Object
Initial Consultation document
Representation ID: 91828
Received: 23/07/2018
Respondent: Mr & Mrs N & M Lake
A good friend of mine has written this with regards to Fritton Woods and the proposed site for a sand and gravel pit. My husband and I support this view and statement 100%.
I am not sure if you are aware but there is a beautiful part of the Norfolk countryside under threat of destruction and desecration.
I would implore you to use your influence to try and avert this National tragedy before it is too late.
Norfolk County Council are due to make a decision of the site in the near future.
Below I list [ 52 ] reasons why it is felt that the site is not only not suitable but would be immensely catastrophic if it were to go ahead.
1) What makes interesting reading is the Governments '' Strategy for England's Trees, Woods and Forests''
http://www.defra.gov.uk/.../rdd.../pdf/0706forestry-strategy.pdf
To quote the foreword of Barry Gardiner Parliamentary Under-secretary, D.E.F.R.A., 'Trees and Woodland make a big difference to the quality of people's lives, improving the places in which they live and work' he goes on to say that 'Climate change is the biggest of those challenges. Our trees and their associated soils make a valuable contribution to reducing Carbon Emissions'. In addition he says that 'Native woodland plants and animals need a network of wooded habitats along which they can move as the climate of their present habitats change'.
2) In this day and age when there is such an outcry about Global Warming, The Climate Change Act 2008 (c 27) is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. The Act makes it the duty of the Secretary of State to ensure that the net UK carbon account for all six Kyoto greenhouse gases for the year 2050 is at least 80% lower than the 1990 baseline, toward avoiding dangerous climate change. The Act aims to enable the United Kingdom to become a low-carbon economy and gives ministers powers to introduce the measures necessary to achieve a range of greenhouse gas reduction targets. An independent Committee on Climate Change has been created under the Act to provide advice to UK Government on these targets and related policies. In the act Secretary of State refers to the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change. In our opinion, to mutilate this forest is not doing more to help the Planet but further destroying it.
It is doubtful that cutting down so many trees is in the Paris Agreement on Climate change
3) You will not be able to move the plant life and Fungi.
4) The "Pond Life" in the tributaries of the River Waveney, of which some is a food source for other wildlife would also suffer
5) Whilst it could be possible to catch and transfer the bird and wildlife to other location you will not be able to transfer the whole food chain; therefore, in effect, you will be condemning members of the various species moved to a certain death as wherever they are moved will overpopulate that area, depreciating the food chain drastically and causing the numbers to shrink due to the lack of available food.
6) This is one of only a few spot in the U.K. where Adders are prevalent . Given that they are protected under European Law it would be in appropriate to move them.
7) The habitat of the VERTIGO MOULINSIANA - Snail - would be destroyed and this is protected by European Law.
8) Great Yarmouth does not have any similar area for its population to visit
a) for the education of its children and future generations
b) for the infirmed to be taken for a change of scenery, fresh air
c) for people to exercise, relax and relieve themselves of the stress of modern living
d) for people to take their parents and grandparents for a picnic
e) for parents to take their children for picnics
f) dog walkers will have no other alternative but to take their dogs along Great Yarmouth Beaches
g) dog walkers will have no other alternative but to take their dogs along Gorleston Beach
h) Horse Riders will have no other alternative but to ride along Great Yarmouth Beaches
i) Horse Riders will have no other alternative but to ride along Gorleston Beach
9) People for miles around come to this particular Forest for rest, relaxation and to de-stress the rigours of modern living because similar facilities in their area s have been decimated and mutilated.
10) The 'Trunk' roads around the area will not be able to handle the increased heavy duty traffic
11) The small villages will not be able to handle the traffic when there is an accident on the A.12 / A.47 / A.143 and A.146 as frequently happens
12) Access to the specific area will be limited and difficult.
13) There are currently numerous Electricity Pylons [16 / 18 let alone the ones at either end which will have to be diverted ] running through the middle of the forest which will cost several million pounds to move
14) There will be numerous compensation claims from the residents in at least 5 mile radius whose lives will be blighted should this situation go ahead .
