Issue

Betchworth Sand Extraction

Owner

JJ Franks Ltd

Brief

·       Franks have quarried sand on site adjacent to A25 since 1950s.  They also run a skip hire business on-site and are in the process of completing a 1000m2 Materials Recycling Plant (MRP) built within the sandpit (with green roof).  

·       Dec 2004 - Surrey CC Mineral Plan recommended exploitation of PMZ 55  to south of current workings (Common Field, south of Post Office)

·       March 2006 –despite strong campaign of opposition, PMZ 55 remained in scope of Surrey County Mineral Plan

·       In May 2007, Franks submitted Planning Application to expand to extract new area

·       May 2007 - Campaign stepped up to object to planning permission application. 

·       Nov/Dec 2007 -MVDC to decide on planning permission

Concerns

·       Visual damage to the landscape

·       Increased HGV traffic

·       Loss of Skylark habitat in Common Field

·       Lowering of water table

·       Pollution from toxics in subsequent landfill (following sand extraction)

Actions

·       Formal representations to Surrey CC, MVDC Minerals & Planning Dept

Level of Concern

High.  The campaign is still on to prevent the expansion of the area under which sand is extracted and block both the Planning Application and the inclusion of the expanded area in the Surrey Minerals Plan

Further details :

www.camel.org.uk (Campaign Against Mineral Extraction & Landfill, CAMEL)

Issue

Buckland Sand Extraction

Owner

Hanson plc

Brief

·       Buckland’s sand has been quarried since 1923 (initially by ‘the Buckland Sand & Silica Co Ltd.

·       Dec 2004 - Surrey CC Mineral Plan recommended exploitation of PMZ 60  to south of current workings (Shagbrook)

·       Strong campaign including representations to Natural England to protect the SSSI site of Reigate Heath against falling water-table

·       March 2006 –strong campaign of opposition was successful in the removal of PMZ 60 from the scope of Surrey County Mineral Plan

Concerns

·       Irreversible damage to the ecology of Reigate Heath SSSI site  due to the falling water table that would be a consequence of expanding the mineral extraction to PMZ60

·       Visual damage to the landscape

·       Increased HGV traffic

·       Pollution from toxics in subsequent landfill (following sand extraction)

Actions

·       Formal representations to Surrey CC, MVDC Minerals & Planning Dept

Level of Concern

Low (Nov 07).   However, Surrey CC is under considerable regional & National pressure to have more sand extraction sites.   There is potential for this threat to return in future.

Further details :

www.camel.org.uk www.camel.org.uk (Campaign Against Mineral Extraction & Landfill, CAMEL)

Issue

Betchworth Landfill

Address

Pebble Hill, Betchworth

Owner

Nionisle Ltd

Brief

·       The old chalk quarry has been be landfill site since the early-1980s

·       At the time, B&B Society set up the BQAG (Betchworth Quarry Action Group) which was successful in imposing certain planning contraints – though the landfill site was permitted

In 2005/06, Nionisle applied for planning permission to:

·       extend Landfill operations further into the future

·       erect new buildings for storage and offices

·       park HGV vehicles as a ‘lorry park’

·       install a plant to convert methane (gas leakage from the landfill) to generate electricity for the National Grid

Concerns

·       Long-term continuity of landfill

·       Increasing noise & traffic from HGVs

·       Light pollution from commercial floodlights on the Downs scarp

·       Noise, particularly vehicle and plant operations

Actions

·       Formal representations to MVDC Planning Dept

Level of Concern

Low (Nov 07).   No active concern.

Further details :

Not published

Issue

Barleymow Industrial Site

Address

Old Reigate Rd , Betchworth

Owner

Occupying businesses include Centurion Scaffolding, Fairlight, Collingwood and BarleyMow Garage

Brief

·       An small industrial park with multiple occupancy and a range of old and temporary buildings

·       a large number of HGV traffic movements, with night time movement now limited by VOSA licensing

·       The site is adjacent to several houses in Barlow Mow Cottages and close to the Arkle Manor pub/restaurant

·       The site has some development potential.  A planning application was submitted in 2005 to convert the site to a large car park to serve Gatwick Airport (and potentially store cars ‘off site’ for local car showrooms).   There is soil pollution on site (ex-landfill) limiting the potential uses to which the land is put.

Concerns

·       noise & traffic from HGVs, especially night operation movements disrupting neighbours in nearby houses

·       Any planning application for development that might arise; will it be an improvement on the current site use?

Actions

·       Formal representations to MVDC Planning Dept

Level of Concern

Low (Nov 07).   No active concern.

