I would like to object to silica sand mining taking place in the area of Area Of Search (AOS) E and its surroundings as proposed in the Norfolk County Council Mineral & Waste Local Plan, Preferred Options July 2019.

An HSE report into silica quarries found that prolonged exposure to silica dust could lead to an increased risk of lung cancer. Why would you want to consider supporting something that could lead to an increased risk of cancer.

The lack of an improved glass recycling plan to increase the amount of glass cullet available to UK glass manufacturers makes further quarrying for silica sand at the current rate morally wrong. Everest have introduced recycling and schemes that have reduce 66 per cent of its total waste (see https://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/home-improvement-tips/recycling-windows/). Why are you not encouraging window recycling projects - such as this? https://www.bpf.co.uk/sustainable_manufacturing/recycling/The_Worlds_First_100_percent_Recycled_PVC_Window.aspx

There appears to considerable financial risk associated with Sibelco. Their share price has significantly declined in the past 2 years (see https://www.bloomberg.com/quote/SCRVP:BB), which cannot be explained by tracking it with the rest of the markets (i.e. EURO STOXX 50: https://www.bloomberg.com/quote/SX5E:IND, FTSE 100 Index: https://www.bloomberg.com/quote/UKX:IND and S&P 500: https://www.bloomberg.com/quote/SPX:IND). The manufacturing sector is in bad shape, with the manufacturing and construction purchasing managers' indexes (PMI) recently reporting September's all-sector PMI sank to 48.8 from 49.7 - this was its lowest since the month after the referendum decision to leave the EU in June 2016, and before that 2009 (following the last financial crisis). Another recession would lead to a reduced investment in new projects such as this, especially in the UK from a Belgium company. It would be extremely embarrassing for the council if they gave the go ahead, and the venture never went to fruition.

Property prices in the area are going to be reduced it the silica mine appears. In the past year, a lot of property has been up for sale in the area, which is fuelled by these fears that the warren will disappear, and reduce house values.

Shouldham Warren is used for outdoor exercise by 1000s of people; young and old. The loss of long-established woodlands would be devastating for mental health and physical well-being. It would be a disaster for the biodiversity of flora and fauna supported by that ecosystem.

The destruction of woodland, never to be restored, is unacceptable at a time when Govt's policy (Clean Growth Strategy) is to increase the number of trees in the UK - "Establish a new network of forests in England... plant 11 million trees". We are facing a Climate Crisis. Shouldham Warren is one of our precious planet's lungs, capturing 11,000 tonnes of C02 per year. The Warren provides clean air, home to precious biodiversity, valuable educational space for children and a recreational area well used by so many people.

We recently had the pleasure of an early evening walk in Shouldham where we got to see and hear a murmur of starlings. I've seen numerous deer and owls, and it is horrible to think that their natural habit could disappear for the purpose of some windows.

Our environment is our most precious inheritance," says DEFRA, so I urge Norfolk County Council to not allocate the woodlands and agricultural farmland in AOS E and remove AOS E from the Mineral & Waste Local Plan.
I also object to quarrying in SIL 02. It is false of Norfolk County Council to say SIL02 has not been allocated whilst retaining 1/3 of the area in Area Of Search, AOS E. It has known mineral deposits, there is a willing landowner, that defines a preferred area. MOD (DIO) objected to the WHOLE of SIL02, I demand that NCC removes this overlap area from their M&WLP.

Given the current media trend over preserving our environment, I just can't comprehend why I have to write this email. Why are you even considering allowing the harvesting of fossil fuels, at the cost of the environment, animals and people's well being and mental health?