Object

Representation ID: 98217

Received: 19/09/2019

Respondent: Mr R Carruthers

Re: CONSULTATION Min. 38, Fritton
Thank you for your invitation to comment on the above.
I trust that you will accept all my previous objections and I categorically state that they all still stand.
I fully support the conclusions listed and the omission of MIN38 from the list of preferred options.
The site is not only not suitable but would be immensely catastrophic if it were to go ahead.
1) What makes interesting reading is the Governments '' Strategy for England's Trees, Woods and Forests''
http://www.defra.gov.uk/.../rdd.../pdf/0706forestry-strategy.pdf
To quote the foreword of Barry Gardiner Parliamentary Under-secretary, D.E.F.R.A., 'Trees and Woodland make a big difference to the quality of people's lives, improving the places in which they live and work' he goes on to say that 'Climate change is the biggest of those challenges. Our trees and their associated soils make a valuable contribution to reducing Carbon Emissions'. In addition he says that 'Native woodland plants and animals need a network of wooded habitats along which they can move as the climate of their present habitats change'.
2) [i]In this day and age when there is such an outcry about Global Warming, The Climate Change Act 2008 (c 27) is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. The Act makes it the duty of the Secretary of State to ensure that the net UK carbon account for all six Kyoto greenhouse gases for the year 2050 is at least 80% lower than the 1990 baseline, toward avoiding dangerous climate change. The Act aims to enable the United Kingdom to become a low-carbon economy and gives ministers powers to introduce the measures necessary to achieve a range of greenhouse gas reduction targets. An independent Committee on Climate Change has been created under the Act to provide advice to UK Government on these targets and related policies. In the act Secretary of State refers to the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change. In our opinion, to mutilate this forest is not doing more to help the Planet but further destroying it.
[ii] It is doubtful that cutting down so many trees is in the Paris Agreement on Climate change
3) This would go completely against the "Clean Air Strategy 2018" which Michael Gove MP is Championing
4) Will Norfolk County Council Guarantee that the atmospheric emissions and air pollution, such as Nitrogen Oxides e.t.c., do not cause problems for humans and wildlife.
5) You will not be able to move the plant life and Fungi.
6)The "Pond Life" in the tributaries of the River Waveney, of which some is a food source for other wildlife would also suffer
7) Whilst it could be possible to catch and transfer the bird and wildlife to other location you will not be able to transfer the whole food chain; therefore, in effect, you will be condemning members of the various species moved to a certain death as wherever they are moved will overpopulate that area, depreciating the food chain drastically and causing the numbers to shrink due to the lack of available food.
8) This is one of only a few spot in the U.K. where Adders are prevalent . Given that they are protected under European Law it would be in appropriate to move them.
9) (i) The habitat of the VERTIGO MOULINSIANA - Snail - would be destroyed and this is protected by European Law.
(ii) The habitat of the Vertigo Angustior would also be threatened
10) The Forest is home to Slow Worms that are protected under the UK Wildlife Countryside Act 1981 as a Priority species
11) The Forest is home to Bats which are protected
Bats and the Law
In Britain all bat species and their roosts are legally protected, by both domestic and international legislation.
This means you will be committing a criminal offence if you:
1. Deliberately capture, injure or kill a bat
2. Intentionally or recklessly disturb a bat in its roost or deliberately disturb a group of bats
3. Damage or destroy a bat roosting place (even if bats are not occupying the roost at the time)
4. Possess or advertise/sell/exchange a bat (dead or alive) or any part of a bat
5. Intentionally or recklessly obstruct access to a bat roost
12) Great Yarmouth does not have any similar area for its population to visit
a) for the education of its children and future generations
b) for the infirmed to be taken for a change of scenery, fresh air
c) for people to exercise, relax and relieve themselves of the stress of modern living
d) for people to take their parents and grandparents for a picnic
e) for parents to take their children for picnics
f) dog walkers will have no other alternative but to take their dogs along Great Yarmouth Beaches
g) dog walkers will have no other alternative but to take their dogs along Gorleston Beach
h) Horse Riders will have no other alternative but to ride along Great Yarmouth Beaches
i) Horse Riders will have no other alternative but to ride along Gorleston Beach
13) People for miles around come to this particular Forest for rest, relaxation and to de-stress the rigours of modern living because similar facilities in their area s have been decimated and mutilated.