15) There will be a further erosion of the Suffolk Sandling Heath
16) There will be pollution to the River Waveney
17) The "sub-aquafa" would be contaminated
18) There are Unique Relic's from both WW I and WW II that need to be preserved
19) There is the ancient Bell Hill Battery
20) It is alleged that the integrity of Haddiscoe Bridge is in question [ if not the bridge itself then the approaches onto it ] . This will accelerate considerably, with the increased H.G.V., traffic should the pit go ahead
21) N.C.C., are in print stating that they want to minimise the impact on the quality of life and the environment = should this pit go ahead it will impact greatly on the lives of numerous small villages / Hamlet & Towns in the South East of Norfolk and North East Suffolk
22) Great Yarmouth is about 140 acres short of the required civil amenities for the area and this will further exacerbate the situation. Possibly more when all the local house building is completed.
23) [a] Essex & Suffolk water table would come under stress from the excess usage.
[b] The Water Framework Directive 2017 needs to be taken into consideration
24) Part of Great Yarmouth Beach are set aside for Little Terns which are endangered. This is has a SS1 classification but this will be in danger if the Forest is lost to dog-walkers & people trying to find an alternative for rest & relaxation.
25) Other pits in the area [ Browston / Burgh Castle & Raveningham ] to not make it viable for another pit in my opinion
26) I understand that the quality of the sand is not that good
27) The Gravel could not be extracted by river as this would cause untold damage to the riverbanks and there is serious doubt if it would actually be commercially viable.
28) In March 2009, it was reported that the whole of the Broads are in jeopardy due to climate change; this will exacerbate the situation.
29) There is a strong likelihood that once the sand & / or gravel has been exhausted that the area will be turned into landfill which will also cause unnecessary pollution to the River Waveney and Fritton Lake which is a reservoir and supplies the local population with fresh water for drinking.
30) English Heritage are likely to get an S.M.S. [ Special Monumental Site ] upon at least part of the forest
31) There is a sharp corner where New Road meets the A.143 where the old Jolly Angler pub used to be which is virtually impassable if you get two large vehicles meet going in opposite directions. In my opinion it is an accident waiting to happen at the moment let alone with increased heavy duty vehicle traffic. It has been documented that there have been several vehicles mounting the pavement in order to negotiate the bend and Highways are unable to do anything about it as the Norfolk County Councillor has had several meetings with them about it.
32) New Road is the only access into the Forest and it is not suitable for H.G.V., traffic. In several spots it is only suitable for one car and is therefore totally unsuitable for two H.G.V's going in opposite directions.
33) Access from a new entrance on the A.143 would be dangerous because it would be on a hill.
34) There is currently a speeding problem along the stretch of road between Fritton & St. Olaves which the Police and Highways have been aware of for some years now but appear unable or unwilling [ my opinion ] to do something about it.
35) Being so close to the James Paget Hospital the additional traffic could have a serious influence on the already under pressure Ambulance service and add to the stress level of the hard working employee's
36) Great Yarmouth Borough Council have objected to the destruction of the Forest for use as a Gravel pit
37) Fritton & St. Olaves Parish Councillors have objected to the destruction of the Forest for use as a Gravel pit
38) Local Papers recorded Norfolk County Council being handed petition's with signatures in excess of 15,000 against the proposal at a previous attempt.
39) The major land owner in the area has a project to re-introduce Eel's into the River Waveney and Fritton Lake but this is likely to be disturbed.
40) Valuable Reed Beds would be destroyed
41) Invaluable Public Footpaths & Rights of way would need to be destroyed.
42) It would have a detrimental effect on Local Tourism
43) It would seriously affect the solitary bus route which Older people, those who do not have the use of a vehicle require and rely upon to get to the James Paget hospital and into Great Yarmouth and Beccles. Then you have the children travelling to & from school.
44) There would be serious dust pollution over a vast area
45) There would be serious noise pollution
46) There would be serious Light pollution
47) Serious pollution will be encountered from the 40 plus vehicles per day together the with the ancillary machinery.
48) People in the area who already have health problems would be adversely affected in particular those with the various types of breathing problems
49) Petitions against the Gravel Pit received over 20,000 signatures
50) There are several stretches of the A.143 road between Great Yarmouth and Beccles where it is questionable that 2 heavy lorries could pass safely going in opposite directions because the road is not wide enough.
51) There are several schools on &/or near the A.143 which would be vunerable.
52) Wetlands in the area could stagnate, encourage flooding and breeding of mosquitoes e.t.c., which would be a further health hazard to residents in the surrounding areas not to mention Local Tourism.
