UK: Breedon Cement has applied to the Peak District National Park Authority to extend quarrying at its Hope Works site and extract 13Mt of limestone. The active quarry covers a site area of approximately 162 hectares, with the extraction areas currently covering approximately 70 hectares. If approved, it could reportedly secure more than 230 jobs. The proposal also includes a small solar farm, according to local press.
The company said that the plant supplied 16% of the UK’s cement in 2022 and warned that, without new reserves, operations could cease by the mid 2030s, risking the loss of 223 jobs and £25.5m in gross value added to the local economy. If approved, the extension would prolong quarrying by 7.5 years to February 2042.
While more than 80% of consultation respondents supported the site’s role in providing jobs, some raised concerns about heavy goods vehicle traffic. The company stated that traffic levels would not increase above usual levels as a result of the expansion.
Planning documents also outline a proposed shift to lower-carbon CEM II production by 2035 and a target of net zero by 2050, alongside plans to expand nearby wildlife habitats to offset the impact of the development.
The proposal is out for consultation until 30 March 2026, with a decision expected to be made by 9 April 2026.
