Proposed Sand and Gravel Quarry at Manor Farm,

Response to Request from County Council for Additional Information together with Amended Drawings Submitted at the time of the Planning Application

May 2012

CONTENTS

Section Title Page Number Number

1.0 INTRODUCTION 4

2.0 PROPOSED PLANT SITE 8

3.0 HADDISCOE PUBLIC FOOTPATH 7 15

4.0 PROPOSED EXTRACTION SITE – RESTORATION AND LANDSCAPE 16 ENHANCEMENT

5.0 NORFOLK MINERALS AND WASTE CORE STRATEGY 2010 - 2026 17

6.0 CORE RIVER VALLEY 20

7.0 IMPACT ON ST MARY’S CHURCH 22

8.0 FIGURES

Figure 6.0 (17) Key Viewpoints of the Plant site [1:10,000 @ A4]

Figure 6.0 (18) Viewpoint 8 - Existing View [A3]

Figure 6.0 (19) Viewpoint 8 Photomontage – Initial Development (12 months) [A3]

Figure 6.0 (20) Viewpoint 9 – Existing View [A3]

Figure 6.0 (21) Viewpoint 9 Photomontage – Initial Development (12 months) [A3]

Figure 6.0 (22) Viewpoint 9 Photomontage – Mature Development (12 years) [A3]

Figure. 6.0 (23) Viewpoint 10 – Existing View [A3]

Figure 6.0 (24) Viewpoint 11 – Existing View [A3]

Figure 6.0 (25) Viewpoint 11 Photomontage – Initial Development (12 months) [A3]

Figure 6.0 (26) Viewpoint 11 Photomontage – Mature Develpment (12 years) [A3]

Figure 6.0 (27) Viewpoint 12 – Existing View [A3]

Figure 6.0 (28) Viewpoint 12 Photomontage – Initial Development (12 months) [A3]

Figure 6.0 (29) Viewpoint 12 Photomontage – Mature Development (12 years) [A3]

Figure 6.0 (30) Viewpoint 14 – Existing View [A3]

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Figure 6.0 (31) Viewpoint 15 – Existing View [A3]

Figure 6.0 (32) Sightline sections – Viewpoint 12 to Loddon Rd [1:500 @ A1]

Figure 6.0 (33) Sections through Woodland [1:200 @ A1, 1:400 @ A3]

Figure 6.0 (34) Comparison of Existing and Restoration Landforms [1:1,250 @ A3]

Figure 6.0 (35) Core River Valley Policy Area [1:5,000 @ A3]

9.0 APPENDICES

Appendix A - Proposed Plant Site : Development Timeline

Appendix B - Tree Survey - Drawing number 080211/X rev A by Ravenscroft Arboricultural Services Ltd

Appendix C - Public Access Arrangements (Figures M(EG)2.4(1) to M(EG)2.4(5))

Appendix D – Updated Planning Policy

10.0 DRAWINGS SUBMITTED AT THE TIME OF THE PLANNING APPLICATION WHICH HAVE EITHER BEEN AMENDED OR REPLACED AS A RESULT OF THIS SUBMISSION

The following Drawings have been Amended or Replaced

Drawing Ref Drawing Title Amended / Replaced

Figure 4.2(1) Proposed Land Raising Contours Amended - Plant Site [A3]

Figure 4.2(2) Plant Site Sections [A3 & A1] Amended

Figure 4.2(4) Plant Site Phased Development Amended Plan [A3]

Figure 4.2(5) Plant Site Phased Development Amended Sections [A3 & A1]

Figure 6.0(10) Viewpoint G, Photograph 7, Replaced by Fig 6.0(24), Sightline Section M-N Fig 6.0(25) & Fig 6.0(26)

Figure 6.0(11) Visualisation from Viewpoint 7 Replaced by Fig 6.0(24), Fig 6.0(25) & Fig 6.0(26)

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Drawing Ref Drawing Title Amended / Replaced

Figure 6.0(12) Viewpoint H, Photograph 8, Replaced by Fig 6.0(18) Sightline Section O-P & Fig 6.0(19)

Figure 6.0(13) Viewpoint I, Photograph 9, Replaced by Fig 6.0(20), Sightline Section M-Q Fig 6.0(21) & Fig 6.0(22)

Figure 6.0(15) Viewpoint J, Photograph 10, Replaced by Fig 6.0(23) Sightline Section R-S

V7 – 01 Visualisation Plant Site Screening Replaced by Fig 6.0(24), Fig 6.0(25) & Fig 6.0(26)

V16 Site Layout Plan [A3 & A1] Amended

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1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Following submission of a Planning Application by Gravels Limited in October 2011 for Extraction, Processing, Bagging and Sale of Sand and Gravel with Concrete Batching at Manor Farm, Land off B1136, Loddon Road, Haddiscoe, Norfolk NR14 6PN, a request has been made by by letter dated 08 February 2012 for additional information concerning the proposals.

