Get involved! Send your photos, video, news & views by texting MG NEWS to 80360 or e-mail us
7:20am Sunday 5th October 2008
PROPOSALS for major geological excavations at Gullet Quarry, a local beauty spot, have been turned down by Malvern Hills Conservators.
The proposals by the Earth Heritage Trust would have involved exposing important geology on the steep west face of the quarry with steps and paths cut into the rock to make the site more accessible.
MHC director Ian Rowat said members were not keen to see such major changes to a popular local beauty spot and instead had instructed the officers to look into all the issues affecting the management of former quarries on the hills.
“Gullet Quarry is a popular and very tranquil place. We’re happy to work with the geologists at the Earth Heritage Trust but as trustees of the hills the Conservators have to consider more than just the geology,” said Mr Rowat.
There are around 70 former quarries in the hills, some large, others little more than shallow depressions.
Forty years ago as working stone quarrries these were considered a blot on the landscape, explained Mr Rowat but today with increasing interest in geology the sites were now seen differently.
“The conservators have to balance completing interests, such as conservation, wildlife, biodiversity and how the hills are used by the pulblic,” he explained.
A study will produce a paper highlighting major concerns in the management of the quarries so that the conservators can decide what might need to be done in future.
Add your comment
Register for a FREE Malvern Gazette account and you can have your say on today's news and sport by adding comments on articles we publish. The best comments may even get published in the paper.
Please register now or sign in below to continue.
Enter your postcode, town or place name
Find your next job now In Worcestershire and beyond
Search Now »
Make a date in Worcestershire now!
Search Now »
Worcestershire homes for sale and to let
Search Now »
Cars for sale throughout Worcestershire
Search Now »