THE ancient industry of quarrying should be allowed to continue in the Lake District – despite it being a World Heritage Site, a meeting has heard.

Unesco, which granted the status for the area in 2017, frowns on the heavy industry because of its impact on heavily protected landscapes.

It has suggested quarrying in the Lakes be “downsized” and extraction volumes “limited”.

It was one of nine recommendations the Government was asked to consider and provide feedback on before Unesco makes a decision in 2019.

Bosses at the Lake District National Park Authority have told a meeting that they have argued that quarrying in the Lakes should carry on.

The park said it does not plan to allow any new quarrying sites but those which do remain are an intrinsic part of the Lake District’s culture and heritage.

The Lake District is home to 10 “active” mineral sites, not least at Honister near Keswick, England’s last working slate mine.

Steve Ratcliffe, director of sustainable development at the LDNPA, said they had made a “number” of representations to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

He said this was to ensure that Unesco’s concerns are addressed while ensuring the centuries-old industry is not brought to a grinding halt.

Mr Ratcliffe told the meeting: “Quarrying is part of our cultural heritage and has shaped the English Lake District. It’s important that quarrying continues.”

The Government has submitted a 14-page response which will be discussed by Unesco at the annual WHS conference next summer.

The park has argued that if quarrying or production stopped, the Lake District would not be able to preserve the aesthetic of the area  – another key element of WHS status.

Mr Ratcliffe told the meeting: “It is important that people appreciate while we have a process, we don’t have any control over the end of that process.

“This is a response by the Government. It is their words and we have had an influence. We will now wait until July next year to see what Unesco itself wishes to say.”

Park authority member Michael Carter, of Skelwith Bridge, said: “My understanding is that UNESCO wants us to reduce quarrying, but we are saying there will be no new sites considered but we want quarrying to continue at its current level. It will be interesting to see how that works out.