Embedded Files
Principal Planner (Minerals and Waste Policy)The latest update to the County Council website concerning this matter may be seen here
Principal Planner (Minerals and Waste Policy)The latest update to the County Council website concerning this matter may be seen here
The following is extracted from that report:-
The following is extracted from that report:-
Main issue 2: whether the allocated site and areas of search are
acceptable in environmental terms and in all other regards
Area of Search D (West Bilney)
21. AoS D covers an area of some 85 hectares. A large proportion of AoS D (53
hectares) is a public open access area, as dedicated under the Countryside
and Rights of Way Act (2000). It was evident from my site visit that the
public open access area is very well used by the local community and its value
to them is clearly important. I consider that it is unlikely that a site of some
20 hectares could come forward within AoS D without causing considerable
harm to the public open access area, which would run contrary to Paragraph
75 of the NPPF, which states ‘Planning policies should protect and enhance
public rights of way and access’
22. Whilst such harm would be temporary, this would still be for a considerable
period of time (in the region of 5 years). Further, there are no guarantees
that following restoration, a suitable or equivalent level of public open access
space could be achieved, given that in most cases, sites in the area are
restored to water bodies.
23. The Council suggested that even if the public open access area was removed
from AoS D there would still be over 20 hectares of land in which a site could
feasibly come forward. However, this would result in an isolated parcel of land
without any direct access onto a local highway. Given this, I consider that it is
unlikely to be attractive to a potential operator and I am not convinced that
there is a reasonable likelihood that the remaining part of the site would be
deliverable.
24. I have identified above that when taking into account all of my findings, the
AoS would cover an area of 946 hectares and that this is a suitable level of
provision, given the uncertainties involved and the need for some flexibility
should the future need for silica sand increase. Consequently, at the present
time, there is simply no need to allocate AoS D, which would result in
demonstrable harm to the public open access area.
25. For all of the above reasons, I conclude that AoS D is unsound as it is contrary
to national policy. Changes are needed to remove AoS D from the Plan in
order for it to comply with national policy (MM1, MM3, MM4, MM8 and
MM15). The deletion of AoS D will also need to be reflected on the Policies
Map, in order for this part of the Plan to be sound.
_______________________________________________________
JUNE 2017.
JUNE 2017.
County Council CONSULTATION EXERCISE 2015/2016
County Council CONSULTATION EXERCISE 2015/2016
(Minerals Site Specific Allocations Development Plan Document (DPD) - Single Issue Silica Sand Review).
Following the Government Inspector's hearing regarding AOS (D) - West Bilney Wood (see below) - it is understood that it is expected that the report will recommend that it be deleted from the County Council Development Plan. This recommendation is expected to be extended to the County Council.
Following the Government Inspector's hearing regarding AOS (D) - West Bilney Wood (see below) - it is understood that it is expected that the report will recommend that it be deleted from the County Council Development Plan. This recommendation is expected to be extended to the County Council.
There will be a six week period during which representations on the modifications requested by the Inspector may be made to the Council.
There will be a six week period during which representations on the modifications requested by the Inspector may be made to the Council.
It is reasonable to assume that The Council will modify the plan and will indeed remove Bilney from future consideration - though it could choose to ignore the Inspector's recommendation..
It is reasonable to assume that The Council will modify the plan and will indeed remove Bilney from future consideration - though it could choose to ignore the Inspector's recommendation..
The Council will return the revised plan to the Inspector for his final report. This is not expected to be completed before September 2017 but will include whether or not the Bilney Wood AOS should be deleted from the plan before its adoption.
The Inspector’s letter is available to view on the Silica Sand Review examination webpage at: https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/what-we-do-and-how-we-work/policy-performance-and-partnerships/policies-and-strategies/minerals-and-waste-planning-policies/silica-sand-review/examination
All of the information provided to the Planning Inspector during and following the examination hearings is available to view in the examination library on our website at: https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/what-we-do-and-how-we-work/policy-performance-and-partnerships/policies-and-strategies/minerals-and-waste-planning-policies/silica-sand-review/examination-library
March 2017
March 2017
EXAMINATION – FINAL HEARING REGARDING
SILICA SAND EXTRACTION at WEST BILNEY WOOD
was heard on before a government inspector 14/15th March at the George Hotel Swaffham.