A good friend of mine has written this with regards to Fritton Woods and the proposed site for a sand and gravel pit. My husband and I support this view and statement 100%.
I am not sure if you are aware but there is a beautiful part of the Norfolk countryside under threat of destruction and desecration.
I would implore you to use your influence to try and avert this National tragedy before it is too late.
Norfolk County Council are due to make a decision of the site in the near future.
Below I list [ 52 ] reasons why it is felt that the site is not only not suitable but would be immensely catastrophic if it were to go ahead.
1) What makes interesting reading is the Governments '' Strategy for England's Trees, Woods and Forests''
http://www.defra.gov.uk/.../rdd.../pdf/0706forestry-strategy.pdf
To quote the foreword of Barry Gardiner Parliamentary Under-secretary, D.E.F.R.A., 'Trees and Woodland make a big difference to the quality of people's lives, improving the places in which they live and work' he goes on to say that 'Climate change is the biggest of those challenges. Our trees and their associated soils make a valuable contribution to reducing Carbon Emissions'. In addition he says that 'Native woodland plants and animals need a network of wooded habitats along which they can move as the climate of their present habitats change'.
2) In this day and age when there is such an outcry about Global Warming, The Climate Change Act 2008 (c 27) is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. The Act makes it the duty of the Secretary of State to ensure that the net UK carbon account for all six Kyoto greenhouse gases for the year 2050 is at least 80% lower than the 1990 baseline, toward avoiding dangerous climate change. The Act aims to enable the United Kingdom to become a low-carbon economy and gives ministers powers to introduce the measures necessary to achieve a range of greenhouse gas reduction targets. An independent Committee on Climate Change has been created under the Act to provide advice to UK Government on these targets and related policies. In the act Secretary of State refers to the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change. In our opinion, to mutilate this forest is not doing more to help the Planet but further destroying it.
It is doubtful that cutting down so many trees is in the Paris Agreement on Climate change
3) You will not be able to move the plant life and Fungi.
4) The "Pond Life" in the tributaries of the River Waveney, of which some is a food source for other wildlife would also suffer
5) Whilst it could be possible to catch and transfer the bird and wildlife to other location you will not be able to transfer the whole food chain; therefore, in effect, you will be condemning members of the various species moved to a certain death as wherever they are moved will overpopulate that area, depreciating the food chain drastically and causing the numbers to shrink due to the lack of available food.
6) This is one of only a few spot in the U.K. where Adders are prevalent . Given that they are protected under European Law it would be in appropriate to move them.
7) The habitat of the VERTIGO MOULINSIANA - Snail - would be destroyed and this is protected by European Law.
8) Great Yarmouth does not have any similar area for its population to visit
a) for the education of its children and future generations
b) for the infirmed to be taken for a change of scenery, fresh air
c) for people to exercise, relax and relieve themselves of the stress of modern living
d) for people to take their parents and grandparents for a picnic
e) for parents to take their children for picnics
f) dog walkers will have no other alternative but to take their dogs along Great Yarmouth Beaches
g) dog walkers will have no other alternative but to take their dogs along Gorleston Beach
h) Horse Riders will have no other alternative but to ride along Great Yarmouth Beaches
i) Horse Riders will have no other alternative but to ride along Gorleston Beach
9) People for miles around come to this particular Forest for rest, relaxation and to de-stress the rigours of modern living because similar facilities in their area s have been decimated and mutilated.
10) The 'Trunk' roads around the area will not be able to handle the increased heavy duty traffic
11) The small villages will not be able to handle the traffic when there is an accident on the A.12 / A.47 / A.143 and A.146 as frequently happens
12) Access to the specific area will be limited and difficult.
13) There are currently numerous Electricity Pylons [16 / 18 let alone the ones at either end which will have to be diverted ] running through the middle of the forest which will cost several million pounds to move
14) There will be numerous compensation claims from the residents in at least 5 mile radius whose lives will be blighted should this situation go ahead .
