I wish to object to the proposal to extract gravel and sand from the Mansom plantation in Stratton Strawless. As you know the area is the centre of our village with Hevingham to the north and Hainford to the south, ie surrounded by houses.
Local nuisance
It is inappropriate to introduce a very noisy industrial element and increased traffic to a quiet residential area so close to Norwich. The local population will not be happy with the councils decision.
Increased accident danger
We all know how frustrating it is when attempting to cross a busy road and a panel van pulls up beside you totally blocking the view. If the estimated 76 highway movements are between 8am and 5 pm, it means every 15 minutes a large gravel lorry will draw up alongside someone in order to access the very busy A140, far worse than a panel van. Even worse for elderly drivers and cyclists wishing to get round our village.
Interference with natural water flow
The soil structure in that area is notoriously complex with several streams and springs along with a combination of siliceous (sometimes perched) and calcareous aquifers with unpredictable permeability and porosity. Interference through dewatering and subsequent aquifer removal will affect both the chemical quality and water availability for both nearby abstractions and spring fed hydrology. Modelling the flow of water through the unsaturated zone is unreliable without extensive baseline monitoring especially when the gravel extraction requires the removal of so many trees. This will also reduce the natural resilience to both floods and droughts. Has the environmental impact assessment collected sufficient data over a long enough period to be confident these impacts are adequately characterized? I would suggest many independent geologists would find this easy to challenge at an inquiry and a precautionary approach should be taken that avoids gravel extraction beneath the water table where there are nearby surface water features and abstractors. I gather the existing abstraction licence holders may sue if their water supply is harmed. I have a licence in perpetuity for 54,000 cu m per annum which is essential to my farm, and I would not hesitate to take action if my flow was compromised.
Devastation of the environment
The Mansom Plantation is part of a 5.5 mile belt of woodland running from the A1067 to the A140 and beyond, which provides green lungs for north Norwich and a safe refuge and corridor for diverse wildlife. The jewel in the crown are the great crested newts which have been identified here by an ecologist. Im sure you are aware of the Norfolk Pond Project pioneered by Carl Sayer and London University in conjunction with my brother in law, Richard Waddingham of Manor Farm, Briston, also NWT and FWAG. Richard spent 20 years tending the 40 ponds on his farm before he found great crested newts had moved in, to great excitement.
I cant see any good reason for the NCC to allow such a special site to be plundered and the lives of the residents ruined just for the private gain of one company.
The popular feeling at the moment is the preservation of the environment and green spaces. Being so close to Norwich and surrounded by houses I think Mansom Plantation deserves your protection.