Object
Initial Consultation document
Representation ID: 91834
Received: 24/07/2018
Respondent: Ms W Alford
I wish to object in the strongest possible terms to the proposal to extract and process sand and gravel and batch concrete on this site at Haddiscoe.
The area included in the scheme is on the top of a hill with commanding views across the marshes and rolling countryside. Our village is directly adjacent on 2 sides, our two Saxon/Norman Churches, Thorpe and Haddiscoe, overlook from opposite corners, my house overlooks both areas to the south and north of Loddon Road and the Blacksmith's Forge I run with my partner is just to the south of this, with my wild flower meadow in between.
The increase in traffic from Earsham Gravel's own lorries and those vehicles coming to the site to buy sand, gravel and concrete will cause a good deal more noise and add greatly to the danger of already busy, narrow (for main) roads: the B1136 and A143. There is no pavement from my house to the village and for villagers walking to the allotments next to the church, on the B1136, and for those of us who cycle or ride horses along these roads, it is already quite hair-raising. Cars travel very fast along the B1136 coming towards Haddiscoe, often overtaking in a dangerous manner on the stretch leading up to the 30 mph limit sign. This has a reputation as a racetrack, particularly for motorcycles, since the removal of hedges by the Manor Farm owners many years ago gives the illusion of being able to see a great distance along the road. However, the bends and dips are often not clearly discernible until almost upon them. There have been several accidents this year; the added traffic and vehicles passing in and out of the entrance to a gravel pit and plant can only exacerbate this situation.
Although I appreciate that the modern rubber-surfaced equipment is much quieter than the clanging and rattling of the all metal machinery, there will still be industrial type noises of engines, vehicles and the carrying on of trade, very intrusive in the countryside, adding another dimension to the already existing traffic noise, which is sporadic most of the day, increasing only during the early morning and evening "rush hours".
There is nothing in the proposal to give any incentive to the village by way of reward for the disruption, inconvenience and nuisance for 20 years: we are not offered access to appreciate the "landscaped" nature reserve promised after extraction is complete, the landowners can offer the amenity to a private association or keep it to themselves, albeit one public path passes through or around the area. There is no convincing offer of any local employment opportunities. Many of the villagers are retired, hoping to live out the remainder of their lives in peace without this industrial scale disruption and disturbance; they may not be around to appreciate any amenity proposal in 20 years time, were it even to be offered.
There is a large supply of gravel to be extracted over the next 14 years from the Norton/ Heckingham pits only 3-4 miles away from our village and not adjacent to people's homes, gardens and churches.
This pit proposal is unnecessary and inappropriate and I trust will not receive serious consideration from the Council.
I enclose my poem written upon first hearing the outline proposals in 2008, which further expresses my and many others' views.
I wish to object in the strongest possible terms to the proposal to extract and process sand and gravel and batch concrete on this site at Haddiscoe.
The area included in the scheme is on the top of a hill with commanding views across the marshes and rolling countryside. Our village is directly adjacent on 2 sides, our two Saxon/Norman Churches, Thorpe and Haddiscoe, overlook from opposite corners, my house overlooks both areas to the south and north of Loddon Road and the Blacksmith's Forge I run with my partner is just to the south of this, with my wild flower meadow in between.
The increase in traffic from Earsham Gravel's own lorries and those vehicles coming to the site to buy sand, gravel and concrete will cause a good deal more noise and add greatly to the danger of already busy, narrow (for main) roads: the B1136 and A143. There is no pavement from my house to the village and for villagers walking to the allotments next to the church, on the B1136, and for those of us who cycle or ride horses along these roads, it is already quite hair-raising. Cars travel very fast along the B1136 coming towards Haddiscoe, often overtaking in a dangerous manner on the stretch leading up to the 30 mph limit sign. This has a reputation as a racetrack, particularly for motorcycles, since the removal of hedges by the Manor Farm owners many years ago gives the illusion of being able to see a great distance along the road. However, the bends and dips are often not clearly discernible until almost upon them. There have been several accidents this year; the added traffic and vehicles passing in and out of the entrance to a gravel pit and plant can only exacerbate this situation.
Although I appreciate that the modern rubber-surfaced equipment is much quieter than the clanging and rattling of the all metal machinery, there will still be industrial type noises of engines, vehicles and the carrying on of trade, very intrusive in the countryside, adding another dimension to the already existing traffic noise, which is sporadic most of the day, increasing only during the early morning and evening "rush hours".
There is nothing in the proposal to give any incentive to the village by way of reward for the disruption, inconvenience and nuisance for 20 years: we are not offered access to appreciate the "landscaped" nature reserve promised after extraction is complete, the landowners can offer the amenity to a private association or keep it to themselves, albeit one public path passes through or around the area. There is no convincing offer of any local employment opportunities. Many of the villagers are retired, hoping to live out the remainder of their lives in peace without this industrial scale disruption and disturbance; they may not be around to appreciate any amenity proposal in 20 years time, were it even to be offered.
There is a large supply of gravel to be extracted over the next 14 years from the Norton/ Heckingham pits only 3-4 miles away from our village and not adjacent to people's homes, gardens and churches.
This pit proposal is unnecessary and inappropriate and I trust will not receive serious consideration from the Council.
I enclose my poem written upon first hearing the outline proposals in 2008, which further expresses my and many others' views.