Further details :

Not published

Issue

Capel Incinerator (planned)

Address

Clockhouse Brickworks site, Horsham Rd , Capel

Owner

Surrey Waste Management

Brief

·       Government policy is to reduce landfill, whilst increasing both recycling and incineration.  Few want incinerators ‘in their back garden’

·       Capel and Redhill are the three targeted sites in Surrey .  Capel is east of Betchworth and Buckland and any pollutants carried from the tall smoke stack (70 metres) are likely to come our way in the prevailing winds.

·       In 2001, a resolution to grant planning permission for an Incinerator was approved by the Council without proper consultation.  Capel Action Group took the Council to the high court and won!

·       Several years of further planning pressure and local campaigns have continued, but the ‘war’ now seems to favour the plant going ahead.

·       Surrey Waste Management submitted the plans in October 2007 to Surrey CC (the planning authority for such facilities).  The planning permission was submitted prior to the outcome of the Planning Inspectors report on whether the facility was indeed required.

Concerns

·       CO2 emissions and climate change

·       Pollutants carried by wind

·       That should the plant burn at lower temperatures than optimal, a greater number of toxic pollutants will be released in fumes

·       Increased HGV traffic carrying waste throughout the region on unclassified roads to reach Capel

Actions

·       Support to local action group

·       Representation to Surrey CC

Level of Concern

High (Nov 07).   .

Further details :

www.capelaction.org.uk  www.capelaction.org.uk  (Capel Action Group, CAG)

Issue

Gatwick Second Runway (planned)

Address

Gatwick Airport , Horley, W Sussex

Owner

BAA plc

Brief

·       2001/02 – 2^nd runway planned north of, and parallel to, existing E-W runway, putting Charlwood under planning blight

·       December 2003 – Government White Paper excluded the 2^nd runway ‘before 2019’ in favour of more immediate expansion at Heathrow & Stansted

·       March 2005 – BAA prub forward plan this time suggesting the 2^nd runway would be built south of the current runway

Concerns

·       Noise pollution from increased air traffic, and the possibility of being more directly under the flightpath

·       At present the plans are for east-west runways.  However with new flight plans, we could find Betchworth & Buckland directly under flight paths.

·       Impact of Gatwick’s growth on climate change (see GACC report)

Actions

·       Support to GACC

·       Representation to Surrey CC

Level of Concern

Low (Nov 07).   GACC continues to campaign against increasing short-term changes to aircraft movements, but the second runway pressure is not high at present.

Further details :

www.gacc.org.uk www.gacc.org.uk (Gatwick Area Conservation Campaign, GACC)

Issue

Traffic Management in Buckland & Betchworth

Address

All through routes in Buckland & Betchworth

Owner

MVDC, Buckland Parish Council

Brief

·       The A25 ‘Buckland Bends’ is popular with speeding motor-bikers at weekend

·       The A25 carries the majority of diversion traffic from the M25 should the motorway be closed or congested

·       Cars use back roads as commuter ‘rat runs’ at inappropriately fast speeds

·       Improved lighting on rural roads is not encouraged, as this would spoil the rural nature of the parishes.   The overall accident rate is low.

Concerns

·       we wish to reduce accidents and incidents which are a concern for residents, as motorists, cyclists and pedestrians

Actions

·       support of improved signage for speed reduction

·       support of Buckland PC in community speed gun campaign on A25

·       support of new traffic island at junction of A25 and Old Road

Level of Concern

Medium (Nov 07).   The A25/Old Road traffic island plan is going through the approval process for building in Winter 2007.

Further details :

Not published

Issue

Planning Applications in Betchworth & Buckland

Address

In the Parishes of Betchworth & Buckland

Brief

·       Buckland and Betchworth are protected from any new housing development in the MVDC plan

·       However, there are instances where additional houses can planned to be built in gardens: and outbuildings, extensions and gateways may infringe on village character

Concerns

·       The Society will not necessarily object to applications on request of interested parties – but we will discuss whether or not the application supports the ‘character’ of the village

·       Typical recent concerns include:

o   a proposal to convert an industrial mill from commercial use to a development of over 30 flats in a high flood risk zone

o   demolition of a 16^th century cottage for redevelopment

o   mobile phone masts and possible health hazards thereof

o  proposals for a mobile home and outbuildings on a green field site

Actions

·       Written objections or support for planning applications

·       Action to get spot listing from English Heritage  for unprotected buildings of interest

Level of Concern

Moderate – there is a low risk of major development, and we are only consider proposals that have an impact on the visual enjoyment or implications on quality of life in our village.

Further details :

Not published