EXAMINATION OF THE JOINT MINERALS LOCAL PLAN (JMLP) SINGLE ISSUE SOFT SAND REVIEW (SSR)

STATEMENT FROM PARISH COUNCIL

EAST OF WEST HEATH COMMON EXTENSION

Common considerations

1 Ecology and Biodiversity No Strategic Environmental Assessment would appear to have been undertaken nor proposed. Part of the site is a water meadow that is an important and rare habitat locally. The site is described as an extension (see b below) but between the site and the existing West Heath site there is an important woodland (Downpark Common) and another on the eastern flank of the existing quarry site. 2 Transport, Access and Traffic impact The site is about 1km from the narrow Durford Mill Lane which passes over Durford Bridge (Grade II Scheduled Monument no 1005842) which is a multi-span bridge built around 1600. Because of the alignment of the lane, loaded HGVs from the south have to approach this narrow bridge at an angle and habitually damage it. Any repair work involves closing the road thus throwing HGVs onto even more unsuitable country lanes to the south through South Harting. The nearest Strategic Advisory Lorry Routes are A3 (accessed through ), A24 (accessed through Rogate Conservation Area, over another Scheduled Monument (Grade 1 no 1221337) bridge at Trotton, Air Quality Management Area, Conservation Area and Billingshurst) and A27 accessed through Rogate Conservation Area, over another Scheduled Monument bridge at Trotton, Cocking, Singleton and central Chichester). Local- and long-distance footpaths are an important feature of the area and regarded as strategically important by Rogate Parish Council. WSCC and SDNPA. Any necessary sand transport system between the existing and proposed quarries will dissect FP861 which is part of the long-distance and Serpent Trail. The latter also utilises Durford Mill Lane along which all the HGVs must pass thus endangering the walkers. 3 Effects on Air Quality The significant increase in HGV movements will add to the traffic pollution in locality and on the A272 through the small villages with houses abutting the roadside and Midhurst AQMA The extraction process will also generate dust that will settle on neighbouring properties and local flora. 4 Heritage Assets Durford Mill Lane passes over Durford Bridge (Grade II Scheduled Monument no 1005842) which is a multi-span bridge built around 1600. Local Advisory Lorry Routes an A272 to the east pass through Rogate Conservation Area which has a number of listed buildings abutting the road, and over Trotton Bridge which is also a Scheduled Monument. 5 Hydrology and Hydrogeology The southern boundary of site is the River Rother and the majority of the site is a water meadow that the Environment Agency expects to be used to reduce and slow the passage of water down the Rother and hence reduce the risk of flooding. Because of the proximity of the River Rother there is a high water table on the site and a considerable volume of water will have to be dealt with during the sand extraction. If that water 1 is then used to wash the sand on site the resultant contaminated water will probably be discharged into the Rother with a detrimental effect on the flora and fauna of the river and a general increased silting of the river bed. Reassurances regarding negative impacts and their mitigation given at this stage in the planning process (c ref. “requires careful consideration”) are unlikely to be translated into enforceable planning restrictions if permission is given.

Other Considerations a Pollution and Amenity i Noise The proposed site is not adjacent to the existing quarry but about a half kilometre away. It is proposed to utilise the processing plant at the existing site and so a conveyor belt will be required which will generate considerable noise. This is in addition to the considerable general noise of sand extraction and processing and the noise from laden HGVs. ii Light During the winter months it will be inevitable that operations will have to be lit, including the conveyor belt. The sites are within the designated Dark Skies area of the National Park and the light pollution will be considerable and visible from a wide area including from the South Downs and Combe Hill to the north. b Extension v New site The proposed site is not an extension but a new site. The new site’s western boundary is over a half a kilometre from the eastern part of West Heath site and a conveyor belt will be needed to link the two. Statements that “as an extension the impacts may be easier to minimise” are clearly a serious inaccuracy as well as being completely misleading. It is accepted that West Heath quarry is an established location for sand extraction, but it was designated before the area was awarded National Park status. It would be unlikely that sand extraction in the centre of the National Park would be approved de novo now. With the increasing scrutiny relating to sustainability and the fact of its National Park status, there are many areas of practical mitigation of the effects of extraction which need to be explored before any approval for sand extraction at this new site is approved. Reassurances regarding negative impacts and their mitigation given at this stage in the planning process (c ref. “requires careful consideration”) are unlikely to be translated into enforceable planning restrictions if permission is given. c Trees and Wet Woodland The site is described as an extension (see b above) but between the site and the existing West Heath site there is an important woodland (Downpark Common) and another on the eastern flank of the existing quarry site. d Landscape and views from South Downs Way Whilst the existing and proposed sites can be screened from view locally, they are clearly visible as scars on the landscape from nearby higher ground such as the South Downs and Combe Hill. e Restoration of Site and Public Access Reassurances regarding restoration given at this stage in the planning process (c ref. “requires careful consideration”) are unlikely to be translated into enforceable planning restrictions if permission is given and, in any case, will only be seen many, many years hence.

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