The agenda of the meetings was as below
Agenda.
MATTER 1 – Legal requirements and the Duty to Co-operate
MATTER 2 – Whether appropriate provision is made for the steady and adequate supply of silica sand.
MATTER 3 – Whether the allocated site and areas of search are acceptable in environmental terms and in all other regards.
MATTER 4 – Monitoring
The decision of the inspector is not yet known.
(See the December 2016 update below for more information about this procedure)
__________________________
FEBRUARY 2018.
FEBRUARY 2018.
Following the County Council acceptance of the Inspector's recommendation that West Bilney Wood should be deleted from the Single Issue Silica Sand Review, and that the threat to the wood has therefore been removed for the immediate future, this page will no longer be updated.
However, it is not intended to delete it, but to leave it available for reference.
Webmaster. 18 February 2018.
December 2017 update.
December 2017 update.
West Bilney Wood
Email message (Dated. 13 December 2017) received from Norfolk County Council.
I can confirm that the County Council adopted the Single Issue Silica Sand Review on 11 December 2017 and AoS D at West Bilney has not been allocated, as required by the Planning Inspector’s report. I will be updating the County Council website today with the information on the adoption and will be formally contacting all interested parties with this information as soon as possible this week.
Regards
Caroline Jeffery
Sand extraction
Sand extraction
MARCH 2018.
EXTENSION TO GRANDCOURT QUARRY - EAST WINCH.
SIBELCO, AFTER MANY DELAYS, ARE SHORTLY TO SUBMIT A PLANNING APPLICATION FOR THE EXTENSION TO THE GRANDCOURT QUARRY.
The Planning Inspector's final report is available for public inspection, free of charge, within normal opening hours, at all public libraries in Norfolk, and at:
Norfolk County Council, County Hall, Martineau Lane, Norwich, NR1 2DH
Breckland District Council, Elizabeth House, Walpole Loke, East Dereham, NR19 1EE
Broadland District Council, Thorpe Lodge, Yarmouth Road, Norwich, NR7 0DU
Great Yarmouth Borough Council, Town Hall, Great Yarmouth, NR30 2QF
Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk, King’s Court, Chapel Street, King’s Lynn, PE30 1EX
Various documents may be downloaded as required - see the links below:-
Annex to the Adoption Statement
Single Issue Silica Sand Review
amendments to the Policies Map
amendments to the Sustainability Appraisal
Webmasters note:- This means that the AOS (Area of Search) (D), West Bilney Wood, is no longer to be considered as part of the County Council plans for mineral extraction.
See further information about the County Council adoption of the 'Silica Sand Review' here
February 2017. It is reported that
Sibelco is soon to submit a
Planning Application for the extension of
Grandcourt Quarry at East Winch
More information will be shown here as it becomes available.
More information will be shown here as it becomes available.
THE ONGOING PROPOSALS FOR THE INVESTIGATION OF SAND DEPOSITS AT WEST BILNEY WOODS (AOS "D")
County Council CONSULTATION EXERCISE 2015/2016
County Council CONSULTATION EXERCISE 2015/2016
(Minerals Site Specific Allocations Development Plan Document (DPD) - Single Issue Silica Sand Review).
Sibelco, Kings Lynn Quarry Community Liaison Committee.
Meeting held Thursday 15th December 2016 - see notes taken at this meeting
DECEMBER 2016 UPDATE
Single Issue Silica Sand Review of the Minerals Site Specific Allocations DPD
Notification of Submission and availability of documents for inspection.
In line with the requirements of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012, I am writing to inform you that Norfolk County Council formally submitted the Single Issue Silica Sand Review of the Minerals Site Specific Allocations DPD to the Planning Inspectorate (on behalf of the Secretary of State), on 8 December 2016, for independent examination.
