Act now to stop a huge new sandpit at Fittleworth and Bury.
A designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is under threat near Fittleworth in West Sussex.
UPDATE
24th May 2011. The Planning Application has been withdrawn by the applicant. Thank you to everyone who has campaigned to stop the sandpit.
Campaign against Horncroft- Update dated January 19th 2011
Protest Gathering 9.15am Friday 28th January at WSCC County Hall in Chichester. The petition, currently being signed, will be presented by Nick Herbert MP to WSCC at County Hall . Local press and TV will join and we encourage everyone who wants to show their opposition to the application to be there. Please arrive by 9.15am.
Google maps link:
Petition- please sign: Thank you to all who have signed the petition. We have over 350 signatures already. Please could anyone who has not signed and wishes to, do so before midday on January 26th. The petition can be found at Village Shops, Schools, Post Offices, Southview Farm and Sussex Farm Foods
Please comment on the application: If you have not already done so, please do send your comments to WSCC – before February 11th. The Planning Application is athttp://eplanning.westsussex.gov.uk/ePlanningOPS/loadFullDetails.do?aplId=1183 and comments can be made on this website of by e mail to james.neave@westsussex.gov.uk. The reference for the planning application is WSCC/053/10/BY
UPDATE:THE APPLICANT HAS REVISED THE PLANNING APPLICATION PROPOSALS FOR THE HORNCROFT SANDPIT & SUPPLIED WSCC WITH NEW PLANS & FURTHER INFORMATION. YOU ARE INVITED TO MAKE FURTHER COMMENTS & OBJECTIONS TO THE NEW PLAN.THE DEADLINE TO OBJECT TO WEST SUSSEX COUNTY COUNCIL IS NOW EXTENDED 11/2/2011. DETAILS OF HOW TO OBJECT AND COMMENT ON THE REVISED PLAN ARE IN THE BELOW EMAIL FROM WEST SUSSEX COUNTY COUNCIL.
IF YOU REMAIN CONCERNED ABOUT THIS APPLICATION, EVEN AFTER THE CHANGES TO THE PLAN, YOU MUST AGAIN TELL WEST SUSSEX COUNTY COUNCIL WHY YOU OBJECT EVEN IF ONLY A SHORT REPLY. IF YOU DID NOT RESPOND OR OBJECT PREVIOUSLY AND WOULD LIKE TO DO SO, PLEASE DO SO NOW. DETAILS ON HOW TO OBJECT ARE BELOW. YOU CAN OBJECT BY EMAIL TO:
WSCC EMAIL:
"Application Number: WSCC/053/10/BY
Address: Horncroft Common/Coates Quarry, Tripp Hill, West Sussex, RH20 1EX
Proposal: Extraction of 1.5 million tonnes of sand, new temporary access, landscaping, erection of temporary office and plant to process the sand, weighbridge, wheel washing, water extraction borehole, earthworks and landscaping and restoration
Applicant: The Barlavington Estate
Grid Reference: 499886 117141
I write to inform you that in response to a request for further information by WSCC (dated 28 May 2010) and concerns raised by local residents and consultees, the applicant has revised the proposals and supplied WSCC with additional/revised plans and further information in support of the current planning application for the proposed sand quarry.
You are invited to make further comments concerning the above proposal. The deadline for the return of comments is 21 January 2011. For clarity, your previous response will still be given consideration but this does not preclude you from submitting comments on the revised proposals.
The further information is available for public inspection on West Sussex County Councils website http://buildings.westsussex.gov.uk/ePlanningOPS/loadFullDetails.do?aplId=1183 and in hard copy at County Development Division, West Sussex County Council, County Hall, Chichester PO19 1RG, at Chichester District Council, or at Horsham District Council, during all reasonable office hours. Viewings should be arranged in advance to ensure that planning files and officer support, where necessary, are readily available.
I would suggest that the following documents submitted by the applicant (available on our website) provide the best overview of the amendments to the proposals;
Covering Letter - 01 12 2010: This broadly sets out the revised proposals and gives an overview of the how the submitted information meets with that requested by WSCC.
Vol 3 - HORN 3 Rev F - Phasing plan: This plan details the revised phasing (now omitting extraction in Mansby Field).
Vol 1 - Chapter 1 Introduction: This sets out the key similarities and differences to the original proposals and identifies in detail how the revised documentation corresponds/supersedes that previously submitted.
Vol 1 - Chapter 3 The Revised Proposal: This sets out the revised proposals in detail.
Planning Assessment - updated Nov 2010: This is a revised planning statement setting out the proposals and key material/policy considerations.