1.2 The letter included a request for the following information: Landscape and Visual Impacts Proposed Plant Site 1. A statement should be provided setting out the visual impact of the proposed plant site during the two year establishment period. A detailed time line providing indicative timescales for starting and completing the screen bunds, forming the B1136 site access, carrying out land raising, setting up and mitigation of proposed plant site during this period would be of assistance.

2. More information is required to explore the feasibility of reducing the landscape and visual impacts of the proposed 2m height bund adjacent to the B1136 by reducing northern boundary slope gradients.

3. The application submission provides a number of cross sections and a limited number of photomontages but more three dimensional information is required in order to assess the landscape and visual impacts of the proposal. These three dimensional images should show the potential landscape and visual impacts of the proposed development during the two year establishment period, during operations and after restoration.

4. Additional photomontages are sought to show a representative appearance of the proposed plant site from further west along the B1136 (where there are wider landscape views of the proposal from the Loddon Road towards Haddiscoe Church), from properties immediately east of the site, A143 Beccles Road, Hall Road from Haddiscoe Hall.

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5. Drawing no. FIG 4.4(3), Rev B shows the proposed restoration contours of the plant site area. It would be useful if a plan could be provided showing the existing contours for comparison purposes.

Haddiscoe Public Footpath 7 Immediately south of the southern land raising area, within the visual appraisal study, there is a high degree of visual sensitivity of the proposed plant site from a public footpath (Haddiscoe FP7) in the vicinity of photograph 8. There are concerns with the potential landscape and visual impact of these earthworks during the establishment and operational phases when viewed from the public footpath.

6. Further information is required in the form of a photo montage showing the impact of the proposed land raising and minerals extraction during the two year establishment, operation phases and on restoration.

7. Clarification is sought that the existing embankment that runs parallel to the proposed plant site and parallel to Haddiscoe FP7 is to be retained and that there would be no carrying out of any earthworks of this area. An additional cross section of the plant site is required showing the retention of the existing bank and existing trees immediately south of the site running at close proximity to public footpath Haddiscoe FP7.

8. It is also important that all trees running along the top of this bank are retained and protected during operations as per BS5837. This information to be shown on plans where necessary.

9. The scheme does not include any landscape mitigation planting within the area between the embankment and the public footpath or further along Haddiscoe FP7. The only planting within this area being proposed on site restoration is the woodland belt within the area currently proposed for land raising immediately south of the plant site scheduled to take place only after the soils within this area have been used for land raising and infilled within the site on restoration. Consideration should be given to further planting in this area.

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Proposed Extraction Site - Restoration The restoration concept proposal is acceptable in principle, further enclosing the site with woodland and allowing provision for a water body, south facing sand habitat bank, with different types of grassland. Further details will be required regarding plant numbers, specifications and aftercare, although this may be sought by condition.

However, it is considered there is the opportunity for further enhancements, such as additional footpaths in this area (for example around the lake) and clarification that there will be public access to this site once it has been fully restored.

Norfolk Minerals and Waste Core Strategy 2010-2026 The Norfolk Mineral and Waste Core Strategy was adopted on 26 September 2011. The Core Strategy forms the strategic policy direction and provides Development Management policies which should be used in assessing mineral and waste planning applications. The previous, saved policies in the Norfolk Minerals Local Plan (adopted 2004) were superseded by the Core Strategy.

A planning policy analysis has been included as a supporting document within the application. However, it is considered that the planning policy analysis is outdated in its use of the Minerals Local Plan which has been superseded by the adopted Core Strategy and contains insufficient detail in its treatment of the Core Strategy.

The planning policy analysis only refers to (draft) policies CS1 and CS2 in relation to this application and it is considered, for reasons detailed below, that CS1, CS2, CS13, CS14, CS15, CS16, CS17, DM1, DM2, DM3, DM8, DM9, DM10, DM11, DM12, DM13, DM14, DM15 and DM16 should be used in the analysis of this application. It should also be noted that the South Norfolk Local Plan policies ENV1 and ENV 4 have been superseded by the Greater Development Partnership adopted Joint Core Strategy (March 2011).

Core River Valley There is little recognition within the application documentation that the proposed plant site is almost entirely within the defined Core River Valley. Policy DM2 requires that for development to be permitted within the Core River Valley, an application must demonstrate an enhancement to the local landscape and/or biodiversity (either immediately or on restoration). The application supporting the proposed development

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does not adequately demonstrate that significant enhancements will occur to compensate for the impacts of the operational phase, and it is considered that the application is not compliant with policy DM2.

