Site 23: Cavenham Quarry (western extension)
Proposer: Alan Newport Ltd Area: 10.9 ha Estimated resource: 883,000 tonnes
1 Overview and Sustainability Appraisal
1.1 Cavenham Quarry is a long established operation set within and sitting alongside numerous sensitive and internationally important areas of habitat. Restoration throughout the quarry has embraced the importance of the habitat designations and has significantly contributed to the increased size and importance of the stony heath Breckland habitat (Special Protection Area (SPA) and Special Area of Conservation (SAC)).
1.2 As an extension to the existing quarry in which there is already infrastructure in place, this proposal meets with Core Strategy Policy 2, but there is no convenient access to the Strategic Lorry Route Network (SA objective 18 – efficient patterns of movement).
1.3 There are no national landscape designation constraints. The site lies within a Special Landscape Area.
1.4 The site lies within Breckland Farmland SSSI, a component of the Breckland SPA. Cavenham and Icklingham Heaths SSSI lie within 300m to the north. The site adjoins a National Nature Reserve and SAC to the north (SA objective 7- biodiversity/ geodiversity).
1.5 Given the above sensitivities, an Appropriate Assessment under the Habitat Regulations is required, and is appended. Suitable restoration could help increase the population of stone curlews and woodlark.
1.6 The site lies adjacent to a number of sites indicating prehistoric and post- medieval military activity and there is a need for archaeological evaluation (SA objective 4 - archaeology).
1.7 A truncated footpath abuts the northern boundary; the potential for providing a permissive circular path utilising this section of footpath should be explored (SA objective 14 - improving the health of population).
1.8 The site would be restored at a low level making use of surplus sand to create a heathland habitat (SA objective 7 - biodiversity).
2 Environmental Safeguards
2.1 The site lies within Groundwater Protection Zone 2. It would need to be demonstrated that mineral operations would not harm water quality or reduce groundwater flows (SA objective 3 - water quality).
2.2 The northern boundaries of the site fall within Flood Zone 2; any planning application would need to be accompanied by a Flood Risk Assessment and demonstrate that extraction would not lead to an increase in flooding elsewhere.
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3 Buffer Protection Areas
3.1 There are no properties in the immediate area; the nearest is 700 metres away. There is therefore substantial buffer of land between the site and nearest settlement.
4 Conclusions
4.1 Notwithstanding the environmental constraints in the immediate area, and change in the character of the landscape, any additional mineral operations provide the opportunity to enhance and consolidate the existing habitats for stone curlews and woodlark that have been successfully created through mineral working. The RSPB and Natural England have been supportive of the restoration work undertaken over the years and, subject to similarly appropriate restoration of this site, neither body objects to the extension.
4.2 Mitigation measures to safeguard the water environment are required and the opportunity for the creation of a permitted circular foot path should be explored.
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Conservation (Natural Habitats &c.) Regulations 1994
Regulation 48 Appropriate Assessment
Re: Marston’s Quarry, Cavenham, Extensions (SCC Site Number 23)
1. Description of Development:
It is proposed to extend the existing minerals/aggregates works at the existing Marston’s Quarry, Cavenham, Suffolk by adding two further areas, one to the west (SCC Site 23) and one to the east (SCC Site 24) of the existing works. Site 23 is 10.4 Hectares located at Grid Ref: 5760 2720; Site 24 is 8.9 Hectares located at Grid Ref: 5766 2720 and has been subject to an earlier Appropriate Assessment, submitted and approved by Natural England and has been granted Planning Permission by Suffolk County Council.
The Marston’s Quarry site is within the Breckland Special Protection Area (SPA) hence Suffolk County Council are required to carry out an Appropriate Assessment pursuant to Regulation 48 of the Conservation (Natural Habitats &c.) Regulations 1994.This area of Suffolk and Norfolk has been designated because, inter alia, it provides a habitat for about 75% of the United Kingdom’s population of Stone Curlew (Burhinus oedicnemus).
Near to site 23, there are confirmed reports of Stone Curlew and Woodlark (Lullula arborea) breeding.
The site also has potential for Nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus) depending upon future management.
Further details of the SPA designation are available on the Joint Nature Conservation Committee’s website at: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=2016.
More information about the Stone Curlew can be found here: http://www.arkive.org/species/ARK/birds/Burhinus_oedicnemus/more_info.htm l
More information about the Woodlark can be found here: http://www.arkive.org/species/ARK/birds/Lullula_arborea/
More information about the Nightjar can be found here:
44 http://www.arkive.org/species/ARK/birds/Caprimulgus_europaeus/more_info.h tml
Site 23 Details:
Grid Ref: 5760 2720 Hectares: 10.9
Currently, Site 23 comprises a largely open habitat, though there is some scrub encroachment (birch, gorse and bracken). This site is monitored by the RSPB and there have been sightings in this area of the Stone Curlew. It is understood that this area does contain potential nesting habitat but no records exist for Stone Curlew attempting to nest here for the last few breeding seasons.
The Operation
The proposed operation on the ground will involve the removal of topsoil and substrate followed by the removal of aggregates from both areas combined over a period of 8 to 10 years The quarrying operation will involve the use of heavy machinery, the installation of conveyor belts and periods of considerable human and mechanical activity, appropriate to large-scale aggregate removal. The operation will be carried out by: Messrs. Allen & Newport Ltd. (Sand, Gravel & Ready Mixed Concrete Producers) whose Registered Office is at: Walton House, 31, New Path, Fordham, Ely, Cambridgeshire CB7 5JX.
