Object
Preferred Options consultation document
Representation ID: 98524
Received: 02/10/2019
Respondent: Mr I McIntyre
I reside at Forest Lodge within the Waveney Forest. My house, possibly the nearest to the quarry, is positioned only some 120 metres from the nearest extraction site, the corner of my garden being 20 metres closer.
So positioned, it is evident that I would be exposed to totally unacceptable environmental impacts from noise and airborne dust.
Some 26 years ago my late wife and I took early retirement [redacted text - personal data]. We chose to live in the Waveney Forest, rather than to remain near our family in the midlands, because of the fresh air and unique tranquillity which it afforded. I therefore find the prospect a noisy, dusty extraction site close to, and dominantly upwind of me particularly distressing.
Similarly distressing I will find the loss of forest amenity much used by many hundreds escaping the hubbub of Gt.Yarmouth and Lowestoft (particularly for dog walking). Also the loss of Carbon sequestering trees sorely needed to oppose the massive worldwide accidental and deliberate burning of woodland.
The applicants have yet to provide the required independent quantitative determinations of their expected noise emissions. However, even with a very conservative estimate of these, because of the extreme tranquillity of the site and the way noise impact is assessed (the quieter it already is the less additional noise is acceptable) [Guidelines for Noise Impact Assessment 2002] the perceived sound level at Forest Lodge would be several times that represented by the 10 db threshold of the highest of the five impact categories:- termed 'major' noise impact.
The likely level of airborne dust exposure at Forest Lodge may be inferred from statistically robust multiple determinations carried out over time near a sand and gravel facility [Holmen B.A. and Shiraki R.- Airborne Respirable Silica near a Sand and Gravel Facility in Central California: XRD and Elemental Analysis To Distinguish Source and Background 'Quartz: Environ. Sci. Technol, 2002, 36 (23), pp 4956-4961]
When the data from the wind rose, previously deemed relevant by the would-be pit developers, is used together with the above fall-out data the predicted airborne dust exposure, so close in, is substantially more than is allowed in both existing and prospective U.K. National Air Quality Standards and European Directives, (See 'National air quality objectives and European Directive limit and target values for the protection of human health' - latest update.)
Also the predicted level of dust exposure is many times greater than the 2 to 5 micrograms /m3 above background measured in the benchmark report previously rightly cited as relevant by the applicants [Pless-Mulloli T. et al - Living near open cast coal mining sites and children's respiratory health.: Occup Environ Med. 2000 March; 57(3)': pp 145-151. ] (Future test exposure of human subjects to hazardous airborne dust is unlikely on ethical grounds!)
Even this latter modest level of dust exposure was associated with a marked increase in G.P. consultations (over 40%). This was in a statistically significant group of young human subjects in normal health.
Concerning health [redacted text - personal data] breathing problems could well be exacerbated by airborne quarry dust.
The applicants may well suggest 'mitigation measures' claimed to reduce the impact of their activities. There is however scant independent scientific evidence of their effectiveness. The aggregates industry, however, have the resources to sponsor independent determinations of effectiveness through bone fide academic institutions if the outcome were likely to be to their advantage. There is little indication that they have done so.
The Planning and Environment Division of H.M. Dept. of Communities and Local Government require that planning decisions entail careful consideration of the likely effects on the surrounding area and the views of local residents.
The health and welfare of their residents is the prime responsibility of all Local Authorities. Accordingly we ask that you give every consideration to allowing us to continue to live here in peace!
We look forward to your considered reply in due course.
I reside at Forest Lodge within the Waveney Forest. My house, possibly the nearest to the quarry, is positioned only some 120 metres from the nearest extraction site, the corner of my garden being 20 metres closer .
So positioned, it is evident that I would be exposed to totally unacceptable environmental impacts from noise and airborne dust.
Some 26 years ago my late wife and I took early retirement [redacted text - personal data]. We chose to live in the Waveney Forest, rather than to remain near our family in the midlands, because of the fresh air and unique tranquillity which it afforded. I therefore find the prospect a noisy, dusty extraction site close to, and dominantly upwind of me particularly distressing.
Similarly distressing I will find the loss of forest amenity much used by many hundreds escaping the hubbub of Gt.Yarmouth and Lowestoft (particularly for dog walking). Also the loss of Carbon sequestering trees sorely needed to oppose the massive worldwide accidental and deliberate burning of woodland.
The applicants have yet to provide the required independent quantitative determinations of their expected noise emissions. However, even with a very conservative estimate of these, because of the extreme tranquillity of the site and the way noise impact is assessed (the quieter it already is the less additional noise is acceptable) [Guidelines for Noise Impact Assessment 2002] the perceived sound level at Forest Lodge would be several times that represented by the 10 db threshold of the highest of the five impact categories:- termed 'major' noise impact.
The likely level of airborne dust exposure at Forest Lodge may be inferred from statistically robust multiple determinations carried out over time near a sand and gravel facility [Holmen B.A. and Shiraki R.- Airborne Respirable Silica near a Sand and Gravel Facility in Central California: XRD and Elemental Analysis To Distinguish Source and Background 'Quartz: Environ. Sci. Technol, 2002, 36 (23), pp 4956-4961]
When the data from the wind rose, previously deemed relevant by the would-be pit developers, is used together with the above fall-out data the predicted airborne dust exposure, so close in, is substantially more than is allowed in both existing and prospective U.K. National Air Quality Standards and European Directives, (See 'National air quality objectives and European Directive limit and target values for the protection of human health' - latest update.)
Also the predicted level of dust exposure is many times greater than the 2 to 5 micrograms /m3 above background measured in the benchmark report previously rightly cited as relevant by the applicants [3 Pless-Mulloli T. et al - Living near open cast coal mining sites and children's respiratory health.: Occup Environ Med. 2000 March; 57(3)': pp 145-151] (Future test exposure of human subjects to hazardous airborne dust is unlikely on ethical grounds!)
Even this latter modest level of dust exposure was associated with a marked increase in G.P. consultations (over 40%). This was in a statistically significant group of young human subjects in normal health.
Concerning health [redacted text - personal data] breathing problems could well be exacerbated by airborne quarry dust.
The applicants may well suggest 'mitigation measures' claimed to reduce the impact of their activities. There is however scant independent scientific evidence of their effectiveness. The aggregates industry, however, have the resources to sponsor independent determinations of effectiveness through bone fide academic institutions if the outcome were likely to be to their advantage. There is little indication that they have done so.
The Planning and Environment Division of H.M. Dept. of Communities and Local Government require that planning decisions entail careful consideration of the likely effects on the surrounding area and the views of local residents.
The health and welfare of their residents is the prime responsibility of all Local Authorities. Accordingly we ask that you give every consideration to allowing us to continue to live here in peace!
We look forward to your considered reply in due course.