A nationally important Bronze Age site in the Peak District has been saved from quarrying after a compromise agreement was reached between the national park authority and landowners.

The Nine Ladies stone circle on Stanton Moor was threatened by renewed stone extraction by quarry company Stancliffe Stone. Protracted negotiations led to an agreement by the company to give up rights to quarry there, in exchange for permission to extend a nearby operation.

The existing quarrying permission dated back to 1952.

The Nine Ladies stone circle

Stancliffe Stone will be allowed to extend its Dale View quarry, which is further from the sensitive archaeological sites and wildlife habitats. Agreement in principle was reached in July 2007, but it has taken until now to thrash out details.

Most of Stanton Moor is open access land under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act.

Peak District National Park Authority chair Narendra Bajaria said: “This is a great result for the authority, the company, the community, and most of all for the nationally important heritage and wildlife of Stanton Moor.

“It brings to an end years of uncertainty for villagers, parish councils, action groups and the company concerned. We are grateful for the community’s support and patience while the negotiations were taking place, but it was necessary to secure the best solution that could have been achieved.”

Stanton Moor lies between Bakewell and Matlock in the East of the national park. The area is renowned for its climbing possibilities, with 18 routes listed both on boulders and in quarries.

The area is renowned for its prehistoric relics, including barrows, standing stones and ancient enclosures.

Mike Jones, director of Stancliffe Stone, commented: “We’ve been working closely with the national park authority, local community and other interested parties to reach an agreement on Dale View. The quarried stone will be used for new build, heritage and restoration projects.

“We would like to thank all of the stakeholders involved in finalising this agreement, which will help protect the Nine Ladies Stone Circle, wildlife and surrounding landscape.”

The agreement between the park authority and Stancliffe Stone contrasts with the continuing wrangle over Backdale Quarry, which will be the subject of an appeal by the Peak authority against limestone extraction being carried out under another 1952 permission.

The Backdale hearing is expected before the end of the year.