Further information on how the proposed development will address the requirements of DM2 is required.

Impact on St. Mary’s Church In his response, the Inspector of Historic Buildings for English Heritage has concluded that some harm will occur to the setting of this Grade I listed building, however he defines this harm as “less than substantial”. In such instances Government Planning Policy Statement 5 requires MPA’s to weigh the harm against the wider benefits of the proposal. This provides a further reason for consideration to be given to enhancements to the site which are also sought by other relevant policies.

1.3 This document is submitted as a full response to all those issues raised in the letter from Norfolk County Council dated 8 February 2012 and for ease of reference follows the various sub headings introduced by the letter.

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2.0 PROPOSED PLANT SITE 2.1 The timeline for the construction and establishment of the proposed plant site, which is also Phase 1 extraction area, is set out in Appendix A of this document.

2.2 There are 5 main stages to this process in terms of potential landscape and visual effects: 1 - construction of the site entrance; 2 - formation of the initial plant site and peripheral raised landforms within an 8 week period, subject to any archaeological investigations; 3 – completion of the final plant site configuration within the period 8 weeks to 2 years, during which the peripheral landscape will not change, save for the growth of newly planted hedges; 4 – operational period of the plant site from 2 to 20 years; 5 – restoration during year 21.

2.3 A very small zone of visual influence is identified on the Visual Analysis plan (Fig. 6.0 (1)) appended to the submitted visual impact assessment. Key viewpoints have been identified for further examination on Figure. 6.0 (17), located within section 7 of this report, in relation to paragraphs 3 and 4 of the County Council’s letter requesting further information. The viewpoints comprise:  Viewpoint 8 on public footpath Haddiscoe FP7, where it emerges from the Landspring Beck valley woodland  Viewpoint 9 on Loddon Road at its junction with Crab Apple lane  Viewpoint 11 on Loddon Road at it’s highest point west of the proposed plant site  Viewpoint 12 on public footpath Haddiscoe FP7 adjacent to the proposed southern raised landform  Viewpoint 13 from the first floor windows of numbers 1 and 2 Loddon Road  Viewpoints 10, 14 and 15 from various locations on Hall Road, south of the Landspring Beck valley.

2.4 The assessment of potential landscape and visual effects is enabled by examination of panoramic photographs, plans, sightline sections, 3D visualisations and photomontages located within section 7 of this report, Figures 6.0 (18) to (35). The visualisations and photomontages are generated by McCarthy Taylor’s ‘LSS’ digital terrain models of the

8 existing site, the initial plant site configuration shown on Figure 4.2(4) Rev B and the final plant site configuration shown on Figure 4.2(1) Rev E.

Viewpoint 8 2.5 Figure 6.0 (18) is a photograph from public footpath Haddiscoe FP7 where it emerges from the Landspring Beck valley woodland onto the edge of an arable field. It is located south of the proposed western raised landform. The view is orientated in a north-easterly direction towards the southwest corner of the proposed plant site. Figure 6.0 (19) includes both a screen capture of the partially rendered LSS model and a photomontage of the view during the summer following construction of the perimeter raised landforms. The southern raised landform, which dominates the view, will be in agricultural use. A mixed thorn hedge with occasional hedgerow trees will be planted along the ridge of the raised landform during the previous winter.

2.6 The raised landform will create a higher, gently domed and hedge lined horizon that will obscure all views of stockpiles and plant operations beyond at all stages of the development. There is a small gap created where the raised landform tapers into the edge of the retained woodland, directly south of the proposed plant site. All that will be visible through this inverted triangle–shaped gap above additional woodland planting will be the grassed, internal slopes of the eastern raised landform above the toe of the vehicle access ramp. The ramp is located some 6.5 metres below the base of the raised landform, so that no lorry movements will be obtainable from this viewpoint.

Viewpoint 9 2.7 Figure 6.0 (20) is a photograph of the view along Loddon Road and across open arable fields towards St Mary’s Church and numbers 1 and 2 Loddon Road, including a backdrop of woodland within Landspring Beck valley. This view is indicative of most views along this section of Loddon Road across the proposed plant site. Figure 6.0 (21) includes both a screen capture of the partially rendered LSS model and a photomontage of the view during the summer following construction of the perimeter raised landforms. The northern raised landform which dominates the view will be constructed from the initial excavation of soils, obscuring most of the other initial earthworks from viewpoints on Loddon Road. It will be seeded down to grass during the autumn immediately following its construction. A mixed thorn hedge with occasional hedgerow trees will be planted along its toe during the previous winter.