Post Extraction Restoration:
Following completion of extraction, it is proposed that the site be restored to typical Breckland grass heathland complementing the existing 47.4 Hectares of restored acid grassland heath adjacent to these sites. In addition, Site 24 will also be restored to a similar habitat type.
Those areas that have already been restored are subject to a detailed Management Plan (dated November, 2003) drawn up and implemented by the RSPB based at the East Anglia Regional Office, Stalham House, 65, Thorpe Road, Norwich, Norfolk NR1 1UD.
2. Conservation Objectives:
The Conservation Objectives for the European interests on the Component SSSI (Cavenham-Icklingham Heaths) are:
To maintain, in favourable condition, the:
• European dry heaths.
45 • Alluvial forests with Alnus glutinosa (Alder) and Fraxinus excelsior (Ash) (Alno-Padion, Alnion incanae, Salicion albae).
To maintain, in favourable condition, the habitats for the populations of the Annex 1 species, of European importance, with particular reference to:
• Heathland. • Acid Grassland. • Chalk Grassland and/or Inland Dune Communities.
The Council Directive 79/409/EEC on the Conservation of Wild Birds (“The Birds Directive”) Annex 1 species within the Breckland SPA are:
Woodlark (Lullula arborea) Nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus) Stone Curlew (Burhinus oedicnemus)
3. Effects of the Development on Conservation Objectives:
Minerals and aggregates extraction activity will lead to considerable disturbance at this site, particularly in combination with similar activity at Site 24. This will mean a short term loss of habitat for all of the species of interest in this area. Sympathetic and properly managed restoration will, however, provide long term positive improvements in habitat.
Negative Impacts:
2.1: Loss of breeding and foraging habitat as the area will be stripped of soil and quarried. 2.2: Disturbance to any individuals or local breeding populations in the vicinity by human and mechanical activity. 2.3: The area being worked will not be able to be managed to the best advantage for species of interest.
Positive Impacts:
Short Term:
2.4: Recognition that, post-restoration, this scheme will be of benefit to a European Protected Species. 2.5: Continuation of the policy of not promoting the site, leaving species of interest undisturbed by malicious interest.
Long Term:
2.5: By entering into a Management Plan similar to that mentioned above, there will be a greater area of effectively managed habitat available for the key species in the future. 2.6: The Management Plan should contain the following features in order to be of benefit:
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• Weed Control (e.g. Ragwort). • An appropriate mowing/grazing regime. • Scrub and tree control and removal. • A monitoring programme to measure breeding success. • A monitoring programme to measure predation and, if necessary, the institution of control measures. • Further research including a suite of further surveys for soil, vegetation, invertebrates and small mammals. • Establishment of a Liaison Committee which should include Natural England and the RSPB.
Summary of Impacts:
Removal of aggregates over an 8 to 10 year period will have the following impacts on the conservation objectives at this site:
Conservatio Maintain Maintain Maintain Maintain Maintain n Objective: European Alluvial Heathland Acid Chalk Dry Alder/Ash Grassland Grassland/ Heaths Woodlan Inland d Dunes Short Term: 8 { 8 8 { Long Term: 9 { 9 9 {
Symbol: Key: 8 Negative Impact { No Impact 9 Positive Impact
4. Mitigation:
This scheme, which proposes to remove a potential breeding habitat, is likely to cause short term disturbance to a fully protected species but, in the long term, is likely to be of real benefit.
To mitigate against disturbance of potentially breeding birds, the work to prepare the site will take place over winter to strip topsoil. The setting up of heavy equipment (such as conveyor belts) will also take place out of the breeding season. This is so birds using adjoining parts of the site that have already been restored will not be further disturbed by those operations.
The RSPB Management Plan of November, 2003 sets out an agreed series of Objectives and Prescriptions for the existing area of restored heathland. The
47 monitoring and surveying of that area will inform all interested parties of any arising issues that could be avoided during the proposed operations.
5. Effect on Integrity of a European Designated Site:
This proposed operation will remove 10.9 hectares in total of potential breeding and foraging habitat for the European Protected Species, Stone Curlew (Burhinus oedicnemus), Woodlark (Lullula arborea) and Nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus) within the Component SSSI (Cavenham- Icklingham Heaths) of the European Designated Breckland Special Protection Area.
This proposal, particularly in combination with the activity at Site 24, could have a short term negative effect upon populations that might otherwise have used this site but, by suitable restoration and future management together with the drafting, agreeing and implementing a Management Plan similar in scope and effect to that already in place for the 47.4 Hectares of adjacent restored land, the long term impacts are likely to be positive.
It is expected that sympathetic site restoration to acid heath and grass will improve the integrity of this Special Protection Area.
Dated: 5th day of June, 2008.
Andrew Murray-Wood MIEEM Ecologist Countryside Service Environment & Transport Suffolk County Council Endeavour House Ipswich Suffolk IP1 2BX
Telephone: 01473-264783 Internal Telephone: 720-4783 Fax: 01473-216877 Mobile: 07834 676876 E-Mail: [email protected]
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