Object
Initial Consultation document
Representation ID: 91998
Received: 08/08/2018
Respondent: Ms Debbie Benns
As a resident of Marham I would like to lodge my objection to the planned Sibelco silica sand extraction site between Shouldham and Marham.
My objection is for the following reasons:-
1. At this current time, no restoration plans have been proposed. This is an extremely important issue, as many previous extraction sites have been left in a very poor and dangerous condition. I do think that this needs to be consulted on before any further planning goes ahead.
2. There have been no working hours restrictions proposed by Sibelco, with the representative stating that 24 hour extraction could take place if the dredging method is used. This obviously causes great concern regarding light and noise pollution, in what is deemed as a dark sky area. There are also horseshoe and other species of bat in the area, which would also be affected by light pollution.
3. Screening of the quarry is likely to be largely ineffective for Marham residents due to the elevation above the site. The screening by bunding would also be inappropriate for a river valley setting, especially with the historic connections between Pentney Abbey and Marham Priory. This would obstruct a view that has been there for nearly a thousand years and the reason we choose to live there!
4. The road network in the area is not designed to withstand an increase of large machinery traffic, which comes as part of the territory with these types of extractions. There is no access point I can determine, which does not use small poorly maintained roads.
5. The site is extremely close to the River Nar, which is an important chalk stream habitat, which is of high amenity value to the residents of the area. As well as the amenity value, there is a high conservation value, with populations of water voles and great crested newts spotted on a regular basis. Any further quarrying in this area or indeed construction of a dredging pipeline, could have disastrous consequences for important and rare species.
6. There is also the health issue to consider. This area has already has a higher than average level of COPD and other respiratory issues. This along with a large percentage of elderly residents ( there are two retirement parks in the village), could have long term consequences for the health of Marham residents.
Please take the above points as my formal objection to this proposal.
As a resident of Marham I would like to lodge my objection to the planned Sibelco silica sand extraction site between Shouldham and Marham.
My objection is for the following reasons:-
1. At this current time, no restoration plans have been proposed. This is an extremely important issue, as many previous extraction sites have been left in a very poor and dangerous condition. I do think that this needs to be consulted on before any further planning goes ahead.
2. There have been no working hours restrictions proposed by Sibelco, with the representative stating that 24 hour extraction could take place if the dredging method is used. This obviously causes great concern regarding light and noise pollution, in what is deemed as a dark sky area. There are also horseshoe and other species of bat in the area, which would also be affected by light pollution.
3. Screening of the quarry is likely to be largely ineffective for Marham residents due to the elevation above the site. The screening by bunding would also be inappropriate for a river valley setting, especially with the historic connections between Pentney Abbey and Marham Priory. This would obstruct a view that has been there for nearly a thousand years and the reason we choose to live there!
4. The road network in the area is not designed to withstand an increase of large machinery traffic, which comes as part of the territory with these types of extractions. There is no access point I can determine, which does not use small poorly maintained roads.
5. The site is extremely close to the River Nar, which is an important chalk stream habitat, which is of high amenity value to the residents of the area. As well as the amenity value, there is a high conservation value, with populations of water voles and great crested newts spotted on a regular basis. Any further quarrying in this area or indeed construction of a dredging pipeline, could have disastrous consequences for important and rare species.
6. There is also the health issue to consider. This area has already has a higher than average level of COPD and other respiratory issues. This along with a large percentage of elderly residents ( there are two retirement parks in the village), could have long term consequences for the health of Marham residents.
Please take the above points as my formal objection to this proposal.