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2.8 The mound is 2 metres high, approximately 1.5 metres higher than the road surface, and the outer slope is constructed to a 1:3 (v:h) gradient. The northern raised landform, which ties in to the eastern and western raised landforms at either end, will obscure most views of excavation and construction operations and both the mobile and fixed plant and stockpiles when they are located on the quarry floor. It will not, however obscure desired views of St Mary’s Church and the wooded backdrop beyond. Initially, the grassed mound will be visually obtrusive in its own right to some degree. However, it will have an important function as part of an enveloping visual and acoustic screen around the plant site. There is insufficient space available within the plant site to slacken the outer slope gradients.

2.9 Figure 6.0 (22) shows the same view approximately 12 years after the commencement of operations. The foreground hedge, if properly maintained, will dominate the view at this stage. After approximately 5 years the mound should be mostly obscured by the growth of the hedge. The hedge will be maintained at a similar height to the raised landform behind in order to minimise the visual influence of the landform whilst maintaining views of the church and wooded horizon beyond. The view will be largely unchanged from this point. The mature hedge will obscure the dismantling of the raised landforms during final restoration operations. These operations will take place during the summer months when leaf cover will make the hedge fully opaque.

Viewpoint 11 2.10 Figure 6.0 (24) is a photograph of the view across arable fields towards St Mary’s Church from a location towards the highest point on Loddon Road west of the proposed plant site. Figure 6.0 (25) includes a screen capture of the partially rendered LSS model and a photomontage of the view during the summer following the construction of the perimeter raised landforms. The western raised landform dominates the view and will be in agricultural use. It obscures the quarry faces, stockpiles and quarry plant conveyors within the plant site located in the middle ground. The background will still be dominated by St Mary’s Church, numbers 1 and 2 Loddon Road and the woodland backdrop.

2.11 Figure 6.0 (26) shows the same view approximately 12 years after the commencement of operations. All operations within the plant site will remain obscured. Some temporary visual disturbance will be created when the raised landform is dismantled to restore the plant site up to near original levels at the end of the development.

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Viewpoint 12 2.12 Figure 6.0 (27) is a photograph of the view from public footpath Haddiscoe FP7 at a point adjacent to the proposed southern raised landform, just west of the woodland. The view is looking upwards across arable land towards the shoulder of the Landspring Beck valley which forms the skyline approximately 50 metres from the viewpoint.

2.13 Figure 6.0 (28) includes a screen capture of the partially rendered LSS model and a photomontage of the view during the summer following the construction of the perimeter raised landforms. The southern raised landform creates a slightly higher skyline with a new hedge planted along the ridge, including occasional hedgerow trees. The foreground is still in agricultural use and the edge of the nearby woodland is unchanged. A small post and wire fence used as a tree protection barrier will define the edge of the raised landform, but will look to all intents and purposes like an agricultural boundary. All stockpiles, plant and operations located within the plant site will be fully obscured from this viewpoint for the operational life of the development.

2.14 A photomontage of the same view after completion of the final plant site configuration has not been prepared because its appearance will be very similar to that shown in Figure 6.0 (28). This is demonstrated by the sightline sections in Figure 6.0 (32). The bottom section on this sheet also shows that the southern raised landform will be dismantled at the end of operations to release restoration materials. This will create temporary visual disturbance (probably for 8 weeks), but will result in a substantial extension to the existing woodland on the side slopes of the valley, enhancing the character of the setting.

Viewpoint 13 2.15 There are no photographs available of the view from the first floor windows of numbers 1 and 2 Loddon Road. However, a detailed laser survey of the building façade was undertaken from within the proposed plant site sufficient to enable the creation of visualisations from this location using LSS models. Figure 6.0 (29) shows a screen capture during the summer following the construction of the perimeter raised landforms. The view is dominated by the existing foreground hedgerow and woodland vegetation. However, views of the eastern raised landform in the middle ground will be obtained from this elevated location.

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2.16 No parts of the quarry plant or access ramp are visible from this location. There will be some temporary visual disturbance during the final restoration of the plant site (probably for 8 weeks) as the plant site is backfilled and the raised landforms are dismantled.

Viewpoints 10, 14 and 15 2.17 Paragraph 4 of the letter requesting further information identifies potential visual intrusion from the A143 and Hall Road. The photographs of Viewpoints 10, 14 and 15 shown in Figures 6.0 (23), (30) and (31) are indicative of most views from this direction. Parts of the proposed plant site field are just visible in the distance during the winter months behind woodland within the Landspring Beck valley. Most of the eastern section of the plant site field is entirely obscured by the wooded valley side slopes or by the groups of coniferous trees in the foreground. There would only be two very short periods of visual disturbance from these viewpoints; first during the construction of the southern raised landform and second during its dismantling. Both will be undertaken during the summer months when trees are in leaf. Therefore, the potential for significant visual impact on these viewpoints is considered to be negligible.

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Summary table of predicted visual effects

View Effect Initial Initial Main operational Restoration point development development Period (18 yrs) (3 months (0–3 months) (3–24 months) total period) Unmitigated Substantially adverse

Mitigation Southern raised landform soon Hedge links Raised landform 8 obscures works landform to wood retained until late Residual Temporarily Negligible Temporarily substantially substantially adverse adverse Unmitigated Substantially adverse

Mitigation Mound soon obscures works, but Hedge grows to Hedge obscures 9 maintains views of Church and obscure mound operations woodland Residual Temporarily substantially adverse/ Slightly adverse/ Negligible then moderately adverse Negligible Unmitigated Substantially adverse

Mitigation None Raised landform obscures works, but None maintains views of Church and 11 woodland Residual Temporarily Negligible Temporarily substantially substantially adverse adverse Unmitigated Substantially adverse

Mitigation None Raised landform Raised landform None obscures works and hedge obscure 12 works Residual Temporarily Negligible Temporarily substantially substantially adverse adverse Unmitigated Moderately adverse

Mitigation None Raised landform obscures works; None 13 existing hedge assimilates landform Residual Temporarily Negligible Temporarily moderately moderately adverse adverse Unmitigated Negligible Slightly adverse Slightly adverse in Negligible (summer works) in winter winter (summer works) 10, Mitigation None Raised landform Raised landform None 14, and hedge and hedge obscure 15 obscure works works Residual Negligible Negligible Negligible Negligible

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2.18 Analysis of the summary table of predicted visual effects above indicates that most residual impacts are predicted to be ‘slightly adverse’ or ‘negligible’ in significance. Those that are predicted to be ‘moderately’ or ‘substantially adverse’ will be temporary or short term.

Restoration landform 2.19 Figure 6.0 (34) shows an overlay of the existing and proposed restoration landforms at the plant site. It includes existing woodland vegetation, but not the proposed initial hedge or restoration woodland planting. The restoration topography will be similar in profile and slope gradients to the existing landform, but at slightly lower elevations. The area of the proposed southern raised landform will be almost identical, but planted with deciduous woodland as an extension to the adjacent wood. The existing small sand pit located on the northern edge of the wood will be backfilled in the restoration. The steeper north facing slopes (maximum gradient 1:6) along the woodland edge will also be planted. The northern and central parts of the plant site will be restored to elevations one to two metres below existing levels, but this change will be obscured from Loddon Road by the proposed roadside hedge and barely perceptible within the wider visual envelope.

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3.0 HADDISCOE PUBLIC FOOTPATH 7 3.1 Concerns expressed in paragraphs 6 and 7 of the letter requesting further information regarding potential visual effects from the footpath have been addressed in section 2 above. Section 3 deals with paragraphs 8 and 9 regarding potential landscape effects on the wood.

3.2 Figures 6.0 (33) and (34) demonstrate in plan and section that the existing woodland will not be affected by excavation and backfilling operations. A tree protection barrier will be erected for the duration of the mineral working and backfilling operations. In this regard a small error in the original Tree Survey submitted with the Planning Application has been found (refer to Validation Document V12). The arboricultural surveyor had assumed that the western boundary of the woodland shown on the Ordnance Survey (OS) map was accurate. However, part of the wood has been taken into cultivation since the OS survey was undertaken and the western boundary is actually located further east. This error has been corrected and a revised version of the Tree Survey is enclosed to replace the original document (refer to drawing number 080211/X rev A by Ravenscroft Arboricultural Services Ltd submitted as Appendix B in this document). All existing woodland will be protected in accordance with the root protection area requirements identified on this drawing.

3.3 The mature, mostly deciduous woodland has grown over valley side slopes that were probably excavated for local building sand in the distant past. The wood contains a large open glade, located partly over the steep sand face. It also supports a ground flora including native bluebell. It is proposed to leave the bluebells undisturbed where possible and retain the open glade. The south-facing sand face will be kept as potential invertebrate habitat. However, it would be possible to enhance the existing wood by infill planting of oak, ash and birch transplants at the bottom of the sand face and along the outer margins of the wood within the protective barrier.

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4.0 PROPOSED EXTRACTION SITE – RESTORATION AND LANDSCAPE ENHANCEMENT 4.1 The full details of the hedge and woodland planting, establishment and aftercare schemes will be supplied subject to the requirements of Planning Conditions. A landscape planting and management scheme (Validation Document V4) has already been submitted in relation to the existing plantations around the main extraction site.

