Should we appeal against the failure of the Judicial Review to quash Faringdon Neighbourhood Plan’s policy for Wicklesham Quarry, or postpone opposition to a future date, if an application for industrial use comes forward? Both views were represented in well-considered emails from supporters. Sincere thanks to everyone who responded. I share supporters’ dismay with the recent judgment, and the view that it was unsatisfactory and unreasonable: if the policy failed to meet the basic conditions, as the judge agreed, it should have been removed. However, our aim has always been to protect this very special site from development, and to prevent Faringdon Neighbourhood Plan being used to bypass County Council planning conditions. In the second objective we have been completely successful. By ruling that both the Restoration and 5 years Aftercare Schemes must be carried out, the High Court has disabled the Neighbourhood Plan policy. This will carry substantial weight with the District and County Councils, and if a future application is ever made, we can point to the judge’s statements that the policy failed to have regard to national policy, and was not in conformity with the strategic policies of the Local Plan. Our case has made one thing clear to which all three councils were indifferent, or of which they were unaware: county matters are excluded development for neighbourhood plans. Had any of these authorities taken this issue seriously, the Judicial Review could have been avoided. On balance, the right course of action must now be to wait and remain vigilant that the Restoration and Aftercare Schemes are fully complied with. I would urge Wicklesham’s supporters please to stay in touch, ask questions, and let those with responsibility know that we are watching. For example, you might drop a line to Mr Bev Hindle, Strategic Director for Communities, at Oxfordshire County Council: bev.hindle@oxfordshire.gov.uk . * Has Wicklesham Quarry’s Restoration Scheme - due to be completed on 30th June 2017 following enforcement action - been carried out? * What action has been taken regarding the illegal stripping of trees and vegetation from the protected ponds in 2016? As the breeding habitats of a European Protected Species these ponds are Priority Habitats under S41 of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act. * Is the County Council ensuring that Natural England (or any other environmental agency) monitors these habitats, in view of their evident vulnerability to deliberate destruction? * Has action been taken against Grundon Ltd for their failure to obtain a Mitigation Licence throughout the Restoration period? Some efforts might usefully be made to convince the landowner of the lasting conservation legacy that the quarry could create, with his co-operation. After all, who wants to be memorialised by an industrial estate in the middle of one of Britain’s most exceptional Sites of Special Scientific Interest? Faringdon already has one folly - we don’t want another. Local people are planning to gather Wicklesham’s environmental record together, and ensure that TVERC records are brought up to date. As an enduring benefit to the town, its people and environment, Wicklesham Quarry SSSI and Conservation Target Area would give Faringdon an absolutely unique local identity, unmatched in Oxfordshire, and restore the Quarry to what many local people remember from their childhood. Wicklesham Quarry SSSI exemplifies the insecurity of planning conditions which only take effect once the land use itself is finished. It is wholly unacceptable that Wicklesham's future remains uncertain, and that dedicated lawyers, local people and businesses who have given huge amounts of time, energy, sponsorship, research and money, might have to take up this fight on behalf of the environment again in 5 years’ time, simply to try to ensure that what was originally promised is made to happen. How can we stop the repeated environmental abuse that the planning system seems to offer? Quarrying is not going to go away, but it is time to resolve this matter once and for all. Landscape is not a cash-cow to be used up and written off against one form of profit after another. Community involvement and long-term environmental protection must be front and centre of minerals policies, operations and applications. Whether by S106 Agreements, Community Contracts or by automatically vesting ownership of former quarries in environmental trusts, the long-term outcomes and ongoing monitoring of environmentally damaging, temporary operations should be secured by shared interest. No one should be tempted to carry out intentional destruction of Priority Habitats and Species for economic motives. Over the next five years Wicklesham Quarry SSSI will need all our vigilance. In the absence of alternative suggestions occasional updates through this petition may be the best means of keeping in touch and up to date with news. If you no longer wish to receive updates from the campaign to Protect Wicklesham Quarry from Development you can unsubscribe at any time by scrolling down to ‘Help’, select FAQ,s and click ‘unsubscribe’. The email account protectwicklesham@gmail.com will remain open for communications. Your input to all questions raised here is warmly welcomed.