Object
Initial Consultation document
Representation ID: 91893
Received: 30/07/2018
Respondent: Ms T Brownlow
I am writing to appeal against the proposal for mineral pit development in Fritton Woodlands.
I have enjoyed use of the Woods for over 40 years. I lived in the village for a number of years and, like countless others, enjoyed many hours of horse riding, dog walking and picnics in the Woods. Since leaving the village, I have chosen to return regularly to walk my dogs and take my children to enjoy the unique surroundings - using the location to educate them about the importance of the historic bunkers secreted in the woodlands and the role these played in helping Britain's War efforts, and the beautiful wildlife to be found in the Woods.
I now work as head of Health and Wellbeing at Suffolk Sport, and could not be more focused on trying to preserve opportunities for people to take 'green exercise' - i.e. outdoor exercise in rural environments. If you are unaware of the huge benefits green exercise can bring, please see the following article, which gives a good introduction to the much researched area of the benefits to health - particularly mental health, that exercising in areas such as Fritton Woodlands can bring.
https://www.outdoorrecreation.org.uk/wp-content/themes/orn/pdf-archive/2005%20-%20VOL%2013-1%20Spring.pdf#page=3
There is also significant national media interest in the idea of green exercise provision, and any internet search will highlight a number of articles that have been written in major newspapers. The surrounding areas - particularly Great Yarmouth, Lowestoft, and Gorleston have significant areas of depravation, and endangering the use a free local facility in which to encourage physical activity, would be very ill advised, particularly in light of media interest into preserving free access to places that encourage people to be less sedentary. Mental and Physical Health problems (particularly Cardiac Disease and Type 2 Diabetes) are high in the local area, and residents need to be encouraged to use the natural environment to become active, which will help to raise mood and improve their physical health. A beautiful, and free to use facility, is something of immense value and we should not be allowing it to come under threat from air pollution and increased heavy traffic.
Horse riders and dog walkers need space to exercise safely with their animals, and traffic levels in the area mean these opportunities are few and far between. I cannot envisage a way to combine the current proposal with safe public access, given the significant pollution and increased traffic hazards that would be encountered.
Additionally, I can only imagine how damaging the increased air pollution and heavy goods traffic would be on the unfortunate villagers of Fritton. As a former resident of the village, the peaceful environment was cherished by those who chose to live there. A proposal of this nature would be something that violates the very essence of the village in which they have chosen to live.
I would like to be kept informed of any updates - removal of safe access to a prime green exercise site such as Fritton Woodlands would be something I would wish to raise with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).
I am writing to appeal against the proposal for mineral pit development in Fritton Woodlands.
I have enjoyed use of the Woods for over 40 years. I lived in the village for a number of years and, like countless others, enjoyed many hours of horse riding, dog walking and picnics in the Woods. Since leaving the village, I have chosen to return regularly to walk my dogs and take my children to enjoy the unique surroundings - using the location to educate them about the importance of the historic bunkers secreted in the woodlands and the role these played in helping Britain's War efforts, and the beautiful wildlife to be found in the Woods.
I now work as head of Health and Wellbeing at Suffolk Sport, and could not be more focused on trying to preserve opportunities for people to take 'green exercise' - i.e. outdoor exercise in rural environments. If you are unaware of the huge benefits green exercise can bring, please see the following article, which gives a good introduction to the much researched area of the benefits to health - particularly mental health, that exercising in areas such as Fritton Woodlands can bring.
https://www.outdoorrecreation.org.uk/wp-content/themes/orn/pdf-archive/2005%20-%20VOL%2013-1%20Spring.pdf#page=3
There is also significant national media interest in the idea of green exercise provision, and any internet search will highlight a number of articles that have been written in major newspapers. The surrounding areas - particularly Great Yarmouth, Lowestoft, and Gorleston have significant areas of depravation, and endangering the use a free local facility in which to encourage physical activity, would be very ill advised, particularly in light of media interest into preserving free access to places that encourage people to be less sedentary. Mental and Physical Health problems (particularly Cardiac Disease and Type 2 Diabetes) are high in the local area, and residents need to be encouraged to use the natural environment to become active, which will help to raise mood and improve their physical health. A beautiful, and free to use facility, is something of immense value and we should not be allowing it to come under threat from air pollution and increased heavy traffic.
Horse riders and dog walkers need space to exercise safely with their animals, and traffic levels in the area mean these opportunities are few and far between. I cannot envisage a way to combine the current proposal with safe public access, given the significant pollution and increased traffic hazards that would be encountered.
Additionally, I can only imagine how damaging the increased air pollution and heavy goods traffic would be on the unfortunate villagers of Fritton. As a former resident of the village, the peaceful environment was cherished by those who chose to live there. A proposal of this nature would be something that violates the very essence of the village in which they have chosen to live.
I would like to be kept informed of any updates - removal of safe access to a prime green exercise site such as Fritton Woodlands would be something I would wish to raise with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).