The Single Issue Silica Sand Review is needed to address the predicted shortfall, of 2.6 million tonnes, in the quantity of silica sand extraction sites allocated in the Minerals Site Specific Allocations DPD. It is predicted that an average of 750,000 tonnes of silica sand will be extracted from Norfolk every year up to the end of 2026. The silica sand resource in Norfolk occurs entirely within the administrative boundary of the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk.
The Silica Sand Review allocates one specific site and five areas of search for future silica sand extraction to meet the apportionment figures in the adopted Minerals and Waste Core Strategy. Developers wanting to extract mineral from specific sites or land within an area of search allocated in the Silica Sand Review will still need to apply for and be granted planning permission before mineral extraction can take place.
The submitted Silica Sand Review consists of the Pre-Submission version together with the Addendum of Modifications. The representations submitted consist of all the representations received during the Pre-Submission representations period (held during May and June 2016) and those received during the Modifications representations period (held during September and October 2016).
Information on the examination process, the appointed Planning Inspector and the Programme Officer can be found online at www.norfolk.gov.uk/nmwdf, and then click on the Silica Sand Review page.
A requirement of the Regulations is that a number of documents should be made available for viewing by the public following submission.
A copy of the main submission documents will be available for public inspection, during normal opening hours, at all public libraries in Norfolk, and the main Local Planning Authority offices in Norfolk from 4 January 2017. These documents are:
All documents published at the Pre-Submission publication stage and ‘Pre-Submission Addendum: Modifications’ stage
Minor modifications to the Single Issue Silica Sand Review
Statement of Consultation (Part 2) detailing the representations received in response to the ‘Pre-Submission’ publication and the ‘Pre-Submission Addendum: Modifications’
Revised Policies Map (Sept 2016) (illustrates the policies contained within the Norfolk Minerals and Waste Local Plan)
The Local Planning Authority offices where the documents can be inspected are:
Norfolk County Council, County Hall, Martineau Lane, Norwich, NR1 2DH
Breckland Council, Elizabeth House, Walpole Loke, East Dereham, NR19 1EE
Broadland District Council, Thorpe Lodge, 1 Yarmouth Road, Norwich, NR7 0DU
Great Yarmouth Borough Council, Town Hall, Great Yarmouth, NR30 2QF
Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk, King’s Court, Chapel Street, King’s Lynn, PE30 1EX
North Norfolk District Council, Holt Road, Cromer, NR27 9EN
Norwich City Council, City Hall, Bethel Street, Norwich, NR2 1NH
South Norfolk Council, South Norfolk House, Swan Lane, Long Stratton, NR15 2XE
The Broads Authority, Yare House, 62-64 Thorpe Road, Norwich, NR1 1RY
The submission documents and the full examination library are available for inspection at
· Norfolk County Council’s website: www.norfolk.gov.uk/nmwdf, click on the ‘Silica Sand Review’ page
· Norfolk County Council, County Hall, Martineau Lane, Norwich, NR1 2DH, from 9am to 5pm Mondays to Fridays.
The representations received at all stages of the production of the Single Issue Silica Sand Review are available to view on Norfolk County Council’s website at: http://norfolk.jdi-consult.net/localplan/
_______________________
Update 22 October 2016
PARISH COUNCIL RESPONSE TO THE CONSULTATION EXERCISE. OCTOBER 2016.
In response to the 'Consultation' being conducted by the County Council, the Parish Council has written to the County Council detailing the concerns of Parishioners that were expressed at the Parish Council meeting on 10th. October.
The wide ranging letter covers aspects such as the movement of the sand along the local roads after extraction, the dangers involved with many heavy vehicles entering and leaving the A47, the effects on the wildlife of the area, damage to the local infrastructure, health concerns and the effect on property values.
(See the full text of the letter)
Henry Bellingham MP, in a message to the Parish Council, has stated that he is totally opposed to the loss of habitat and woodland and the extra traffic that would be generated on both the A47 and Common Road should there be quarrying at West Bilney
(See also details of a meeting, held in January 2016, of CASE with Henry Bellingham MP, at Bilney Woods. CASE outlined its concerns about the proposals).