15) There will be a further erosion of the Suffolk Sandling Heath
16) There will be pollution to the River Waveney
17) The "sub-aquafa" would be contaminated
18) There are Unique Relic's from both WW I and WW II that need to be preserved
19) There is the ancient Bell Hill Battery
20) It is alleged that the integrity of Haddiscoe Bridge is in question [ if not the bridge itself then the approaches onto it ] . This will accelerate considerably, with the increased H.G.V., traffic should the pit go ahead
21) N.C.C., are in print stating that they want to minimise the impact on the quality of life and the environment = should this pit go ahead it will impact greatly on the lives of numerous small villages / Hamlet & Towns in the South East of Norfolk and North East Suffolk
22) Great Yarmouth is about 140 acres short of the required civil amenities for the area and this will further exacerbate the situation. Possibly more when all the local house building is completed.
23) [a] Essex & Suffolk water table would come under stress from the excess usage.
[b] The Water Framework Directive 2017 needs to be taken into consideration
24) Part of Great Yarmouth Beach are set aside for Little Terns which are endangered. This is has a SS1 classification but this will be in danger if the Forest is lost to dog-walkers & people trying to find an alternative for rest & relaxation.
25) Other pits in the area [ Browston / Burgh Castle & Raveningham ] to not make it viable for another pit in my opinion
26) I understand that the quality of the sand is not that good
27) The Gravel could not be extracted by river as this would cause untold damage to the riverbanks and there is serious doubt if it would actually be commercially viable.
28) In March 2009, it was reported that the whole of the Broads are in jeopardy due to climate change; this will exacerbate the situation.
29) There is a strong likelihood that once the sand & / or gravel has been exhausted that the area will be turned into landfill which will also cause unnecessary pollution to the River Waveney and Fritton Lake which is a reservoir and supplies the local population with fresh water for drinking.
30) English Heritage are likely to get an S.M.S. [ Special Monumental Site ] upon at least part of the forest
31) There is a sharp corner where New Road meets the A.143 where the old Jolly Angler pub used to be which is virtually impassable if you get two large vehicles meet going in opposite directions. In my opinion it is an accident waiting to happen at the moment let alone with increased heavy duty vehicle traffic. It has been documented that there have been several vehicles mounting the pavement in order to negotiate the bend and Highways are unable to do anything about it as the Norfolk County Councillor has had several meetings with them about it.
32) New Road is the only access into the Forest and it is not suitable for H.G.V., traffic. In several spots it is only suitable for one car and is therefore totally unsuitable for two H.G.V's going in opposite directions.
33) Access from a new entrance on the A.143 would be dangerous because it would be on a hill.
34) There is currently a speeding problem along the stretch of road between Fritton & St. Olaves which the Police and Highways have been aware of for some years now but appear unable or unwilling [ my opinion ] to do something about it.
35) Being so close to the James Paget Hospital the additional traffic could have a serious influence on the already under pressure Ambulance service and add to the stress level of the hard working employee's
36) Great Yarmouth Borough Council have objected to the destruction of the Forest for use as a Gravel pit
37) Fritton & St. Olaves Parish Councillors have objected to the destruction of the Forest for use as a Gravel pit
38) Local Papers recorded Norfolk County Council being handed petition's with signatures in excess of 15,000 against the proposal at a previous attempt.
39) The major land owner in the area has a project to re-introduce Eel's into the River Waveney and Fritton Lake but this is likely to be disturbed.
40) Valuable Reed Beds would be destroyed
41) Invaluable Public Footpaths & Rights of way would need to be destroyed.
42) It would have a detrimental effect on Local Tourism
43) It would seriously affect the solitary bus route which Older people, those who do not have the use of a vehicle require and rely upon to get to the James Paget hospital and into Great Yarmouth and Beccles. Then you have the children travelling to & from school.
44) There would be serious dust pollution over a vast area
45) There would be serious noise pollution
46) There would be serious Light pollution
47) Serious pollution will be encountered from the 40 plus vehicles per day together the with the ancillary machinery.
48) People in the area who already have health problems would be adversely affected in particular those with the various types of breathing problems
49) Petitions against the Gravel Pit received over 20,000 signatures
50) There are several stretches of the A.143 road between Great Yarmouth and Beccles where it is questionable that 2 heavy lorries could pass safely going in opposite directions because the road is not wide enough.
51) There are several schools on &/or near the A.143 which would be vunerable.
52) Wetlands in the area could stagnate, encourage flooding and breeding of mosquitoes e.t.c., which would be a further health hazard to residents in the surrounding areas not to mention Local Tourism.