I remain resolutely opposed to the quarry application that has been concerning residents of Knott End and Preesall for some time now.

Since I was made aware of the quarry plans, I have endeavoured to always listen to my constituents and supported their campaigns against the quarry: https://www.catsmith.co.uk/latest/2022/07/01/stop-the-quarry-cat-meets-with-preesall-residents/.

Last year I tabled a petition requesting that the House of Commons urge the Government to ask Lancashire County Council to engage with local residents and ultimately reject the plans for a quarry in Preesall: https://www.catsmith.co.uk/latest/2022/06/30/stop-the-quarry-public-meeting-and-sign-the-petition/.

I have written to Paul Holmes MP, responsible for presenting the Planning (Quarries) Bill 2022-23 Private Members Bill which is going through Parliament and offered my support: https://www.catsmith.co.uk/latest/2023/04/06/cat-lends-support-to-quarrying-bill/

More recently I have joined the Clean Quarrying APPG (a cross party group in Parliament) that is working on improving legislation on quarries. In working with other MPs who have similar issues in their constituencies, I hope that strength in numbers will see more power handed to local residents on this hugely important issue.

I’ll continue doing what I can to make changes at the national level, and stop local residents being subjected to hostile profit-led planning applications which have no regard for the health and wellbeing of the community.