SEPTEMBER 2016 UPDATE
Modifications have been proposed to the Minerals Site Specific Allocations Development Plan Document (DPD) - Single Issue Silica Sand Review.
These Modifications have been published for representations to be made, on the modifications only, from 14 September to 27 October 2016, prior to submission of the document to the Secretary of State.
Now CLOSED to further representations.
Mid September 2016.
Update/corrections to the documents issued in early September:
The County Council, as part of its work on the Single Issue Silica Sand Review of the adopted Minerals Site Specific Allocations DPD, has updated the 'Pre-Submission Addendum: Modifications' document that will be subject to a formal representations period starting on 14th September.
The updated text contained within the 'Pre-Submission Addendum: Modifications' can be summarised as follows:-
Additional text has been added to the Modifications document on page 27.
Changes made to the Sustainability Appraisal Report regarding the reasons
for the non-allocation of Area of Search A, had not been included in the
version of the Modifications document previously issued.
Note that the dates between which representation may be made to the County Council with reference to the proposals are unchanged - 14 September to 27 October. NOW CLOSED
Read the Pre-Submission Addendum: Modifications here
or see the County Council website www.norfolk.gov.uk/nmwdf
(select the Silica Sand Review page)
Relevant to East Winch/West Bilney woods the Area of Search (AOS) D has been amended - see the revised map below.
Links
County Council website - Silica Sand Review page -
Pre-Submission Addendum:Modifications may be seen here
A map showing the area of the silica sand resource is available here
Information on the examination process, the appointed Planning Inspector and the Programme Officer can be found online at www.norfolk.gov.uk/nmwdf, and then click on the Silica Sand Review page.
The southern boundary of the area has been moved northwards into the wooded area. Clicking on the map will show an enlarged copy.
(It is believed that this was done at the behest of English Heritage in order to move the boundary further away from Pentney Abbey - a listed building).
An interactive map of the revised area may be seen on the County Council website - here (Choose AOS(D))
You are invited to make representations to the Council on this matter. Note that representations made be made only with regard to the new modifications: See below for details about how to do this.
(Webmasters note: It is understood that though the statement that representations may only be made about the revised documents, the County Council is prepared to accept further representations about the whole of the Development Plan - NOTE THE DEADLINE HOWEVER - 27 OCTOBER!).
Representations which are duly made will be submitted alongside the published Silica Sand Review document and the Modifications. The Silica Sand Review and Modifications will then be examined by a Planning Inspector.
Earlier information about this Consultation Exercise may be seen below and should be read in conjunction with this new information.
Following the end of the representations period, the 'Minerals Site Specific Allocations DPD - Single Issue Silica Sand Review', and the 'Pre-Submission Addendum: Modifications', along with relevant background documents and the representations received will be submitted to the Secretary of State later in 2016, for public examination by a Planning Inspector.
Links to the County Council website are:-
Silica Sand Review The Modifications document
A map showing the area of the silica sand resource is available here
How to respond:-
Where possible the County Council would prefer representations to be made directly to www.norfolk.gov.uk/nmwdf
However responses by post, fax and email will also be accepted.
Closing date is 27 October 2016 - 5pm.
(It is understood, subsequent to the event, that a meeting was held at West Bilney on Wednesday 19 October to discuss this matter as it might affect West Bilney wood. The meeting was attended by local parishioners and County, Borough and Parish Councillors. Discussions centered around the course of action to be followed. See Facebook page).
Note that Area of Search A - Snettisham - has been removed from the original documents; the amended document, as far as it concerns AOD A, reads as follows -
AOS A – Due to its proximity to the Norfolk Coast AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) and the potential for views of AOS from within the AONB, it is considered that there is the potential for silica sand extraction within AOS A to affect the setting of the AONB and the landscape character of the area. Therefore AOS A is not allocated.