Review of Consultation Responses April - November 2010: This sets out the applicant’s appraisal of key issues raised during the application process to date, and a response to those matters raised.
* Please note that these are only suggestions to aid in identifying where revisions have been made. They should be read in conjunction with the full application details (as amended) available on our website.*
Comments/representations can be sent by letter, email (to planning.applications@westsussex.gov.uk) or preferably submitted via the WSCC website. When submitting comments on an application, you should include your name and address and the application number. Comments submitted without a name and address will be classed as 'anonymous' and the County Council may not be able to keep you informed of the application's progress, or fully understand the matters you raise. Where possible comments will be acknowledged, and made available for public inspection on the website and at County Hall in Chichester. Phone numbers, signatures, and email addresses will be hidden. Do not include any personal information that you would not wish to be publicly available.
All material matters raised in representations received before the deadline date (as above) will be given careful consideration before the application is determined. Late representations, where possible, will be considered whilst the application continues to be processed, prior to determination. Unfortunately, individual replies to points or questions you raise cannot be provided.
The application will be considered by the Planning Committee upon completion of the Planning Officers report. Committee meetings are open to the public and both objectors and supporters of an application may, with prior approval, speak at the meeting. The report prepared by officers will be sent in advance of the meeting, by post or email, to all those who made representations on the application.
Details about this process are available on the WSCC website http://www.westsussex.gov.uk/your_council/meetings_and_decision-making/meetings/statutory_committees/planning_committee/agendas_and_minutes.aspx or in hard copy (please contact Member Services 01243 752702).
If you have submitted a representation, in due course, you will also be notified by post or email about the decision reached on the application.
If you have any queries, please contact the case officer James Neave (phone: 01243 756864 email: planning.applications@westsussex.gov.uk)"
END.
You need to act now to stop this huge new sandpit at Fittleworth and Bury.
This proposed new sandpit site and processing plant lies within the heart of the new South Downs National Park. It is a much loved, and used area of part woodland and farmland. It is a designated area of outstanding natural beauty, and tranquility.
Walkers and riders have visited this area for many years to enjoy the wild heathland, woods, and fabulous views of the South Downs escarpment.
The new proposal is to extract and process 1.5 million tonnes of sand at the site, over a 20 year period at a rate of approximately 75,000 tonnes per annum and will involve at least 40 new HGV journeys per day, five and a half days a week, from 7am till 5pm. This could be up to 60 HGV journeys per day.
Horncroft deserves to be protected and saved from the impending threat of sand extraction over a twenty year period. What is the point of having a new National Park if it is going to be destroyed for commercial gain? Is the need for sand in West Sussex greater than the loss of part of our new National Park? The criteria for any new sites for sand extraction should be that they are outside the boundaries of the new South Downs National Park.
Although the planning application is described as a local matter by West Sussex County Council, and has been submitted to West Sussex County Council, whilst the South Downs National Park authority is in its transitional period until April 2011, this application is of national and regional importance as it is within a National Park, since it comes under national park legislation to conserve landscape and amenity. If the application is successful It may be seen to set a precedent for other new mineral extraction site within all National Parks.
The unique landscape of Horncroft will be lost forever if the sandpit goes ahead. The proposed site has over 59 rare and endangered species of flora and fauna within a one km radius of the site (The Sussex Biodiversity Records Centre http://sxbrc.org.uk/ ).
This includes the SSSI (a Site of nationally important Special Scientific Interest) at Coates Castle, & now designated (April 2010) SNCI areas bordering the site at Horncroft Farm (Site of Nature Conservation Importance).
From the surrounding open access land and public rights of way, the quarry will be ugly, noisy, dusty, and will spoil the enjoyment of this tranquil rural area.
The noise, dust, visual impact, and damage to the local ecology from this new development will be devastating.
It may disfigure the distant landscape when seen from the top of the South Downs escarpment on the South Downs Way, from certain points along local lanes, and from the north-facing slopes above the River Rother and Hesworth Common. It will certainly be seen from the open access Heathland at Lord’s Piece.
The developer has said that they will stop the HGV drivers from turning left from the site towards Fittleworth on the B2138 which would be impossible to effectively enforce. But also there is nothing to stop the empty inward HGV's from arriving through Fittleworth itself. The HGV's are noisier when empty too. The B2138 is signposted at both ends as unfit for HGV’s.
Details of the developer’s proposal can be found at http://www.proposedhorncroftsandpit.co.uk/
Google maps link to the site: http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=&daddr=&geocode=&hl=en&mra=ls&sll=50.942952,-0.56853&sspn=0.008045,0.022724&ie=UTF8&ll=50.944219,-0.574744&spn=0.008044,0.022724&t=h&z=16
These rare and endangered species and their habitat cannot fail to be affected by the sand extraction and processing at Horncroft, regardless of any mitigation by the developer. The developer and landowner claims that the site is of 'poor' ecological value – It is however currently signposted as a 'nature conservation area'.
