Object
Preferred Options consultation document
Representation ID: 98055
Received: 28/10/2019
Respondent: Andrew Wildman
I am writing to you concerning the planning application for aggregate extraction from Mansom Plantation on Shortthorn Road Stratton Strawless.
I would like to voice my objection to this proposal for several reasons the main ones being the environmental impact this is going to have on the local eco-system and the damage it will have on the infrastructure of our village.
In the planning consent that was approved in 2006 for the development of a Holiday Lodge Park there were several stipulations which the developers had to comply with concerning reducing the environmental effect this development would have on the area in question, I draw your attention the additional plan dated 5 Dec 2007, 2004 1641(Add) and to clause 1.1.2 in which it states
The development itself is to be called Holly Springs. The landscape management plan provides a detailed strategy for:-
The retention and management of existing features on the site, including the proposed areas of retained coniferous plantation, deciduous woodland and shelterbelts, and ponds
The creation and restoration of new habitats on the site including the proposed heathland areas.
The maintenance of newly created landscape areas
The long-term implementation and monitoring of management strategies to achieve the Vision for Holly Springs
Also in the Additional Plan, dated 5 Dec 2007, it states: "Prior to the commencement of development a Landscape Management Plan covering a period of 25 years, and including protective measures for trees to be retained, new trees and regenerated growth, restored heathland and enhancement of ponds shall be submitted to and approved by the Local Planning Authority. The provisions of the approved scheme shall be implemented as soon as development begins."
The Environmental Statement dated September 2004 states: "The possible effects upon the environment were given considerable investigation at the time of the appeal and whilst there may be merit in revisiting the matter, we do not believe that the proposed scheme will give rise to any effects materially different then those explored at that time. Moreover, there may be the opportunity to apply more recent techniques (as indicated by you) to further improve the environmental gains that can be achieved from this site.
Biodiversity: Again this was an issue during the appeal. The project will positively contribute to the improvement of biodiversity on this site.
This is only a small sample of the restrictions that were placed on the original planning approval and as can be seen, the local planning department of the time gave considerable importance as to what impact it would have on the local eco-system and environment and every single one has been dismissed in the light of the new proposal for a quarry, the earlier council were also concerned what impact it would have on the village and surrounding area, but I notice in the new proposed scheme for Mansom Plantation it would appear that the environment and the long term impact this will have on our village is of secondary consideration to the short term economic benefit of a very few people.
There was a wildlife survey carried out for the benefit the last planning application and in the twelve years or so since then there will be undoubtedly be many more species now inhabiting this woodland, I take it that a new in-depth survey will be carried out over a long period to ascertain what species which may be there now could be on the Red, Amber or Green list for endangered species, one that certainly will be there the nightjar, this bird through careful management of woodland is making a comeback and areas of woodland like this are essential for this particular bird and as this is a summer visitor a quick survey will not detect this bird, another one is the woodcock also on the red list which needs all the help it can get, in both these cases habitat loss is one of the main causes of decline which emphasises the importance of woodland.
The felling of fifty acres of semi-mature trees at a time when there is a worldwide environmental crisis as regards climate change which is exasperated by the destruction of the world's forests and woodlands is tantamount to ecological vandalism, this planned aggregate extraction site if it goes ahead will have a very lasting negative effect on Stratton Strawless which will gain absolutely no economic benefit whatsoever from it and the landowner certainly has no sentiments regarding our village and has seen this only as a get rich quick scheme. For reasons known only to them why the proposed holiday complex wasn't started, which would have been beneficial to both Norfolk and the village.
One small benefit to the village if this quarry is approved is that the company responsible for it, Cemex, should as part of the approval have to install a roundabout on the A140 and Shortthorn Road/ Parish Road junction due to the increase in the traffic from Shortthorn Road and the Cromer direction brought about by all the new housing developments around Aylsham will almost certainly be a recipe for a serious accident.