4.2 It is now proposed to create, in a staged manner, additional definitive footpaths and a car park with occasional interpretation boards and bench seats as part of the phased restoration scheme, subject to detailed agreement with the landowners and County Council Rights of Way Officers. Details of the arrangements for improved public access to the site are illustrated on the enclosed series of drawings submitted as Appendix C in this document and entitled Public Access Arrangements (Figures M(EG)2.4(1) to M(EG)2.4(5)). These plans are based upon the Proposed Phasing Arrangements plans submitted with the Planning Application. It should be emphasised that whilst each Public Access Arrangements drawing represents one of the five stages, a new footpath or the car park will be formed as soon as an individual phase or phases has been restored, in order to provide the next stage of the public access at the earliest possible opportunity. It should also be emphasised the intention is for all new footpaths to become permanent public rights of way, subject to the making of formal Orders At that point the new footpaths will come under the control of Norfolk County Council and will be the responsibility of the Council to maintain. The new Access and Car Park formed off Crab Apple Lane together with all Interpretation Boards, Picnic Tables and Bench Seats will be the responsibility of the Applicant and will be maintained for the duration of the long term management plan which will continue for a period of 10 years following restoration of the Plant Site.

4.3 Enhancements to the landscape, biodiversity and quiet enjoyment of the countryside are afforded by the restoration and additional footpath and car park proposals. Landscape enhancements to the main extraction site comprise an increased level of enclosure created by woodland management. Those to the plant site comprise a restored field pattern created by extensive hedgerow and woodland planting. Biodiversity enhancements will be created by the proposed woodland, acidic grassland and wetland land cover, in stark contrast to the existing arable ‘desert’. The additional footpaths will in the long term enable short and middle distance circuitous walks to be made linking Landspring Beck valley with Thorpe and Haddiscoe Marshes and the village of Haddiscoe.

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5.0 NORFOLK MINERALS AND WASTE CORE STRATEGY 2010 - 2026 5.1 An Updated Planning Policy analysis is included with this submission (refer to Appendix D). This document replaces Section 3.4 Planning Policy of the Planning Application.

5.2 The summary and conclusions of the submitted landscape impact assessment of the proposed development were as follows: Impacts on the fabric of the landscape

The landscape of the area south of Loddon Road will be restored in the very long term to almost original elevations and land use, but with additional hedgerow and woodland enclosures. The area north of Loddon Road will be progressively restored over 20 years to a shallow truncated valley landform, supporting acidic grassland and wetland and enclosed by a broad belt of deciduous woodland.

Impacts on the character of the landscape

The potential unmitigated landscape impact on the Tributary Farmland with Parkland LCA is rated as substantially adverse. However the proposed progressive restoration measures will mitigate the impact to a significance rating of moderately adverse during the life of the development and to slightly beneficial when the restoration is complete.

The potential unmitigated landscape impact on the /Haddiscoe Marshes LCA is rated as slightly negligible. However, the existing perimeter woodland and the proposed progressive restoration measures will mitigate the impact to a significance rating of negligible in the medium to long term.

The Scoping Opinion dated 10th June 2010 identified that this report should address the potential landscape impacts of this development on the setting of National Park and Haddiscoe Church, both during the excavation period and in the longer term. It also required the examination of any landscape effects resulting from highway access to the Site.

The quarry will only slightly affect the setting of Thorpe and Haddiscoe Marshes during its operational life and this effect will diminish as the restoration operations are completed. The setting of Haddiscoe Church from Loddon Raod will be moderately adversely affected during the lifetime of quarrying operations, but this will be a temporary effect. It could be argued that views of the setting of the Church and those across the Broads from Public Bridleway Haddiscoe BR5 would be diminished by the restoration of this area of the Site to a valley landform with wooded upper slopes. However, the growth of the existing perimeter woodland would probably obscure these views to a similar extent over the lifetime of the quarry. The highway access arrangements for the plant site will only marginally affect the landscape and these are temporary measures. All other plant vehicle access to the main extraction area would be via the existing field entrance on Crab Apple Lane and minerals will be transported by means of a conveyor and tunnel under Loddon Road.

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Cumulative landscape impacts

The potential for creating cumulative landscape effects by the presence of two mineral extraction sites close to the village of Haddiscoe are only slight, partly because sand and gravel quarrying is a temporary land use and partly because the two sites are not inter-visible and Manor Farm will be substantially enclosed by woodland and hedgerows in the medium to long term.

