It is an 18th century cotton spinning mill village, classed as a World Heritage Site due to its "outstanding universal value".
Each year, around 400,000 visitors descend on New Lanark on the picturesque banks of the Falls of Clyde to explore the historic working machinery, see the recreated millworkers' houses and view the scenic waterfalls.
But a proposal by a multi-national company to quarry on protected land beside the site is now being considered by the Scottish Government, with a decision imminent.
Around 4,500 people have written to the government, urging a rejection of the effort by Cemex to quarry 3.3million tonnes of sand and gravel from the surrounding countryside.
The building materials firm – which has its headquarters in Mexico – had their initial bid rejected three years ago, before launching a legal challenge.
A new report has now been sent to the government, though, assessing the proposal to extend Hyndford quarry – operated by Cemex UK – into a designated “buffer zone” which was established around New Lanark when it was first recognised as a World Heritage Site by Unesco in 2001.
New Lanark is one of six places in Scotland recognised by Unesco as having worldwide historical importance. The others are St Kilda, Edinburgh's Old and New Towns, the Antonine Wall, the Forth Bridge and the heart of Neolithic Orkney - a group of Neolithic monuments.
The village was developed in 1800 by utopian socialist and Welsh textile manuifactuer Robert Owen, as a model of co-operative living.
The quarry proposal was first put forward in 2010 but was rejected after a campaign by the Save Our Landscapes campaign group.
Joan McAlpine, an SNP MSP, has urged ministers to stand by their original decision.
She said: "We all know about the Falls of Clyde, we all know about New Lanark as wonderful attractions, but the designed landscape around them is as much part of the experience of visiting the area.
"It is part of the reason this place is a world heritage site and why you cannot have a quarry within a buffer zone just for the sake of a few shovelfuls of gravel.
"t is completely unacceptable. It's so philistine."
Over the summer, 4,500 visitors signed “postcards to Nicola”, asking the First Minister to stop the quarry.
Among the comments were one from Graeme Johnston, of Airdrie, who said, “Stop selling our assets and stripping what’s left of our country please,’ while Annette Walker, of Derby, said: “I detoured from my journey north today, especially to see the falls. It is a prime tourist asset for Scotland.”
Jennifer Gillings, from Australia, said, “Wonderful sight/experience. Lucky to have – please keep for other visitors,” and Paul Hope, of the United States, added: “I come to this country to visit natural places such as this. I spend money here. I would not come to see a quarry!”
Mark Stephens, Chair of Save Our Landscapes, said that Donald Dewar, as first minister, gave an unequivocal assurance that the quarry would not be allowed within the buffer zone, with the pledge contained in Unesco nomination documents signed by Mr Dewar in 2000.
Mr Stephens said that Cemex had gone back on its word by re-submitting its plans.
Mr Stephens said: "The outcome is crucial not only for protecting Scotland's heritage, but for preserving a much loved destination for family days out, and supporting vital local jobs in the tourist economy.
"There is also the question of integrity.
"The Scottish Government assured UNESCO that the area was protected from quarrying in the nomination for World Heritage Status.
"The nomination document was signed by the First Minister, and it is incumbent on Ministers to demonstrate that their word can be trusted.”
At a public hearing recently, Cemex UK's planning manager, Mark Kelly, said the firm had behaved with propriety and had put in place "mitigation measures" to prevent any impact on the local community from its work.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “A report was submitted to the Scottish Government on 20 June 2018 and Ministers are giving full consideration to the independent reporter’s conclusions and recommendations.
"Ministers will publish their decision on the planning application in due course.”
ends
Why are you making commenting on The Herald only available to subscribers?
It should have been a safe space for informed debate, somewhere for readers to discuss issues around the biggest stories of the day, but all too often the below the line comments on most websites have become bogged down by off-topic discussions and abuse.
heraldscotland.com is tackling this problem by allowing only subscribers to comment.
We are doing this to improve the experience for our loyal readers and we believe it will reduce the ability of trolls and troublemakers, who occasionally find their way onto our site, to abuse our journalists and readers. We also hope it will help the comments section fulfil its promise as a part of Scotland's conversation with itself.
We are lucky at The Herald. We are read by an informed, educated readership who can add their knowledge and insights to our stories.
That is invaluable.
We are making the subscriber-only change to support our valued readers, who tell us they don't want the site cluttered up with irrelevant comments, untruths and abuse.
In the past, the journalist’s job was to collect and distribute information to the audience. Technology means that readers can shape a discussion. We look forward to hearing from you on heraldscotland.com
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel