NO MORE SANDPITS !!!

  CAMEL website link - CLICK HERE

'CAMPAIGN AGAINST MINERALS EXTRACTION & LANDFILL'

Update 4 March 2006

CAMEL has raised sufficient funds and support to engage professional skills to fully understand the implications of the Potential Mineral Zones (PMZ) 55 in Betchworth, and PMZ 60 in Buckland.   Our representations and letters of support have been the most active in Surrey - well done to supporters.   Our interpretation on the most recent developments is as follows:

PMZ 55 Betchworth

We extract pages D75-78 from the Draft Surrey Minerals Plan which details the revised smaller area of PMZ55. 

This is accompanied by the text describing the plot, and its justification for being a 'Preferred Area' (referred to as Preferred Area O)

PMZ 60 Shagbrook Buckland

For PMZ 60, Surrey CC has decided NOT TO INCLUDE this area in the Surrey Minerals Plan.   The campaigning of CAMEL and the Betchworth & Buckland Society has amassed a lot of scientific evidence which we believe carried significant weight in the decision.     The focus of the evidence was that the water-table has already dropped substantially due to water extraction pumping, which has affected the ecology of the adjacent Reigate Heath, which has protected status as a SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest).   English Nature (soon to become Natural England) has a statutory responsibility to maintain and improve the quality of SSSI sites, and is especially concerned that expanding the pit into PMZ60 would further damage the ecology of Reigate Heath irreconcilably.   

BREAKING NEWS 

We are expecting Surrey County Council to come out to consultation again in March April 2006 - you will be asked to write your letters of objection again to support the cause!    More news on this site and the CAMEL website soon.

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Historical Background

During October 2004, two action groups were founded against the local mineral workings -

During November 2004, with the full support of the Betchworth & Buckland Society, these two groups have merged into a single action group, called CAMEL:

'CAMPAIGN AGAINST MINERALS EXTRACTION & LANDFILL'

The Betchworth & Buckland Society has agreed to act as treasurer to CAMEL, and manage funds in separate accounts.  We also respect that funding donations can be directed, at the wish of the donor, to either support the case against PMZ 55 Betchworth, or PMZ60 Buckland - or the case against both.  If you specify your interest when you give a donation, your wishes will be respected.    The Society will produce separate auditable accounts for CAMEL, as a sub-account of the B&B Society.

In early-October 2004, our Society was alerted to Surrey County Council's updated Mineral Extraction Plan that had evaluated 107 new 'parcels of land' as Potential Mineral Zones (PMZs) in Surrey, assessed for their potential for mineral extraction.   Of these, several areas were within Betchworth & Buckland.  Two of these areas were 'recommended for inclusion in the Minerals Development Framework (MDF)' at this stage - though Surrey CC officials do not confirm that they will definitely be included.

PMZ 55 - Land South of Old Reigate Rd, Betchworth

PMZ 60 - Shag Brook, Buckland

If these areas are confirmed within the Surrey Minerals Plan following consultation, this means that during the period 2004-2016 (and likely beyond, by extension) - that if a mineral extraction company such as Hanson, Franks or one of their competitors, applied to open a new pit, that Surrey CC would grant permission.  

For information on the Surrey County Council's 'SURREY MINERALS DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK 2004-1016'  that directly affect our villages, see the following link:

Link to Minerals Website of Surrey CC affecting Minerals in Buckland & Betchworth  then click on PMZ60 (Buckland) or PMZ55 (Betchworth)

The first round of public consultation with Surrey CC was from 1 November 2004, to 28 February 2005.  This has enabled Surrey CC to evaluate the repsonses and scientific evendience and determin which PMZ sites will go forward to the next stage of being formally included in the Strategic County Minerals Plan.

The next round of consultation will be during the perido March-April 2006, follwoing which the decision will be made whether or not to include or exclude the mineral zones fromt he Strategic County Minerals Plan.

What is the role of the Betchworth & Buckland Society?

We will work to support the Betchworth and Buckland Parish Councils, and act as Treasurers to CAMEL to promote common messages, make available our website to communicate information, and inform all villages by newsletters and meeting co-ordination.  

Join us and help us make a future with 'No more Sandpits!'

Please submit information to B&B Society webmaster

N A LIGHTER NOTE ....

This sand lark can get us down a bit, and I thought you should know how you can best fit-in and support CAMEL - by becoming one:

To protect their eyes, camels have long eyelashes that catch most of the sand. If sand gets into an eye, a camel has a third eyelids to get it out. Like a windshield wiper on a car, this extra eyelid moves from side to side and wipes the sand away. The eyelid is very thin, so a camel can see through it. In sandstorms, camels often close their third eyelid and keep walking. You might say that a camel can find its way through a sandstorm with its eyes closed.

To keep sand from blowing into their noses, camels can shut their nostrils. When there is no sand blowing in the wind, a camel can open its nostrils and breathe through its nose. When the wind starts to whip up the sand, the camel just closes its nose.

A camel's head has built-in sun-visors to help keep the bright sunlight out of its eyes. There are broad ridges of bone above each eye. These stick out far enough to shield the eyes when the sun is overhead.

The ears of camels are small to make it harder for sand to get in them.

The huge feet of camels help them to walk on sand without sinking into it. A camel's foot can be as big as a large plate.

Camels have ways to keep from sweating too much. During the hottest part of the year, a camel can go for a week or more without taking a drink. And during the cooler months, they sometimes go for six months without drinking.   (Will the CAMEL Committee maintain this characteristic I wonder?)

The future for wild camels is much brighter. It used to be that the vicunas and the guanacos were hunted for their hides and wool, and they were almost wiped out. But now they are protected, and their numbers are increasing....go on, become a CAMEL in Betchworth & Buckland.

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