The first attempt to stop the quarry through the legal system has failed, not because there are no grounds for concern about the way the decision was made but because the applicants were deemed to have no locus standi or 'sufficient standing' to bring the case.
As yet, however, North Somerset Council have still not actually granted the planning permission. All they have done is resolve to grant permission. It is not, therefore, too late for the Council to overturn their decision. Pioneer are almost certainly aware of this and will be pressurising Council officers to quickly prepare the necessary S.106 Agreement which allows development to start. They will be worried that if there are any delays, the Council may well change its mind. Given that there is a local election on May 1st there is a chance that the new Council could do this.
Campaigners are becoming aware of more and more flaws in Pioneer's application. This gives increasing cause for concern that North Somerset may have made the wrong decision and that considerable environmental damage could result. These need to be brought to the Council's attention so that they can act before it is too late.
There are also opportunities for more legal action. This cannot be brought by the people who made the previous application, but could be brought by others. They will have to make sure that they have locus standi if the action is not merely to repeat the first attempt. A successful judicial review would not however stop the quarry forever. Pioneer could simply submit a new planning application thus starting the process all over again.
Another route is to get the matter called in by the Secretary of State for the Environment. Ashton Court is used by a lot of people living in Bristol and yet planning matters are decided by another authority. The quarry application is therefore something of a regional issue which could be a matter for the Secretary of State's consideration. There would then be a public inquiry.
To further the protection of Top Park Field, a new group has been set up. 'The Friends of Ashton Court' was formed by concerned residents at the public meeting on 25 March and is already pledged to resource the fight to stop the quarry expansion going ahead.
http://www.gn.apc.org/cycling/ashtoncourt
Updated 27 March 1997