In conclusion because of the reasons above I therefore strongly disapprove and object to the proposed application for Mansom Plantation to be used for the extraction of sand and gravel
I am writing to you concerning the planning application for aggregate extraction from Mansom Plantation on Shortthorn Road Stratton Strawless.
I would like to voice my objection to this proposal for several reasons the main ones being the environmental impact this is going to have on the local eco-system and the damage it will have on the infrastructure of our village.
In the planning consent that was approved in 2006 for the development of a Holiday Lodge Park there were several stipulations which the developers had to comply with concerning reducing the environmental effect this development would have on the area in question, I draw your attention the additional plan dated 5 Dec 2007, 2004 1641(Add) and to clause 1.1.2 in which it states
The development itself is to be called Holly Springs. The landscape management plan provides a detailed strategy for:-
The retention and management of existing features on the site, including the proposed areas of retained coniferous plantation, deciduous woodland and shelterbelts, and ponds
The creation and restoration of new habitats on the site including the proposed heathland areas.
The maintenance of newly created landscape areas
The long-term implementation and monitoring of management strategies to achieve the Vision for Holly Springs
Also in the Additional Plan, dated 5 Dec 2007, it states: "Prior to the commencement of development a Landscape Management Plan covering a period of 25 years, and including protective measures for trees to be retained, new trees and regenerated growth, restored heathland and enhancement of ponds shall be submitted to and approved by the Local Planning Authority. The provisions of the approved scheme shall be implemented as soon as development begins."
The Environmental Statement dated September 2004 states: "The possible effects upon the environment were given considerable investigation at the time of the appeal and whilst there may be merit in revisiting the matter, we do not believe that the proposed scheme will give rise to any effects materially different then those explored at that time. Moreover, there may be the opportunity to apply more recent techniques (as indicated by you) to further improve the environmental gains that can be achieved from this site.
Biodiversity: Again this was an issue during the appeal. The project will positively contribute to the improvement of biodiversity on this site.
This is only a small sample of the restrictions that were placed on the original planning approval and as can be seen, the local planning department of the time gave considerable importance as to what impact it would have on the local eco-system and environment and every single one has been dismissed in the light of the new proposal for a quarry, the earlier council were also concerned what impact it would have on the village and surrounding area, but I notice in the new proposed scheme for Mansom Plantation it would appear that the environment and the long term impact this will have on our village is of secondary consideration to the short term economic benefit of a very few people.
There was a wildlife survey carried out for the benefit the last planning application and in the twelve years or so since then there will be undoubtedly be many more species now inhabiting this woodland, I take it that a new in-depth survey will be carried out over a long period to ascertain what species which may be there now could be on the Red, Amber or Green list for endangered species, one that certainly will be there the nightjar, this bird through careful management of woodland is making a comeback and areas of woodland like this are essential for this particular bird and as this is a summer visitor a quick survey will not detect this bird, another one is the woodcock also on the red list which needs all the help it can get, in both these cases habitat loss is one of the main causes of decline which emphasises the importance of woodland.
The felling of fifty acres of semi-mature trees at a time when there is a worldwide environmental crisis as regards climate change which is exasperated by the destruction of the world's forests and woodlands is tantamount to ecological vandalism, this planned aggregate extraction site if it goes ahead will have a very lasting negative effect on Stratton Strawless which will gain absolutely no economic benefit whatsoever from it and the landowner certainly has no sentiments regarding our village and has seen this only as a get rich quick scheme. For reasons known only to them why the proposed holiday complex wasn't started, which would have been beneficial to both Norfolk and the village.
One small benefit to the village if this quarry is approved is that the company responsible for it, Cemex, should as part of the approval have to install a roundabout on the A140 and Shortthorn Road/ Parish Road junction due to the increase in the traffic from Shortthorn Road and the Cromer direction brought about by all the new housing developments around Aylsham will almost certainly be a recipe for a serious accident.
In conclusion because of the reasons above I therefore strongly disapprove and object to the proposed application for Mansom Plantation to be used for the extraction of sand and gravel