__________________
INFORMATION FROM THE COUNTY COUNCIL CONCERNING THE SITUATION WITH REGARD MINERAL EXTRACTION HAS BEEN RECEIVED.
The associated documents are updated versions of those that were published for discussion in April/May and November/December 2015' see 'Consultation Exercise 2015' below.
Representations concerning the latest proposals may be made from 16 May to 27 June 2016.
Two associated documents concerning this have been received.
Norfolk Minerals and Waste Local Plan - a pdf file
Local Plan Pre-submission document - a Word file which includes procedures to followed for making a representation.
Both may be viewed/downloaded - see the foot of this page.
Norfolk Minerals Site Specific Allocations Development Plan Document (DPD): Single Issue Silica Sand Review - Pre-Submission Document:
Invitation to make representations
I am writing to inform you that the County Council has published the Pre-Submission version of the Minerals Site Specific Allocations DPD - Single Issue Silica Sand Review. This document has been published to allow representations on the soundness and legal compliance of the document to be made, over a six week period, between 9am on 16 May and 5pm on 27 June 2016 (inclusive).
The silica sand resource in Norfolk occurs entirely within the administrative boundary of the Borough Council of King's Lynn and West Norfolk.
The Single Issue Silica Sand Review is needed to address the predicted shortfall,of 2.6 million tonnes, in the quantity of silica sand extraction sites allocated in the Minerals Site Specific Allocations DPD. It is predicted that around 750,000 tonnes of silica sand will be extracted from Norfolk every year.
The Silica Sand Review has been through the following stages: an Initial Consultation during March and April 2015, a 'call for sites' in June 2015, and a Preferred Options Consultation during November and December 2015.
The Pre-Submission version of the Silica Sand Review allocates one specific site for silica sand extraction and six Areas of Search (AoS) which have been defined by planning officers. Areas of search are large areas within which permission for silica sand extraction may be granted on a smaller area of land. Developers wanting to extract mineral from specific sites or land within an area of search allocated in the Silica Sand Review will still need to apply for and be granted planning permission before mineral extraction can take place.
The areas of search and site allocated in the Silica Sand Review Pre-Submission document are located in the following parishes: Bawsey, Dersingham, East Winch, Ingoldisthorpe, Marham, Pentney, Runcton Holme, Shouldham, Shouldham Thorpe, Snettisham, Stow Bardolph, Tottenhill, Wormegay. The Silica Sand Review Pre-Submission document is attached to this email.
In addition to the Pre-Submission document, the following documents which provide information to support the policies in the Silica Sand Review have also been published:
· Revised Policies Map (illustrates the policies contained in the Norfolk Minerals and Waste Local Plan)
· Sustainability Appraisal Report (Parts A and B) (shows social, environmental and economic impacts of the Silica Sand Review)
· Sustainability Appraisal non-technical summary (summary of above)
· Habitats Regulations Assessment (of impacts on European-designated nature conservation sites)
· Pre-Submission Statement of Consultation (details consultees and their responses)
· Equality Impact Assessment (how different people will be affected by the Silica Sand Review process and policies)
· Flood Risk Sequential Test (demonstrates compliance with the requirements of paragraphs 100-101 of the National Planning Policy Framework)
These documents are available for public inspection, free of charge, within normal opening hours up to and including 27 June 2016, at all public libraries in Norfolk, and at:
· Norfolk County Council, County Hall, Martineau Lane, Norwich, NR1 2DH
· Breckland District Council, Elizabeth House, Walpole Loke, East Dereham, NR19 1EE
· Broadland District Council, Thorpe Lodge, Yarmouth Road, Norwich, NR7 0DU
· Great Yarmouth Borough Council, Town Hall, Great Yarmouth,NR30 2QF
· Borough Council of King's Lynn and West Norfolk, King's Court, Chapel Street, King's Lynn, PE30 1EX
· North Norfolk District Council, Holt Road, Cromer, NR27 9EL
· Norwich City Council, City Hall, Bethel Street, Norwich, NR2 1NH
· South Norfolk Council, South Norfolk House, Swan Lane, Long Stratton, NR15 2XE
· The Broads Authority, Yare House, 62-64 Thorpe Road, Norwich, NR1 1RY
All documents are also available on Norfolk County Council's website at www.norfolk.gov.uk/nmwdf on the Silica Sand Review webpage, from 16 May 2016 when the representations period starts.
