Protected hawthorn Trees to be protected |
 |
Early Restoration Work |
Environmental Impact
To assess the impact of the extension Breedon will be producing a number of studies to support the planning application, which include noise, transport,
landscape and visual, archaeology, water resources, air quality and ecology.
Veteran or ancient hawthorn trees are within the site boundary. Twelve of these hawthorns are included in the Ordnance Survey map of 1883. This means the trees
were already mature when the survey was conducted in 1880. It is expected the trees are 170 to 190 years old. These trees will be protected and will not be
negatively impacted by the extraction extension.
The plans have also carefully considered wildlife habitats and biodiversity. Harm to protected species within the site will be avoided. The range of habitats
within the site is relatively limited and is not subject to any special protections. We are still studying all the details, but we anticipate the application
will have no direct impact on the nearby Castleton SSSI. The risk of indirect impacts on the SSSI, such as dust from the extension, is being reviewed and we will
mitigate accordingly.
Click the map markers to learn more about the restoration and conservation around the quarry and potential extension.
To help improve the general biodiversity of the area, habitat enhancements are planned as part of the application. This will include enhancing species-poor grassland
and changing the current grazing plan to protect the existing ancient and veteran hawthorn trees on-site. One dew pond will be removed and replaced. Restoration and
management of other dew ponds will be undertaken. Additional individual tree planting will also maintain these habitats into the long term. Bat boxes will be installed
in the woodland adjacent to also provide a new habitat on site restoration. All of this will ensure the application creates a more biodiverse environment than what is
there now.
Cement production is inherently CO2 intensive but we are involved in the development of the Peak Cluster. The Peak Cluster is an agreement between several companies in
the area who will work together to pipe carbon dioxide from the Peak District to old gas fields in the Irish Sea. This will reduce the CO2 released into the atmosphere
and contribute towards achieving the Net Zero ambitions of the UK.
Peak Cluster will prevent over three million tonnes of CO2 from entering the atmosphere each year, equal to almost 1% of the entire CO2 emissions of the country.
Map Key
|
|
Active Quarry Area |
|
|
Temporary Quarry Extension Boundary |
|
|
Broadleaved Woodland |
|
|
Protected hawthorn Trees |
|
|
Early Restoration Work |
Visual Impact
Hope Works has been a significant landmark in the valley since before the National Park was formed. The limestone quarry was originally designed to limit the impact it would have on the views of the valley, using the design principles set by Geoffery Jellicoe. By using a bottleneck entrance, the views into the limestone quarry are limited to those looking from a higher elevation, such as Bamford Edge, Lose Hill and Brough Lane. From the more elevated viewpoints the quarry will appear slightly wider to the north west than it does now.
Click the map markers to see viewpoints of the quarry and Works from different walking routes.
From viewpoints in the Valley, trees and the neck of the quarry severely limit views. It is unlikely that people looking towards Hope Works will notice any
difference if the extraction extension is allowed.
The restoration scheme is based on the principles set by Geoffery Jellicoe when the works were originally consented.
Map Key
|
|
Current Site Boundary |
 |
View of the works |
Solar at Hope Works
The first project is the installation of a small solar farm on Breedon’s land. This was one of the most commonly suggested options from our 2042
consultation conducted two years ago. There are several potential sites for the location of a solar farm at Hope Works. We have chosen an area within
the old shale quarry, as shown on the map.
Solar power is a renewable, clean energy that can be generated all year round. It is less effective on shorter days and when there is cloud, but it still
generates power. The panels will last about 30 years, at which point the power they generate reduces greatly. The panels convert the suns energy into
electricity that we can then use to help power Hope Works.
The panels are bolted to legs that have been driven into the ground. This raises them off the ground and allows them to be angled to catch the most sun.
Installations will be designed to maximise the benefit to biodiversity.
Due to the minimal footprint of the panels, there are no slabs of concrete to remove when the panels are uninstalled.
Map Key
|
|
Current Site Boundary |
|
|
Currently Active Limestone Quarry |
 |
Temporary Solar Site Boundary |
 |
Solar Site Location |
Solar Vision
Our proposals for a solar farm at Hope Works would see a 3MW to 4MW generating capacity. This is enough to power around 2,500 average family homes. Increasing our homegrown generation helps to protect UK businesses from price shocks caused by events abroad. It will also contribute
towards reducing the CO2 produced and mitigate climate change.
The siting of panels will consider the existing ecological features. This scheme provides an opportunity to manage habitats to maintain existing
interests and enhance wildlife features in and around the site. The panels will be installed so as to avoid sensitive ecological features and mitigate
the impact when that is not possible.
Map Key
|
|
Current Site Boundary |
|
|
Currently Active Limestone Quarry |
|
|
Temporary Solar Site Boundary |
|
|
Solar Site Location |
Community Contributions
Breedon is committed to the Hope Valley community. We understand the significance of our site on the villages of Castleton, Hope, Bradwell and beyond.
We want to strengthen the community in the valley and make it an even better place to live and work.
We currently work with a number of organisations and local groups. One of our buildings is used by the Edale Mountain Rescue team and the Historic Buildings
Trust use another one. We manage the Hope Social Club which houses a number of great local groups and business including KT Fitness. There are a variety of
other groups we have helped to fund over the years and this is something we want to continue.
Click the map markers to learn more about Breedon's contributions to different community groups.
We want to share the savings generated from the solar farm with the community. A community fund will be established, ran by the community and not Breedon. Local groups would then be able to access this through a grants process.
Map Key
|
|
Current Site Boundary |
 |
Edale Mountain Rescue |
 |
Historic Buildings Trust |
 |
Social Club |
Give us your thoughts
Thank you for taking the time to read more about our plans for the Hope Works Limestone Quarry. We would now love to hear from you.
Click on the button below to answer the survey.
question_answer Give your feedback here
This consultation will close on Sunday 5th October.
Next steps...
The project team are hosting in-person events during the formal consultation period.
These events are free to attend and there is no need to book a place in advance. To find out more
about these events and where they will be held,
An
Engaged Space community engagement presented by Deetu, on behalf of Breedon. Powered by Deetu.Got a story to tell? Get in touch.
touch_app Back to the start