Proposed sites for mineral extraction from Shouldham Warren and surrounding area.
Dear Ms Jeffrey,
I am writing to express my concerns regarding the above proposals, how it will affect the local and wider communities in Norfolk and many other aspects as identified in this letter. I am sure that you are well aware of the recent programme 'Inside Out East', which discusses the importance of "re-wilding" West Norfolk. There has also been much made of the importance of physical & mental health via "Gardener's World" of green spaces, nature and gardening. 'Visitnorfolk.co' advertises the Shouldham Warren and surrounding areas on its website.
Climate change:
At the moment there is so much emphasis on the importance of dealing with climate change. As a result, we must ensure that we are preserving our green spaces for future generations. Why are we considering further mineral extraction in West Norfolk when we are supposed to be re-wilding the area?? It seems to be quite a contradiction to set targets to plant 64,000 new trees and then cut all of them down Shouldham Warren. We know that the government puts pressure on the County Council to extract sand BUT perhaps if we had much better recycling systems in place this might not be necessary.
The local communities are regularly lambasted about recycling, but what's the point of us continuing when much of what we recycle either is incinerated, placed in landfill or is sent abroad?? This is a much more important issue the borough and County Council should be addressing to help reduce our impact on climate change.
The importance of trees to reduce CO2 emissions is vital, so why cut them down so a Belgian company, Sibelco can make a profit that goes out of this country and doesn't benefit us at all but instead destroys our natural habitats, countryside and impacts on all of our health??
There are many species within Shouldham Warren which will be destroyed if we allow Sibelco to go ahead, bats, rare moths, rare wild flowers and of course deer, foxes, squirrels, etc etc. Can the council demonstrate that they have surveyed the woods to identify the presence of bats? I work at Oxburgh Hall and there are bats in the rooms which the National Trust has to leave despite any damage they may do, surely the same applies to the woods??
Health and Wellbeing:
As a retired nurse of 40 years, much of this in mental health, I am well aware of the importance of green, open spaces in helping to manage both physical and mental health. As I have already stated it is being increasingly discovered that gardening, being out in green spaces is very beneficial. Dog walking is also seen as important: prolonging by 30% life spans. There are many people who travel distance to walk their dogs in Shouldham Warren. They come because they enjoy the woods, have somewhere to walk their dogs and it benefits their physical and mental health. Anti-depressant use in West Norfolk is high with a prevalence of anxiety and depression in the local population.
There are many other groups such as cyclists, Nordic walkers, running groups who use the woods. Surely this is highly beneficial and effective in tackling health issues such as obesity, mental health, cardiac problems, etc etc??? Why be so short-sighted in destroying an area which is used by families and so many groups??
Recycling and preservation of future mineral resource:
We known that there is a lot of sand in the local areas, but quarrying has a detrimental impact as already stated.
I am sure that residents would rather pay a bit more on council tax to have better recycling than losing their natural environments and wildlife??
We would prefer to have less quarrying for sand and better reuse of glass!!
Economics:
There are no additional employment benefits of any substance that would benefit the local community of West Norfolk. All profits from quarrying go to the Belgian company, why are we doing this, who is benefiting? Someone in government? You begin to wonder what the motivation is!!
Has anyone considered the impact on tourism or the loss of countryside? Many tourist come back to these areas and spend money which benefits the local economy. Do we want so many quarries in West Norfolk, is it such a poor relation that the County Council doesn't care? Unfortunately, this is short sighted as money needs to be spent on people due to loss of earnings and the detrimental impact on health and social services, if we do nothing to preserve our countryside.
Aircraft Bird Strike Hazard:
RAF Marham is close to the woods. We know that the MOD vetoed past plans. Developing new quarries so close to where aircraft fly is dangerous and potentially could impact gravely on the surrounding villages and traffic.
If this project was to go ahead there will be an increase in traffic. Much of West Norfolk becomes gridlocked already, particularly during the summer months, this will impact on and deter tourists. It will affect the local economy as lorries will be delayed elsewhere due to lorries from quarry sites. Pollution will rise and more health problems will develop.
Not a very good prospect for future generations is it? All to allow profit for someone who doesn't care about West Norfolk.
We cannot allow this quarry plan to go ahead we need our woods and local countryside.
I strongly object to this.