Where possible the County Council would prefer representations to be made directly to https://norfolk.jdi-consult.net/localplan/. However, responses by post, fax and email will also be accepted:
Post to: Planning Services, CES Department, Norfolk County Council, County Hall, Martineau Lane, Norwich, NR1 2DH
Fax: 01603 223219 - marked for the attention of Planning Services
Email: LDF@norfolk.gov.uk
A downloadable and printable representation form is attached and includes the Statement of Representations procedure.
All representations, using whatever method, must be made by 5pm on27 June 2016.
Representations may be accompanied by a request to be notified, at a specified address, of any of the following:
· that the Silica Sand Review has been submitted to the Secretary of State for independent examination by a Planning Inspector
· the publication of recommendations of the Planning Inspector appointed to carry out the independent examination of the Silica Sand Review
· the adoption of the Silica Sand Review
Following the end of the representations period, the Pre-Submission version of the Silica Sand Review, relevant background documents and the representations received will be submitted to the Secretary of State later in 2016, for public examination by a Planning Inspector.
Yours faithfully
Caroline Jeffery
Principal Planner (Minerals and Waste Policy)
Planning Services
Environment and Planning
Community and Environmental Services Department
Direct dial telephone number: 01603 222193
E-mail: caroline.jeffery@norfolk.gov.uk
Norfolk County Council
General enquiries: 0344 800 8020 or information@norfolk.gov.uk
www.norfolk.gov.uk
OCTOBER 2015
County Council CONSULTATION EXERCISE 2015
THE COUNTY COUNCIL HAS RECENTLY ISSUED INFORMATION CONCERNING A CONSULTATION EXERCISE FOR THE REVIEW OF THE MINERALS 'SITE SPECIFIC ALLOCATION PLAN'.
(The following are extracts from the recently issued information).
The Preferred Options Consultation on the Single Issue Silica Sand Review of the Norfolk Minerals Site Specific Allocations Plan will take place over a six week period from 6 November to 21 December 2015 (inclusive), and I would welcome your comments.
The Minerals Site Specific Allocations Plan (adopted by full Council on 28/10/2013) contains a requirement for a Silica Sand Review of the Plan to be completed by 2016. The review is needed to address the predicted shortfall, of 2.5 million tonnes, in the quantity of silica sand extraction sites allocated in the Plan.
It is predicted that around 750,000 tonnes of silica sand will be extracted from Norfolk per annum. It is expected that no more than one or two additional specific sites will need to be allocated over the plan period (to 2026) to meet the shortfall.
The silica sand resource in Norfolk occurs entirely within the administrative boundary of the Borough Council of King's Lynn and West Norfolk.
Plannning Officers have defined ten 'areas of search (AOS)' - a wide area within which permission for silica sand extraction may be granted for a smaller part of that area.
Included is: AOS D East Winch, Pentney
Copies of the Preferred Options Consultation Document, the Initial Sustainability Appraisal Report (Parts A and B) and the Habitats Regulations Assessment (Task 1), will be available for public inspection, free of charge, within normal opening hours from 6 November up to and including 21 December 2015, at all public libraries in Norfolk, and at:
Borough Council of King's Lynn and West Norfolk, King's Court, Chapel Street, King's Lynn, PE30 1EX
After the current consultation period finishes, the next stage in the preparation of the Silica Sand Single Issue Review will be the publication of the Pre-Submission document, which is planned to take place in spring 2016.
All documents are also available on Norfolk County Council's website at www.norfolk.gov.uk/nmwdf
Where possible the County Council would prefer representations to be made directly to www.norfolk.gov.uk/nmwdf
However responses by post, fax and email will also be accepted
All comments, in whatever form, should be made by 5pm on 21 December 2015.
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