5.5 The summary and conclusions of the submitted visual impact assessment of the proposed development were as follows: Impacts on the visual amenity of residents and visitors to the setting

The zone of visual influence of the development Site is restricted to a radius of less than 500 metres, within which 10 groups of key viewpoints (including 2 subgroups) were identified. The most sensitive of these viewpoints are located at fairly close range to the Site. The potential effects on these viewpoints were examined by annotated photographs, sightline sections and computer generated visualisations. Potential visual impacts of typical sand and gravel extraction operations were described. A group of possible visual mitigation measures were examined using the above methods and tables of predicted effects drawn up for the short, medium, long and very long terms.

The main effective mitigation measures include: management and development of the existing woodland around the perimeter of the main extraction area; hedge planting around the plant site; operating low level plant and keeping the majority of extraction operations at the level of the quarry floor; use of ground conveyors and tunnels to reduce the visibility of vehicle movements; progressive restoration and construction of temporary raised landforms in agricultural use around the plant site to obscure the plant but maintain views of Haddiscoe Church.

It was demonstrated that during the operational period of the quarry most visual impact significance ratings could be mitigated to between negligible and slightly adverse. Impacts on only one group of viewpoints from the diverted public bridleway that crosses the main extraction area could not be mitigated below a rating of substantially adverse. Impacts on two groups of viewpoints located near to the site entrance on Loddon Road could only be mitigated to a rating of moderately adverse. However, the mitigated impact significance on all viewpoint groups was rated as negligible or slightly beneficial in the very long term after the complete restoration of the Site.

In conclusion, if the proposed mitigation measures are properly implemented and maintained, the potential visual impacts of these proposals can be adequately mitigated from almost all viewpoints during the operational life of the quarry. The visual amenity of residents and visitors will not be adversely affected and may be enhanced in some areas when the quarry is completely restored, some twenty years from commencing operations. The quiet enjoyment of the countryside around the village of Haddiscoe will not be significantly adversely affected.

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Cumulative visual impacts The potential for cumulative visual effects occurring as a result of sequential views being obtained of the existing and proposed mineral extraction sites close to the village of Haddiscoe are negligible.

5.6 The conclusions to both of the above assessments are reinforced by the content of this report. In addition, an historic environment assessment which addressed the potential impact on the site and setting of St Mary’s Church was submitted with the Planning Application. The conclusions reached in the report were:  The development site has been open countryside and used for agricultural production for centuries.  There are a relatively small number of designated heritage assets potentially affected by the development proposal, although some of these are highly significant. There are an even smaller number of non designated heritage assets within the immediate vicinity.  The significance of the relevant heritage assets has been defined and is not unacceptably affected by the development proposals.  There are no direct impacts on heritage assets. All potential impacts are on the setting of listed buildings and mainly assessed as being neutral or slight adverse. Where potential impacts are assessed as being greater than slight adverse, the impact is extremely short-lived.  There is a closely defined duration for the development so many potential impacts on heritage assets are temporary.  Intervisibility between the towers of St Mary’s and St Matthias’ will remain substantial unchanged.  Any impacts are largely reversible, apart from the change in landform of the main extraction area. Restoration following extraction will include retention of open countryside and some increased public benefit.  In the long-term the proposal and its restoration will not diminish the appreciation or understanding of the main heritage assets. Neither is the integrity of heritage assets substantial compromised.

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6.0 CORE RIVER VALLEY 6.1 Development Management Policy DM2 of the Adopted Norfolk Minerals and Waste Core Strategy 2010 – 2026 requires planning applications to demonstrate that development proposals within Core River Valley areas will: enhance the local landscape and/or biodiversity (either immediately or on restoration) and not impede floodplain functionality.

6.2 Paragraph 7.9 of the supporting text states:

The Core River Valleys normally include the floodplains of rivers and their major tributaries but in some cases the core areas also include the lower valley slopes where these are clearly defined, such as where grazing land extends up to a hedge or tree line on the valley sides.

6.3 Figure 6.0 (35) shows the Core River Valley policy area at 1:5000 scale as defined on a plan supplied by the County Council and abstracted from the Adopted Core Strategy proposals map. This plan, which would appear to have been generated by the Planning and Transportation Geographical Information System actually shows the policy area to include most of the proposed plant site and areas of the peripheral raised landforms as well as substantial parts of the village of Haddiscoe including St Mary’s Church. Indeed parts of Landspring Beck, being the ‘Core River’ tributary, are actually outside of the policy area, as is some of the floodplain and southern lower valley slopes.

6.4 Another interpretation of the river valley area is also marked on Figure 6.0 (35). This interpretation is defined by the pastoral floodplain of Landspring Beck and is consistent with the riparian character of the landscape that Policy DM2 seeks to protect and enhance. This area includes the wooded valley slopes adjacent to the proposed plant site, as they are characteristic of the river valley and help to define the valley edge. However, it excludes the bare, steeply sloping arable land within which it is proposed to construct the plant site and peripheral raised landforms.

