Object
Preferred Options consultation document
Representation ID: 98265
Received: 29/09/2019
Respondent: Mr Richard Warner
I object to the destruction of Waveney Forest (Min38), so that the area can be used as a quarry
Proposed Area: This 'new' area covers most of the Heritage Sites, especially the unique 'Secret Army' underground chambers, some of which have been 'vandalised' during the last few years, and are in urgent need of protection. This proposed area will also see the destruction of one quarter of the old railway line.
Amenity: Half of Fritton Village is immediately to the east and south of Waveney Forest and would receive the full brunt of the noise and dust of quarry workings, not to mention the two dwellings in the Forest itself. This amenity forest is the only one available in the SE of Norfolk; walking in forests has been medically shown to improve health for those with either mental or physical problems.
Highway Access: As anyone with local knowledge will tell you the A143 is an extremely busy road, with the addition of many heavy lorry movements this will lock up the junction with New Road in Fritton, and gridlock the Bell roadbridge and Herringfleet road junction at St.Olaves. I cannot imagine why Norfolk Highways is unaware of this!
Historic Environment: Waveney Forest would have been entirely forest before clearance for farming, it later became woods and heathland and was known as 'Fritton Common'. If this is dug up, it will constitute an ugly scar clearly seen from the river. During WW2, Waveney Forest was used by the Army.
Archaeology: Waveney Forest is peppered with WW2 archaeology, especially in the 'proposed area', such as, but not limited to:
NHER 43361 Site of a WW2 military training site and camp.
NHER 43362 Site of WW1 & 2 firing range.
NHER 43363 Site of possible WW1 practice trenches.
Details of the above can be found on Norfolk County Council website. At least 33 sites have been observed in Waveney Forest by the locals, 25 of which are in the 'proposed area'. Especially of note are the recently discovered 18 unique 'Secret Army' underground chambers; in the last few years one of these has been dug out completely and a number of others severley damaged by heavy machinery - they are in desperate need of protection!
Landscape: Waveney Forest is situated in Broadland, indeed half of it is within the Broads National Park. The land rises up from the river to 16 metres, such that any quarrying activities would be clearly visible from the river, over the tops of the present trees. Any new planted tree screen will reach sufficient height by the time the quarry is exhausted. The public right of way down to Fritton Staithe is well used, and the sight, sound and dust from the quarry will make this path unusable.
Biodiversity: A simple check with Norfolk Biodiversity Information Service on enquiries.nbis@norfolk.gov.uk will show that there are 440 different species of Fauna and Flora in Waveny Forest, which will all be destroyed with the loss of the Forest.
Global Warming: It is now clear to 99% of the world (with the exemption of Donald Trump) that Global Warming is a fact, and is caused by, amongst other things, the cutting down of forests! as has been seen recently in the Amazon basin! Therefore cutting down Waveney Forest cannot be seen as anything but a Criminal Act, especially when there are unpopulated and unwooded areas available for sand and gravel quarrying.
I object to the destruction of Waveney Forest (Min38), so that the area can be used as a quarry
Proposed Area: This 'new' area covers most of the Heritage Sites, especially the unique 'Secret Army' underground chambers, some of which have been 'vandalised' during the last few years, and are in urgent need of protection. This proposed area will also see the destruction of one quarter of the old railway line.
Amenity: Half of Fritton Village is immediately to the east and south of Waveney Forest and would receive the full brunt of the noise and dust of quarry workings, not to mention the two dwellings in the Forest itself. This amenity forest is the only one available in the SE of Norfolk; walking in forests has been medically shown to improve health for those with either mental or physical problems.
Highway Access: As anyone with local knowledge will tell you the A143 is an extremely busy road, with the addition of many heavy lorry movements this will lock up the junction with New Road in Fritton, and gridlock the Bell roadbridge and Herringfleet road junction at St.Olaves. I cannot imagine why Norfolk Highways is unaware of this!
Historic Environment: Waveney Forest would have been entirely forest before clearance for farming, it later became woods and heathland and was known as 'Fritton Common'. If this is dug up, it will constitute an ugly scar clearly seen from the river. During WW2, Waveney Forest was used by the Army.
Archaeology: Waveney Forest is peppered with WW2 archaeology, especially in the 'proposed area', such as, but not limited to:
NHER 43361 Site of a WW2 military training site and camp.
NHER 43362 Site of WW1 & 2 firing range.
NHER 43363 Site of possible WW1 practice trenches.
Details of the above can be found on Norfolk County Council website. At least 33 sites have been observed in Waveney Forest by the locals, 25 of which are in the 'proposed area'. Especially of note are the recently discovered 18 unique 'Secret Army' underground chambers; in the last few years one of these has been dug out completely and a number of others severley damaged by heavy machinery - they are in desperate need of protection!
Landscape: Waveney Forest is situated in Broadland, indeed half of it is within the Broads National Park. The land rises up from the river to 16 metres, such that any quarrying activities would be clearly visible from the river, over the tops of the present trees. Any new planted tree screen will reach sufficient height by the time the quarry is exhausted. The public right of way down to Fritton Staithe is well used, and the sight, sound and dust from the quarry will make this path unusable.
Biodiversity: A simple check with Norfolk Biodiversity Information Service on enquiries.nbis@norfolk.gov.uk will show that there are 440 different species of Fauna and Flora in Waveny Forest, which will all be destroyed with the loss of the Forest.
Global Warming: It is now clear to 99% of the world (with the exemption of Donald Trump) that Global Warming is a fact, and is caused by, amongst other things, the cutting down of forests! as has been seen recently in the Amazon basin! Therefore cutting down Waveney Forest cannot be seen as anything but a Criminal Act, especially when there are unpopulated and unwooded areas available for sand and gravel quarrying.