The Horncroft site has been rejected on two previous occasions by West Sussex County Council; both in 1998 and then again in 2005 and consequently was not included on the long list of potential sites when it was intended to be a much smaller site, in rejecting the Horncroft site the Inspector said:
"In my view, the harm to the landscape if mineral working were to take place would be serious and, in addition, the commercial activity would damage the enjoyment of people who come to appreciate the remote and tranquil character of the AONB"
Relevant web links to this:http://www.westsussex.gov.uk/environment/seera/j_hrncrft.pdf
However the draft Strategic Mineral Sites paper (and the other background papers) are the subject of a consultation exercise that has just finished –comments were being invited only up until 26 February 2010
http://www.westsussex.gov.uk/yourcouncil/ppri/mwdf/bp5_v2.pdf
The public consultation has now finished and we await the County’s final document to see whether it changes its mind on supporting new quarrying in the National Park. However, the planning application for the Horncroft Sandpit site, by the developer Barlavington Estate has now just been received by West Sussex County Council.
You need to act now to save this area of outstanding natural beauty.
Act now to stop the loss of this area of woodland, and designated outstanding natural beauty, the effect of loosing not only these woods, but this unique habitat for wildlife, which includes (within a one km radius of the site), many species of Owls, Bats, Foxes, Badgers, Adders, Slow Worms, Dormice, Common Lizards, Bluebells, and many other rare species of flora and fauna. This includes some of the rarest species of plants in the country and the endangered Field Crickets which are a protected species at the Heathland Project @ Lord's Piece that adjoins the proposed site. There is a record of Wood Lark being present on the site itself which are Schedule 1 birds, a Red List species that is globally threatened, and a Biodiversity Action Plan Species (BAP).
There is a large variety of trees that would be felled if the proposal is successful, both ancient Oaks, Beeches, and commercially planted Pines and Chestnuts too.
The Woodland Trust backs the campaign to stop the Horncroft sandpit http://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/en/campaigning/woodwatch/woodwatchers/Pages/woodwatch-horncroft.aspx
The site is used by walkers and riders, who have enjoyed this area of outstanding natural beauty for many years. Footpaths, bridleways, and the Serpent Trail run alongside the site area.
The small stream and associated streamside habitat that bisects the site could be severely damaged; this stream runs into the pure waters of River Rother, which provides drinking water. Mature trees and carpets of bluebells will be removed, Dormouse, Badger and Bat (European Protected Species) habitats and roosts destroyed. While the developer claims that the site is of 'poor' ecological value, it is however currently signposted as a 'nature conservation area'. The developer also claims that with progressive restoration, the quarry will eventually be more valuable for wildlife, but even if this does become the case, it does not take into account the very long time that would be required.This is the equivalent of tearing down Westminster Abbey and then rebuilding it.
This is poor justification for what will be a hugely devastating overall development in terms of ecology and loss of public amenity.
The same landowner/developer owns the adjacent open access land at Lord’s Piece that has benefited from Heritage Lottery and public funding for nature conservation and amenity.
Along the perimeter of the proposed site are numerous public rights of way, including the recently established Serpent Trail. Visitors from far and wide, including the large urban centres of London and Portsmouth, come to enjoy the quiet beauty and amenity of this wonderful area.
What is the point of having a new National Park if it is only going to be destroyed for commercial gain?
This area must be conserved and managed sensitively for our future generations.
The criteria for any new major development such as this quarry should be that they are outside the South Downs National Park
What you can do to stop the Horncroft Sandpit.
Tell as many local people as possible about the proposed sandpit. Write to the Parish Councils.
Object to the planning application:
Make your views known by writing to West Sussex County Council.
The application has now been submitted to the council. The application is now validated so the general public can now comment and object. You have until the 21st Jan 2011 to do so.
If the developer is granted planning permission then they will be able to begin work on extracting the sand without waiting for a decision regarding the West Sussex Minerals and Waste Plan.
You can write and object to the planning application within 21 days, details of the application and how to object will be on West Sussex County Council's website:
Link to application, enter application number WSCC/053/10/BY : http://eplanning.westsussex.gov.uk/ePlanningOPS/searchPageLoad.do
The Horncroft Sandpit application number is: WSCC/053/10/BY
Write to James Neave
Consultant Planner, County Development, West Sussex County Council, 2nd Floor, Northleigh, County Hall, Chichester,West Sussex, PO19 1RG.
