Suffolk Minerals & Waste Local Plan, Wangford, September 2017

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Suffolk Minerals & Waste Local Plan, Wordwell, September 2017

Contact

Graham Gunby Senior Policy Officer: Minerals & Waste Policy Planning & Development Section Resource Management Suffolk County Council 8 Russell Road Ipswich Suffolk IP1 2BX

Tel: 01473 264807 Email: [email protected] Website: www.suffolk.gov.uk

For more information about our minerals and waste planning policy go to: https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/planning-waste-and-environment/planning- applications/minerals-and-waste-policy/

Cover photograph acknowledgements:

1. Gt Blakenham Energy from Waste Facility, courtesy of SUEZ Recycling and Recovery UK Ltd, and;

2. Quarry, with permission from Allen Newport Ltd.

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Suffolk Minerals & Waste Local Plan, Wordwell, September 2017

CONTENTS 2. Executive Summary ...... 4 3. Proposed development ...... 4 4. Geology ...... 4 5. Development Plan and planning applications ...... 4 6. Consultation responses ...... 4 7. Conclusions ...... 7 8. Conclusion ...... 8 9. Recommendation ...... 8 Appendix 1 Representation E38, Allen Newport, Wordwell ...... 9 Appendix 2 Geological Report ...... 17 Appendix 3 Constraints Maps ...... 58 Appendix 4 Fluvial Flood Maps ...... 61 Appendix 5 Photographs ...... 63

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Suffolk Minerals & Waste Local Plan, Wordwell, September 2017

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1.1 As a result of a “call for sites” included within the Suffolk Minerals & Waste Local Plan Issue & Options Consultation which ran from the 29 November until the 6 February a number of sites were put forward for consideration. 1.2 One site was put forward for consideration at Wordwell. 1.3 Following consideration of the supporting information, the views of internal consultees and of the proposals against the stated site selection criteria, the proposed quarry was not recommended for inclusion in the draft Plan.

2. PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT 2.1 The proposed quarry (see Appendices) was submitted on behalf of Allen Newport. Restoration would be at a lower level. 2.2 The proposed road access to the site would utilise the C631 which is not part of the Suffolk Lorry Route Network to access the A1101. When travelling along the C631 the, quarry traffic would pass the Country Park and some isolated residential properties.

3. GEOLOGY 3.1 The supporting geological evidence (see Appendix 2) indicates that a total extractable resource of 1.53 Mt of sand and gravel is contained within the site. The potential mineral resource is on average made up of 38% gravel, 58% sand and 4% fines.

4. DEVELOPMENT PLAN AND PLANNING APPLICATIONS 4.1 As of May 2017, the Development Plan for the area is made up of the following documents: a) Suffolk Minerals Core Strategy 2008; b) Suffolk Minerals Specific Site Allocations 2009; c) Suffolk Waste Core Strategy 2011; d) SEBC Core Strategy 2010; e) SEBC Rural Vision 2031 f) SEBC/FHDC Joint Development Management Policies 2015 4.2 There are no adopted plan proposals that conflict with the proposed site. 4.3 There are no planning applications that conflict with the proposed site.

5. CONSULTATION RESPONSES Highways

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Suffolk Minerals & Waste Local Plan, Wordwell, September 2017

5.1 No objection. Conditional on agreeing suitable access including visibility and prevention of HGV traffic to/from east (Village). Landscape 5.2 Object. Site visit indicates risk of significant amenity and landscape impacts. The development would surround an existing residential property on three sides. The development would also result in the loss of the long-established river valley environment with a designated Special Landscape Area. Historic Buildings 5.3 No objection. Conditional as within 150m of Grade I listed building. Archaeology 5.4 Object because this site has extremely high potential for heritage assets with archaeological interest relating to a wide range of periods. Substantial evidence for occupation of later prehistoric, Roman, Anglo-Saxon and Medieval date (WSW 026, WRW 061), from the vicinity, and derived principally from artefact scatters and metal-detecting finds, is recorded on the County Historic Environment Record database (HER) and national PAS database. The very large numbers of finds and extensive spread across fields to both east and west of the proposed extraction site, is suggestive of substantial Roman to Medieval settlement, which may include structural remains and cemeteries. A deserted Medieval Village (WRW 003) is recorded immediately east of All Saints church, and the line of a Roman Road (WSW 069) forms the southern boundary of part of the site, and crosses the south-west quadrant. Of particular note is the high potential for archaeological and palaeo-environmental remains of Palaeolithic date, associated with deposits of the Lowestoft formation and proto- Thames river Terrace gravels in this location. Antiquarian finds of Palaeolithic Implements (WSW 010) are recorded from a small historic (disused) extraction pit west of the proposed site. 5.5 Archaeological field evaluation, and deposit modelling for Palaeolithic potential, will be required at an appropriate stage prior to the granting of any planning permission to allow for preservation in situ, where appropriate, of any sites of importance that might be defined (and which are currently unknown) and to allow archaeological preservation or mitigation strategies to be designed. 5.6 Extensive and costly archaeological mitigation is very likely for this site. There is also significant potential that archaeological remains must be identified of sufficient importance to trigger NPPF 139. Ecology 5.7 Object because of the potential significant adverse impacts upon nature conservation interest including Breckland SPA, Breckland Forest SSSI, CWS, Park and Lake, RNR, SWT Reserve, European Protected

