THE future of a controversial Holme Valley beauty spot could be shaped at a public meeting set to be called soon.

Cliff Rec – a disused quarry above Holmfirth – is one of a number of green belt plots recently taken under the wing of the Graveship of Holme land charity.

The exhausted quarries, most of which are less than an acre in size, were a legacy of the 1974 local government revamp, and councillors have been working for decades to clarify what they could do with them.

Now the charity, which recently auctioned a number of its other sites, is considering what to do with the popular recreation site.

Although the quarry area has been plagued with under-age drinking and littering problems it is a popular recreation area for walkers, families and climbers.

Following the complaints and a row over whether or not to demolish the rec’s stone shelter, a new community group, Friends of Cliff Rec, was launched to monitor the rural spot.

Spokesman for the group, Richard Smith, said he had been trying to find out what the plans for the quarry, were but had been barred from the charity’s meetings.

Mr Smith said he had asked parish councillors to retain the quarry for the benefit of the community but was worried it would be sold.

Charles Kaye, chairman of the charity, told the Express & Chronicle there was nothing sinister going on in the private sessions.

Mr Kaye, who is also a Holme Valley parish councillor, said: “No decisions have been made on Cliff Rec, we’re planning to have a public meeting and listen to what people think, because there’s a lot of opinions on what to do with that site.

“The climbers that use it are very keen to develop on the cliff part.

“Some like it for dog walking, others don’t.

“Parts could be developed; there’s a whole range of options.

“My expectation is there won’t be one solution.”

Clr Kaye said they would announce the public meeting soon, but said he hoped it would be within the next month.

And he said although the charity was run by parish council members it was not governed by the same rules.

He added: “In practice we’re not obliged to have any public meetings at all.

“But if people want to come along to the beginnings of meetings we’re happy to listen to them.

“But particular discussions over sites have to remain confidential for legal and financial reasons.”