01243 777258 E-mail: james.neave@westsussex.gov.uk
OR
West Sussex County Council, County Development, West Sussex County Council, The Grange, Tower Street, CHICHESTER, West Sussex, PO19 1RG.
- E-mail address: county.development@westsussex.gov.uk.
- T: 01243 642118.
- Fax: 01243 756862.
Letters should be concerned with material matters only i.e: relating to planning policy and specific points. For example, whether mineral extraction should be allowed within an area of outstanding natural beauty. Whether new mineral extraction sites should be within the new South Downs National Park. Ecology; loss of existing habitat on the site itself and the effect of extraction on surrounding nature conservation sites, traffic; increased HGV movement, noise pollution, dust pollution, light pollution, loss of public amenity. and visual scarring of the landscape.
Your letters should not be about loss of property values, as this is not considered relevant for planning applications.
Send a copy of your letter to the local parish councils either by post or email see below.
Write to Caroline Spelman, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and Eric Pickles MP Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government
It is likely that the decision whether to allow mineral extraction within the new South Downs National Park may be referred to and ultimately decided by the Secretary Of State for the Environment and Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government . So write or email to Eric Pickles & Caroline Spelman opposing the Horncroft sandpit site, on the grounds that it is within the new South Downs National park and any new mineral extraction sites should not be allowed within national Parks.
Contact
The postal address for contacting all Defra's ministers is:
Defra
Nobel House
17 Smith Square
London SW1P 3JR
Emails can be sent to ministers via the Defra helpline: helpline@defra.gsi.gov.uk
Parliamentary private secretaries
Parliamentary private secretaries can be contacted at the House of Commons on 020 7219 3000. http://www.defra.gov.uk/
Postal address for letters to: Eric Pickles MP, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Eland House, Bressenden Place, London, SW1E 5DU
Due to the general election this will not be dealt with until after May 6th so letters to the different Secretary of States should also be copied to Mark Plummer Mark.Plummer@communities.gsi.gov.uk
Parish Councils
Bury Parish Council
The Horncroft sandpit proposed site at Horncroft Common is in the parish of Bury (http://buryparishcouncil.org.uk/.)
- Parish Clerk; Mrs. Louise Collis,
- Glebe Cottage, Church Lane, Bury, West Sussex, RH20 1PB
- Tel: 01798 839078
- Email address: buryparishcouncil@btinternet.com
- Bury Parish Council Chairman: Ray Weatherly
Other District and County Council Representatives:
District Councillor:
Bury Ward District Councillor
Mr J F Elliott
Flint Cottage
26 Charlton
Chichester
West Sussex
PO18 0HU
Email: jelliott@chichester.gov.uk
Tel: (01243) 811786
Committees:
- Area Development Control Committee (North)
County Councilor:
Mr. Michael Brown,
- Staplefords, Barlavington Lane, Sutton, Pulborough, West Sussex,RH20 1PN
- Tel:01798 869313
- Email: michael.brown@westsussex.gov.uk
Deputy leader of the Council, Chichester County Council
Mill House
Iping
Midhurst
West Sussex
GU29 0PF
Email: jcherry@chichester.gov.uk
Tel: 01730 813793
Committees
- Executive Board Portfolio Holder for Resources
Other relevant Parish Councils
The Horncroft sandpit will also affect the Parish Councils of Fittleworth, and Bignor.
Fittleworth Parish Council.
- Dyers Cottage, Little Bognor, Fittleworth, Pulborough, West Sussex, RH20 1JT
- Tel: 01798 865058
- Anthony Poole – Chairman of PC
- Mr.P.Henderson – Clerk aphen@f2s.com
Bignor Parish Council
- 1 Malthouse Cottages, Back Lane, Bignor, Pulborough, West Sussex, RH20 1PQ
- Tel: 01798 869333
- Louise Collis is also clerk of Bignor Parish Council
- Mrs Anna Gillam – Chair
- swift@waitrose.com
Write to your local MP
Nick Herbert objects to the Horncroft site 6th April 2010
See Nick Herbert's objection: http://www.nickherbert.com/news.php/299/MP%20objects%20to%20waste%20&%20mineral%20plans
Write, or email Mr. Nick Herbert,
- MP for Arundel and South Downs (Shadow Secretary of State for the Environment).
- nick@nickherbert.com
- House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA
- http://www.nickherbert.com/home.aspx
Write to the press.