14) The 'Trunk' roads around the area will not be able to handle the increased heavy duty traffic
15) The small villages will not be able to handle the traffic when there is an accident on the A.12 / A.47 / A.143 and A.146 as frequently happens
16) Access to the specific area will be limited and difficult.
17) There are currently numerous Electricity Pylons [16 / 18 let alone the ones at either end which will have to be diverted ] running through the middle of the forest which will cost several million pounds to move
No plant, machinery, scaffolding, or personnel should encroach within the safety zone of the overhead conductor lines.
Take care when moving ladders, elevators, irrigation pipes or other long objects. They should be moved only when horizontal or in their lowest position.
Never reduce the clearance under overhead electricity lines by dumping or tipping waste material; erecting structures, buildings or hay stacks; or creating storage areas under lines.
18) There will be numerous compensation claims from the residents in at least 5 mile radius whose lives will be blighted should this situation go ahead .
19) There will be a further erosion of the Suffolk Sandling Heath
20) There will be pollution to the River Waveney
21) The "sub-aquafa" would be contaminated
22) There are Unique Relic's from both WW I and WW II that need to be preserved
23) There is the ancient Bell Hill Battery
24) It is alleged that the integrity of Haddiscoe Bridge is in question [ if not the bridge itself then the approaches onto it ] . This will accelerate considerably, with the increased H.G.V., traffic should the pit go ahead
25) N.C.C., are in print stating that they want to minimise the impact on the quality of life and the environment = should this pit go ahead it will impact greatly on the lives of numerous small villages / Hamlet & Towns in the South East of Norfolk and North East Suffolk
26) Great Yarmouth is about 140 acres short of the required civil amenities for the area and this will further exacerbate the situation. Possibly more when all the local house building is completed.
27) [a] Essex & Suffolk water table would come under stress from the excess usage.
[b] The Water Framework Directive 2017 needs to be taken into consideration
28) Part of Great Yarmouth Beach are set aside for Little Terns which are endangered. This is has a SS1 classification but this will be in danger if the Forest is lost to dog-walkers & people trying to find an alternative for rest & relaxation.
29) Other pits in the area [ Browston / Burgh Castle & Raveningham ] to not make it viable for another pit in my opinion
30) I understand that the quality of the sand is not that good
31) The Gravel could not be extracted by river as this would cause untold damage to the riverbanks and there is serious doubt if it would actually be commercially viable.
32) In March 2009, it was reported that the whole of the Broads are in jeopardy due to climate change; this will exacerbate the situation.
33) There is a strong likelihood that once the sand & / or gravel has been exhausted that the area will be turned into landfill which will also cause unnecessary pollution to the River Waveney and Fritton Lake which is a reservoir and supplies the local population with fresh water for drinking.
34) English Heritage are likely to get an S.M.S. [ Special Monumental Site ] upon at least part of the forest
35) There is a sharp corner where New Road meets the A.143 where the old Jolly Angler pub used to be which is virtually impassable if you get two large vehicles meet going in opposite directions. In my opinion it is an accident waiting to happen at the moment let alone with increased heavy duty vehicle traffic. It has been documented that there have been several vehicles mounting the pavement in order to negotiate the bend and Highways are unable to do anything about it as the Norfolk County Councillor has had several meetings with them about it.
36) New Road is the only access into the Forest and it is not suitable for H.G.V., traffic. In several spots it is only suitable for one car and is therefore totally unsuitable for two H.G.V's going in opposite directions.
37) Access from a new entrance on the A.143 from a field next to The Warren would be unsuitable and dangerous because it would be on a hill and the entry and exit sightline is not sufficient. A suggested right turn only from said entrance would cause no end of traffic problems and delays.
