Limestone Inquiry, 21st Century:The Educational Use of Aggregate Sites

During the preliminary lesson

Tell the students that next lesson they will be taking part in a Public Inquiry about a proposed extension of a limestone quarry within a National Park. Each student will need a copy of the General Briefing, GB. See list at end of page.

Divide the class into seven groups. One group will play the role of the Inspector and his or her assessors, and will organise the Inquiry. The Inspector will act as a chairperson to control the proceedings. Members of this 'Inspectors group' need copies of Briefing Sheet B1. It is important to have students with appropriate personal qualities (especially fairness and balance) in these roles, particularly for the Inspector. (In a real public inquiry, assessors are present to provide an objective (unbiased) input and comments, usually on complicated points of science and technology. The inspector considers this information alongside that presented by the proposers and objectors, and makes an independent judgement on recommendations to government on what should be done.)

Three groups will be in favour of the quarry extension. They will represent Rock Quarry Holdings plc (abbreviated to RQH), who are the quarry operators proposing the development ('the appellants'), the industrial users of limestone, and the trades unions. They will need briefing sheets B2, B3 and B4 respectively. See list at end of page.

Three groups will oppose the extension ('the objectors'). They will represent the National Park Authority, local residents and the local conservation group. They will need briefing sheets B5, B6 and B7 respectively. See list at end of page.

Issue each member of the class with copies of the general briefing sheets (GB), and their specific briefing sheets (B1 to B7) according to the group they are in. They should study these sheets in class or for homework (or both). Students could use this time to research the issues in greater depth than in the briefing sheets and possibly see pictures of quarries on the internet, for example at www.qpa.org (accessed July 2003); go to Lifezone and click on 'crushed rock'.

In school trials, it was found to be very important to allow plenty of preparation time for students to assimilate the information and discuss it together.

On the day of the Inquiry
Each group should first spend some time together using their briefing sheets, their notes and other sources of information to plan how they are going to present their arguments.

The Public Inquiry itself should, as far as possible, be organised by the Inspector and his or her team. It may be better to do this in a classroom or laboratory where there is movable furniture so that the Inspector can arrange the seating suitably. The Inspector should be encouraged to take firm control of the Inquiry to ensure everyone gets a fair hearing.

A suggested sequence of events for the Inquiry is given in the Inspector's briefing sheet (B1) where it is suggested that at the end of the proceedings the inspector and assessors should draft a brief report giving their conclusions and recommendations along with any conditions that should be imposed if permission for the quarry is to be granted.

Students may suggest using Powerpoint® slides etc, for their presentations. However impress on them that there are time limits both for their preparation and for their presentation.

At the end of each presentation, copies should be given to the Inspector.

Further notes for teachers
As far as possible, the exercise has been modelled upon conventional practices in planning, decision-making and particularly the appeals process in England and Wales. The situation and terminology differs but has parallels in Scotland and Northern Ireland. However, at the time of revision (early 2003) major changes in the planning decision-making process are in hand in England, but the appeals process is likely to remain in this format.

The title 'Public Inquiry' is the legal term for an investigation - conducted rather like a court, into proposals to carry out development eg quarrying, building a retail park or to prepare a development plan.

The assessment criteria for mineral applications given in briefing sheet GB3 are likely to be reviewed during 2003 and will be contained in a new document.

Further resources
These may be useful for extension work or homework.
D J Harrison and K A McL. Adam, Limestones of the Peak : Mineral Assessment Report 144, London: British Geological Survey / HMSO, 1985. This contains detailed coloured maps of limestone by chemical purity in the Peak District of Derbyshire and Staffordshire, the local geological structure, data from boreholes and resource blocks and a brief resume of the development of the industry in that area over the last 200 years. It is an ideal source book and, while still in print, excellent value at only £5.

Reports of the East Midlands Aggregates Working Party (EMAWP) carry detailed statistics annually on the production, use and reserves of limestone (and other aggregates) by county in the East Midlands (separate figures also for Peak Limestone the Peak District National Park). Similar reports also cover the smaller outcrop in Staffordshire (and the rest of England and Wales) - available on www.planning.odpm.gov.uk/rawp/index.htm (accessed June 2003) or EMAWP reports in hard copy from the publishers, The National Stone Centre, Porter Lane, Wirksworth, Derbyshire DE4 4LS (Tel/fax: 01629 824833 and email nsc@nationalstonecentre.org.uk)

Useful information is available on various web sites showing satellite photographs, aerial photographs and maps which indicate the positions of quarries, (e.g. www.getmapping.com (accessed June 2003) geology, www.bgs.ac.uk/mineralsuk/, (accessed June 2003) and environment mapping at any scale for all environmentally officially designated areas in England and Wales, www.magic.gov.uk (accessed June 2003).

Acknowledgement
This material has been adapted (in 2003) to take account of recent changes in procedure at planning inquiries and the industry by Ian Thomas of the National Stone Centre, with permission, from SATIS No. 602 The Limestone Inquiry, Hatfield, Association for Science Education, 1986.

The JESEI project is very grateful to the Association for Science Education for permission to adapt and update this resource.

Special note
The information contained in this activity is not intended to relate to any particular organisation or area, but reflects current practice. Planning legislation and procedures are currently undergoing major changes at the time of writing.

Note on copyright
The copyright of the diagrams / figures is retained by the National Stone Centre; they may only be used and copied in connexion with this activity and within a teaching / learning context. They may not be used commercially or used, adapted or published for any other purpose, without the written consent of the National Stone Centre, Wirksworth, Derbyshire, DE4 4LS.

Appendices

12 Key Stage 3-4 example of theme: Limestone
The world's most useful rock

MODULE: THE LIMESTONE INQUIRY, 21ST CENTURY

Appendices

12 Key Stage 3-4 example of theme: Limestone The world's most useful rock

MODULE: THE LIMESTONE INQUIRY, 21ST CENTURY

12 Key Stage 3-4 example of theme: Limestone
The world's most useful rock