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Suffolk Minerals & Waste Local Plan, Wordwell, September 2017

Species (Bats), Priority BAP Species, Other Protected Species (Stone Curlew, Woodlark, Nightjar), Priority Habitats. 5.8 Site visit indicates that there would be the loss of existing flora and fauna and river valley environment that are not found the wider dryer surrounding area. Air Quality 5.9 A mineral extraction site is proposed for a large area of land to the west of Brandon Road and north of Ingham Road, Wordwell, within the St Edmundsbury District Council area. The site is currently agricultural land. It is anticipated that the site would become operational by 2020/22. 5.10 Air Quality near the site is currently good; the closest Air Quality Management Area is located approximately 19.5km southwest of the site; in Newmarket. 5.11 A number of residential properties lie within 250m of the proposed site boundary. This includes properties to the North of Ingham road which are bounded to the northeast and northwest by the proposed quarry site. A ‘standoff’ buffer is indicated on drawings, within which screening bunds could be installed as mitigation, if required. This would increase the separation distance between works and the identified residential properties. 5.12 The site lies adjacent to Breckland Farmland SSSI and Breckland SPA. Features sensitive to nitrogen deposition are identified by APIS for these sites. 5.13 The number of HGVs generated by the proposals is not currently known, as the full results of the geological investigations are not yet available from which this can be determined. It is considered unlikely that additional traffic generated by the proposed extraction site will exceed the thresholds defined within IAQM/EPUK guidance, and therefore traffic emissions are unlikely to significantly increase local pollutant concentrations. 5.14 It is expected that an Air Quality Assessment would be submitted with the planning application for the site which considers the potential impacts of increased dust and pollutant concentrations associated with the extraction process, and which defines the mitigation and monitoring which will be implemented at the site to minimize the identified risk of impacts at the identified receptors. Noise 5.15 Assuming standard mitigation measures such as the use of earth screening bunds along with an additional stand-off buffer. Public Rights of Way 5.16 Proposed site severs two public footpaths. This affects Wordwell FP3/West Stow FP1 and Wordwell FP2/ West Stow FP4. These are keen links to the east of the forest and linking to Wordwell church. We would wish to see both routes diverted with potential links to the main part of Kings Forest to the west. There are a

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Suffolk Minerals & Waste Local Plan, Wordwell, September 2017

number of options for potential routes using some existing tracks. We would need to see a north south link and also an east west link. These could both border the site and would need to have adequate fencing from the site. I would envisage this to be a permanent diversion as it could provide better links to the West Stow village. I also feel that the site boundary could be adjusted to remove the northern point. The footpath alignment could remain on its definitive line bordering the north and west of the site then diverted onto the track heading south west towards West Stow village. Floods 5.17 Wordwell- Network of drains in the northern sector could be affected. No SPZ but within a principle chalk aquifer.

6. CONCLUSIONS

ABSOLUTE CRITERIA Geology 6.1 The geological information estimates that 1.53 Mt tonnes of sand and gravel are recoverable. The quality the sand and gravel is reasonably good. Highways 6.2 The County Highways Authority have not object to the proposed highways access arrangements, subject to traffic not routeing through West Stow. Landscape 6.3 The County Landscape Development Officer objects based on the potential impacts upon residential amenity and landscape. Cultural Heritage 6.4 The Historic Buildings Officer raises no objection in terms of the potential impact upon historic buildings. 6.5 The County Archaeologist objects because of the high archaeological potential of the site. Ecology 6.6 The County Ecologist objects to the potential loss of existing flora and fauna within the river valley environment that are not found the wider dryer surrounding area. Public Amenity 6.7 The County Air Quality Consultant has identified that there are a number of sensitive receptors within the vicinity of the proposed quarry and that an Air Quality Assessment will be required at the planning application stage.

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Suffolk Minerals & Waste Local Plan, Wordwell, September 2017

6.8 The County Noise Consultant concludes that with standard noise mitigation techniques the levels of noise generated will be within excepted guidelines. A full noise assessment would be required at the planning application stage. 6.9 The County Public Rights of Way Officer would require mitigation for the disturbance to Public Rights of Way.

COMPARATIVE CRITERIA Air Quality 6.10 No impacts upon identified Air Quality Management Areas was identified. Climate Change Mitigation 6.11 No figure provided therefore Minerals Product Association figure of 3.5kg of CO2/tonne of sand and gravel assumed. Economy 6.12 There would be six jobs created. Housing 6.13 80-100% of sand and gravel sold within Suffolk. Soil 6.14 Agricultural land is Grade 4. Waste 6.15 Silt would be used in restoration. Water 6.16 Dry working with passive dewatering.

7. CONCLUSION 7.1 There are significant constraints in terms of ecology, archaeology, landscape and amenity.

8. RECOMMENDATION 8.1 It is recommended that this site is not included within the draft Plan.

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