6.5 Landscape character ‘areas’ or ‘types’ do not usually have ‘hard’ or well defined edges. Therefore it is appropriate to examine the potential impact of the proposed plant site on the Core River Valley policy area in the context of whether it is located within the river valley or adjacent to it, as it is could potentially affect the character of the setting.

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6.6 The eastern section of the plant site including the proposed eastern raised landform is spatially and visually isolated from the river valley by the adjacent wooded slopes. Short term, temporary disturbance to the character of the valley would be created by the construction and demolition of the southern raised landform and, to a lesser degree, the western raised landform. The character of the river valley would be protected and slightly enhanced during the operational period of the quarry by maintaining the visual horizon from footpath Haddiscoe FP7, defined by a new agricultural hedge, and by limited infill planting of trees within the existing wood. Both landscape character and biodiversity would be enhanced in the very long term by the restoration scheme. The exact profile of the existing upper valley side slopes will be recreated and planted with native deciduous woodland as an extension to the existing wood. This represents an enhancement to biodiversity because these existing areas of arable land are ecologically poor.

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7.0 IMPACT ON ST. MARY’S CHURCH 7.1 Further consideration has been given to the issue of the wider benefits of the proposal and in particular to the following aspects:-

Contribution to the County’s Economic Development 7.2 The opening of a new Quarry at Haddiscoe will make a significant contribution towards the economic development of Norfolk and also to the national economy. In the case of the Applicant this contribution is likely to be particularly locally focussed, as Earsham Gravels Limited is a small company operating at present only from Earsham Quarry in South Norfolk and Quarry on the outskirts of Norwich. Much of the income generated by the Company is therefore already earned and spent locally and the opening of a new Quarry at Haddiscoe will reinforce this situation.

7.3 Using figures taken from the last 3 years of operation and taking projected reserves and sales at Haddisoce, it is possible to give a reasonably accurate estimate of future turnover likely to be generated by the new Quarry. On this basis, it is also possible to give an indication as to the relative proportions which will be reinvested into the local economy and into the wider national economy.

7.4 The following contributions are likely to be made into the local and national economies over the life of Haddiscoe Quarry:-  Local Economy (Purchases, Wages & Salaries, Royalties, Rent, Rates, Professional Fees, etc) – c£26,000,000.  National Economy (Taxes, Insurance, Utilities, Bank Charges, etc) – c£8,000,000. Clearly, therefore the granting of planning permission to this proposal will have significant benefits to both the local and national economy.

Creation of Jobs 7.5 There are clear benefits to the community in the creation of an additional 4 full time and 2 part time employment positions as a direct result of this proposal. In addition several other existing full time and part time positions will be secured. It should also be emphasised the new employment positions will be available to suitably qualified and competent individuals drawn from south Norfolk and north .

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The Provision of Extracted Minerals 7.6 The site at Haddiscoe will enable the Company to expand sales of aggregate across a wider market area in particular for the first time being able to competitively supply the / Lowestoft conurbation. This is an urban area currently not well served by existing sources of land-won aggregate and one identified by the Company as being likely to consume a significant proportion of Haddiscoe sales. The site will also enable the Company to reinforce its presence in this part of Norfolk and in supplying the market towns of the Waveney valley as well as the larger rural hinterland of south Norfolk and north Suffolk. There are clear benefits to be gained from the provision of aggregates close to the point of demand both in terms of final cost to the consumer as well as minimising the impact on the environment resulting from the haulage of the mineral.

Creation of a Wildlife Habitat 7.7 The proposal to restore the main extraction area to a mixture of wet and dry grassland, extensive areas of landscaping with reed bed and open water coupled with a long term aftercare and management plan, has been to date, well received in the consultation process. The following comments are an extract from the consultation response received from the County Ecologist: ‘The short to medium term negative impacts caused by the disturbance will be outweighed by the long-term habitat creation and benefits to flora and fauna, including protected and Biodiversity Action Plan species and habitats.

The proposed restoration habitats are suitable for the location and will create a large overall area that is of benefit to many species.

There will be minimal disturbance to existing habitats with most extraction being confined to existing arable land. Disturbance to wildlife will be mitigated by avoiding important times of year for wildlife, inline with best practice and Wildlife &Countryside Act guidelines.’

Creation of a Public Resource 7.8 Comprehensive proposals for the creation of permanent public access through staged formation of footpaths and a car park are included with this additional information (refer to Section 4.0 above).

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