38) There is currently a speeding problem along the stretch of road between Fritton & St. Olaves which the Police and Highways have been aware of for some years now but appear unable or unwilling [ my opinion ] to do something about it.
39) Being so close to the James Paget Hospital the additional traffic could have a serious influence on the already under pressure Ambulance service and add to the stress level of the hard working employee's
40) Great Yarmouth Borough Council have objected to the destruction of the Forest for use as a Gravel pit
41) Fritton & St. Olaves Parish Councillors have objected to the destruction of the Forest for use as a Gravel pit
42) Local Papers recorded Norfolk County Council being handed petition's with signatures in excess of 15,000 against the proposal at a previous attempt.
43) The major land owner in the area has a project to re-introduce Eel's into the River Waveney and Fritton Lake but this is likely to be disturbed.
44) It would have an adverse effect on tourism that The Somerleyton Estate is trying to promote to sell its Lodges
45) Valuable Reed Beds would be destroyed
46) Invaluable Public Footpaths & Rights of way would need to be destroyed.
47) It would have a detrimental effect on Local Tourism
48) It would seriously affect the solitary bus route which Older people, those who do not have the use of a vehicle require and rely upon to get to the James Paget hospital and into Great Yarmouth and Beccles. Then you have the children travelling to & from school.
49) There would be serious dust pollution over a vast area
50) Noise levels would be dramatically increased to excessive levels for residents.
51) Security lights would spoil the night sky, have an adverse effect upon the wildlife and disturb the villagers near the proposed activity.
52) Serious pollution will be encountered from the 40 plus vehicles per day together the with the ancillary machinery.
53) People in the area who already have health problems would be adversely affected in particular those with the various types of breathing problems
54) Petitions against the Gravel Pit received over 20,000 signatures
55) There are several stretches of the A.143 road between Great Yarmouth and Beccles where it is questionable that 2 heavy lorries could pass safely going in opposite directions because the road is not wide enough.
56) There are several schools on &/or near the A.143 which would be vulnerable
57) Wetlands in the area could stagnate, encourage flooding and breeding of mosquitoes e.t.c., which would be a further health hazard to residents in the surrounding areas not to mention Local Tourism.
58) Due to air turbulence over the Waveney Forest the Tree Screening would not be effective
59) It would create an additional fire hazard due to the machinery being used in the tinder dry conditions within the forest
60) There would be a danger of serious silting of the river Waveney with water being pumped into it from the forest.
61) Debris from the site which would be deposited on the A.143 initially by the lorries would be dangerous to other road users.
62) The additional H.G.V., traffic would result in increased erosion of the road and the verges
63) Discharge from the additional H.G.V., traffic is inevitable; this will get washed into the water courses cause silt ingresses into the water courses before finding its way into Fritton Lake which supplies drinking water to the area
64) There is some doubt if there are any suitable receptor sites in Norfolk
65) It would have a detrimental effect on the visual impact on the Norfolk Broads and in particular areas covered by the Broads Authority thus having an impact upon tourism for the river traffic.
66) The National Parks & Countryside Act of 1949 ; The Wildlife & Countryside Act of 1981 and the Countryside & Rights of Way Act 2000 all need to be taken into consideration
67) St.Olaves Bridge is classified as a 'Listed Building' and as such is protected.
68) Unexploded ordinance was found in the forest a few years ago and there is a suspicion that here is more to be found. This would present a danger to workers and residents.
69) The recent high temperatures, which are projected to be a regular occurrence, are having an adverse affect upon the road. To add a further 50+ lorries would have an adverse effect upon the road causing problems for other road users; in particular the Emergency Services and Local Public Transport.
70) Barn Owls and Firecrests are protected under the 1981 Wildlife and Countryside Act.
71) A team of scientists, led from Queen Mary University of London
Regular exposure to even low levels of air pollution may cause changes to the heart similar to those in the early stages of heart failure, experts say.