Object
Initial Consultation document
Representation ID: 92129
Received: 12/08/2018
Respondent: Mr Laurence Elsdon
The proposal to extract minerals from land at Swannington Bottom Plantation, Felthorpe (MIN 48) is of significant concern to the residents of Felthorpe and surrounding neighbourhoods. The consultation documents provided so far do not include sufficient detail on the method of extraction, duration of extraction, number of heavy goods vehicle or plant vehicle movements, or details of land use after mineral extraction to be able to ascertain the effects on the community.
One of Felthorpe's greatest assets is its large network of footpaths, tracks, and bridleways connecting Upgate Common, Gilham's Heath Plantation, The Lings, Steward's Plantation and of course, central to these is Swannington Bottom Plantation. There has so far been no indication of how these paths used by residents of Felthorpe and visitors from further afield will be protected from the proposed works.
The most significant concern will be the loss of a significant and well established unnamed path to the North of Sandy Lane that runs directly through the middle of the Swannington Bottom Plantation, often used by local walkers, runners, cyclists, dogs and their owners connecting Felthorpe Road to Upgate Common. While not indicated on the Ordnance Survey map provided within the consultation the beginnings of this track are labelled on Google Maps as "Combat St" and OpenStreetMap as Way 333171535 (https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/333171535) and Way 333171537 (https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/333171537).
Therefore, while it is reassuring to see that the initial conclusion of the consultation document is that the site is unsuitable I note as above, and in addition to other responses from the community and local organisations, that there are many significant reasons the proposed site is unsuitable for allocation.
The proposal to extract minerals from land at Swannington Bottom Plantation, Felthorpe (MIN 48) is of significant concern to the residents of Felthorpe and surrounding neighbourhoods. The consultation documents provided so far do not include sufficient detail on the method of extraction, duration of extraction, number of heavy goods vehicle or plant vehicle movements, or details of land use after mineral extraction to be able to ascertain the effects on the community.
One of Felthorpe's greatest assets is its large network of footpaths, tracks, and bridleways connecting Upgate Common, Gilham's Heath Plantation, The Lings, Steward's Plantation and of course, central to these is Swannington Bottom Plantation. There has so far been no indication of how these paths used by residents of Felthorpe and visitors from further afield will be protected from the proposed works.
The most significant concern will be the loss of a significant and well established unnamed path to the North of Sandy Lane that runs directly through the middle of the Swannington Bottom Plantation, often used by local walkers, runners, cyclists, dogs and their owners connecting Felthorpe Road to Upgate Common. While not indicated on the Ordnance Survey map provided within the consultation the beginnings of this track are labelled on Google Maps as "Combat St" and OpenStreetMap as Way 333171535 (https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/333171535) and Way 333171537 (https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/333171537).
Therefore, while it is reassuring to see that the initial conclusion of the consultation document is that the site is unsuitable I note as above, and in addition to other responses from the community and local organisations, that there are many significant reasons the proposed site is unsuitable for allocation.