THE new owners of one of the Lake District's most prominent quarries looks likely to win an extra five years in which to extract slate from the landscape.

Burlington Slate Ltd has only recently acquired Pett's Quarry, high on the slopes of Snarker Pike, above Ambleside and overlooking Kirkstone Pass.

Planning consent to quarry at the site was due to expire on December 31.

But an application to extend the working time until the end of 2020 is likely to be approved by the Lake District National Park Authority's development control committee when it meets next Wednesday, December 2.

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Both South Lakeland District Council and the Lakes Parish Council have already given the nod to the application from Duncan Peake, on behalf of Burlington Slate.

Now, national park authority officers are recommending the committee grant planning consent, saying the benefits of supporting local jobs and providing slate for local building needs outweigh any 'disbenefits' of impact on the landscape or local biodiversity.

Pett's Quarry is accessed from The Struggle – the minor road between Ambleside the Kirkstone Pass summit – and dates back to at least the mid-19th century.

Part of the site is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest because of its geological features.

A report to the committee says no objections to the application were received when it was advertised.

It acknowledges that continued slate extraction would have a permanent landscape impact but says they would be 'minor' within what was a large-scale landscape of rugged and craggy high fells and exposed crags, scree, heath and peatland.

"From all viewpoints the quarry is perceived as a feature within the landscape as distinct from a feature which defines the landscape character," it says.

The report adds that the 'fairly brief' extension of the working time was recommended while a long term quarry plan was developed.

But it adds that a list of 14 conditions as regards monitoring of noise, dust and vibration, the protection of water courses from pollution and protection of the landscape and local amenity must be imposed on the quarry.