- The Midhurst and Petworth Observer
- http://www.midhurstandpetworth.co.uk/
- Contact; Jane Hunt Jane.Hunt@chiobserver.co.uk
- West Sussex Gazette Jeannie Hunt Jeannie Knight Jeannie.Knight@sussexnewspapers.co.uk
Write to other local and national newspapers
- Links to previous press articles http://www.bognor.co.uk/6430/New-plans-to-quarry-sand.5795178.jp
- http://www.midhurstandpetworth.co.uk/news/Sand-quarrying-at-Fittleworth-fears.5815087.jp
- http://www.chichester.co.uk/6430/VOTE-Battle-hots-up-to.6245506.jp
- http://www.wscountytimes.co.uk/district/Villagers39-anger-at-Downs-sandpit.6254043.jp
- http://www.westsussextoday.co.uk/ws/Proposed-sandpit-would-39-set.6259015.jp
Some of the potential impacts on our community as a consequence of the new sand pit at Horncroft:
- 1. Ecology; loss of a designated area of outstanding natural beauty within the new South Downs National park, loss of species and unique habitat, significant long term damage to the tranquility & sense of rural remoteness of this beautiful protected countryside.
- 2. Loss of public amenity, impact on the amenity value of the statutory Open Access land at Lord’s Piece, the public rights of way & Heritage Lottery Funded Serpent Trail that run alongside the quarry site, all very popular with local people & visitors, & with potential to become more so.
- 3. Traffic. At least 40 new HGV journeys per day which will cause unacceptable and uncontrollable heavy vehicle movements through the rural settlements of Fittleworth, Tripp Hill, Bury, Coldwaltham, Coates & the quiet, historic lanes around them.
- 4. Noise pollution caused by both the HGV’s and the sand extraction processing.
- 5. Light and dust pollution from the sand extraction processing and HGV’s
- 6. Damage to the local economy; Loss of potential economic benefits for the local community from tourism-related enterprises by adversely affecting future visitor numbers to this part of the future National Park because we no longer offer the landscape & tranquil qualities that they seek
- 7. Damage to the local hydrology and water table and the subsequent effect on the ecology of the area from on site processing of the sand. By using the water from the stream and if not used there is still the risk of potential contamination of the stream by diesel spillage.
- 8. Visual scaring of the landscape by 20 years of sand extraction.
West Sussex County Council Planning Committee Members they will decide the outcome of the Horncroft sandpit application, they should be sent copies of your objection letters
The Planning Committee Members are as follows:-
Committee members
Mr Michael Brown
Mrs Christina Coleman (Vice-Chairman)
Mr Brian Coomber
Mr James Doyle
Mrs Christine Field
Mr Warwick Hellawell
Mr John Livermore (Chairman)
Mr Simon McDougall
Mrs Janet Mockridge
Mr Pieter Montyn
Mr Nigel Peters
Mr Robin Rogers
Mr Steve Waight
Substitutes:
Mr Bill Acraman
Mr George Blampied
Mr Brian Hall
Mr Peter Jones
Mrs Angie Mills
Mrs Morwen Millson
Mr David Simmons
Mr Andrew Smith
Contact details for this committee
For any enquiries please contact Matthew Evans, Member Services Officer.
Tel: 01243 752702
E-mail: matthew.evans@westsussex.gov.uk
Please following link
http://www.westsussex.gov.uk/ccm/content/your-council/meetings-and-decisions/planning-committee.en
CPRE National Office
128 Southwark Street
London, SE1 0SW
Tel: 020 7981 2800
Fax: 020 7981 2899
info@cpre.org.uk
Stuart Meier – Chairman
Sussex CPRE
info@cpresussex.org.uk
Campaign for National Parks
6-7 Barnard Mews
London SW11 1QU
Tel: 020 7924 4077
Fax: 020 7924 5761
Ruth Chambers
Ruth@cnp.org.uk
The South Downs society
2 Swan Court
Station Road
Pulborough,
RH20 1RL
Tel: 01798 875073
Fax: 01798 873108
Steve Ankers – Planning Officer
info@southdownssociety.org.uk
West Sussex County Council Ecology Department
West Sussex County Council
Rural Operations Group
The Grange
County Hall
Chichester
Graham Roberts Ecologist <graham.roberts@westsussex.gov.uk>
Tel: 01243777227
South Downs Joint Committee
Victorian Barn
Victorian Business Centre
Ford Lane
Ford
Nr Arundel
West Sussex BN18 0EF
Tel: 01243 558700
Fax: 01243 558701
Martin Small; Planning Officer
Bruce Middleton; Ecologist
comms@southdowns-aonb.gov.uk
The Sussex Biodiversity Records Centre (hold records of the wildlife at the site)
http://sxbrc.org.uk/
The Woodland Trust
Graham Bradley
Woods under Threat Team Leader
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