East Surrey MP, Peter Ainsworth has responded to constituents’ concerns and lodged his formal objections to Surrey County Council proposals to quarry sand next to an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Rest Responding to proposals to include Mercers Farm in the Surrey Minerals Plan, Peter Ainsworth has written to Surrey County Council expressing his concerns about the proposals and asking his views to be taken into consideration as part of the formal consultation.
In his submission, Mr Ainsworth has expressed anxiety about the visual impact of the development of Mercers Farm which, as well as being in close proximity to an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty; could have an adverse impact on local wildlife. He has also pointed out that the heavy goods vehicles needed to service the site would cause noise and pollution for nearby residents.
He went on to echo the concerns of Tandridge District Council about the inadequacy of drainage in the Nutfield Marsh area following the removal of large volumes of sand from the Mercers Farm site.
Mr Ainsworth has also expressed concern about the extension of Oxted Sandpit, which is also proposed in the plans, saying that Tandridge Hill Lane appears “totally unsuitable for use by heavy goods vehicles”.
Notes to Editors
1) The Surrey Minerals Plan Preferred Option Consultation can be viewed using the following link:
http://www.surreycc.gov.uk/mineralsplan
2) The full text of Peter Ainsworth’s submission to Surrey County Council is below:
A number of my constituents have expressed concern regarding the choice of potential mineral zones within the Tandridge area (Shown as areas P and Q on the Minerals Proposals map). I have urged them to take part in the consultation process but I felt it might be helpful if I were to sum up some of the concerns that have been expressed to me over the last few weeks.
Should these developments be approved they would, in my opinion, represent a inappropriate use of green belt land and I would ask you to reconsider their inclusion in the Surrey Minerals Plan,
I have personally visited the Mercers Farm site, which I gather is being proposed as a preferred site for sand extraction, and is of particular concern to me. My principle objection to the inclusion of this site in the plan is it’s proximity to an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and an Area of Great Landscape Value. The visual impact of such a development must be considered in tandem with concerns for the biodiversity of the area. I am told that at present, the site provides habitat for Wintering Lapwing, Bullfinch and Reed Bunting amongst other species.
I am also told that Tandridge District Council has expressed concerns about implications for drainage in the Nutfield Marsh area in the event of sand extraction from the Mercers Farm site.
I have further concerns about the demands the use of either or both sites may place upon the local transport infrastructure and its impact the rural character of the area. The development of both of these sites for sand extraction would inevitably increase the volume of heavy goods traffic along the A25 through Nutfield, Bletchingley and Godstone and have an adverse impact on nearby residents both in terms of noise and pollution. With regard to the Oxted Sandpit Extension, Tandridge Hill Lane appears totally unsuitable for use by heavy goods vehicles.
I very much hope that you will consider these comments as part of your consultation on the preferred options of the Surrey Minerals Plan.
Yours sincerely,
Peter Ainsworth MP
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