|
 Site Home Page
|
| Background |
February 2009 - SCC advertised Europa's original application (public response by 18th March 2009)
April 2009 - Leith Hill Action Group sent its Original Technical Response to SCC
April 2009 - SCC requested additional information from Europa - details of request not made public
November 2009 - Europa responded to SCC's request
December 2009 - SCC advertised revisions to Europa's application (public response by 25th January 2010)
February 2010 - MVDC Planning Committee voted 12-0 against the revised application
March 2010 - It looks unlikely that SCC will meet to determine the application before MAY 2010
The revised application has the reference 2008/0169/PS/MO09/0110.
Whilst the applicant (with its much greater resources) was allowed nearly seven months to revise its application, the public
was given just six weeks to respond to this - over Christmas and New Year! Nevertheless, Leith
Hill Action Group consulted with experts and produced
this 40 page Technical Response to Revised Application and this
Press Release.
It's not too late to object!
|
| Objections |
SCC has received around 1,500 letters of objection to the original planning application. Around 500 of these were sent
through this website, using the "Object in 60 Seconds" feature. SCC has indicated that these 500 letters of
objection may be discounted because they were not "personal". Please object again if you used this.
YOU CAN OBJECT AS MANY TIMES AS YOU WANT TO
IF YOU HAVE ALREADY OBJECTED, PLEASE OBJECT TO THE REVISED APPLICATION
IF YOU HAVE NOT YET OBJECTED, PLEASE OBJECT TO THE REVISED APPLICATION
EACH MEMBER OF A HOUSEHOLD CAN OBJECT SEPARATELY
We appreciate that it would take time to craft a detailed letter covering every issue. This is not neccessary. If you
are short of time, please send a short letter "I object to this application because..." and say something about the issues that
you are most concerned about:
Industrialisation of Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty?
Cheapest exploration site rather than the least damaging?
Damage to Coldharbour Lane?
Traffic in Dorking?
Impact on wildlife?
Loss of amenity to residents and visitors?
Light, noise and water pollution?
See foot of page for more objection ideas or open the...
Technical Response to Revised Application
|
| How to Object |
The easiest way to object is by e-mail. This carries as much weight as a printed letter
provided it includes your full name and address
Copy and paste this into your e-mail editor
To: mwcd@surreycc.gov.uk
Cc: planning@molevalley.gov.uk
YOUR NAME
YOUR ADDRESS
YOUR ADDRESS
YOUR ADDRESS
YOUR POSTCODE
Planning Manager
Environment & Regulation
Surrey County Council
County Hall
Kingston-upon-Thames
Surrey
KT1 2DY
DATE
Dear Sir or Madam
Re: SCC Ref 2008/0169/PS/MO09/0110
[YOUR WORDS GO HERE - SEE BELOW FOR GROUNDS FOR OBJECTION]
Yours sincerely,
YOUR FULL NAME
|
| Leith Hill Action Group's Grounds for Objection |
Having carefully considered all the revisions, we have not been able to identify any amendments that might have alleviated our concerns over the significant detrimental impact that this application will have on the area. We stand firm to our original objection that the application remains flawed.
The Bury Hill Wood site lies at the heart of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty of national significance and its fragile environment and inadequate infrastructure makes it a completely inappropriate site for an exploratory drilling operation.
The proposal is a classic case of short term-ism. Short term financial saving at the expense of permanent damage to an environment that has taken over 1,000 years to evolve.
Site Selection
Europa has not undertaken a sufficiently robust review of the alternative sites to Bury Hill Wood in anywhere near enough detail required for an application of such a sensitive nature.
Stated site selection criteria have not been applied consistently across all sites originally considered.
We believe cost has been a hidden criterion.
Traffic and Transport
The revised traffic management system is flawed and would give rise to unacceptable waiting times caused by traffic lights, 3 banksmen with stop/go boards for 18 weeks; also 6 days closure of Coldharbour Lane from 0900 - 1800 hours.
The revised traffic management scheme does not mitigate in anyway significant road safety hazards and will have a profound effect on Coldharbour Lane and Knoll Road residents. Access for Emergency vehicles will be restricted as there are not sufficient lay bys for drilling vehicles to move into to ensure emergency access.
Automatic Traffic Counters are unreliable and therefore provide inaccurate data with regard to current levels of traffic using Coldharbour Lane.
Europa does not differentiate between the wide range of HGV categories and therefore the damage factor calculations are inaccurate and misleading.
Europa’s methodology to calculate necessary tree felling and cutting back on either side of Coldharbour Lane is based on data taken from static vehicles on level ground. Calculations done on moving vehicles manoeuvring winding and steep roads with moving branches on either side and overhead would demonstrate that a greater number of trees will need to be either drastically cut back or felled. It will take generations before any replacement trees reach the same maturity that forms an inherant part of the beauty of the area.
A walkover survey is totally inadequate to evaluate the current condition of Coldharbour Lane. Intrusive surveys are professionally recognised as the best means of evaluating current highway state and therefore the effect of any increase in traffic use.
Ecology and Biodiversity
No consideration has been given to impact on wildlife surrounding the site. Such wildlife include bats roosting adjacent to the site, and public evidence of greater crested newts surrounding the site. Badger surveys have not covered an adequate area and the dormouse survey is inadequate. There is no consideration of the impact of large vehicles on wildlife adjacent to Coldharbour Lane – noise, pollution and vibration and damage to the embankments.
Effects on Visual Amenity
All visual impact is focused on the drilling tower and the fact it is a temporary installation.
The visual impact on Coldharbour Lane with felled trees and damaged embankments is permanent and has not been considered.
We do not believe that enough views have been taken into account given that visitors to the area enjoy moving panoramas as they walk/cycle around the area.
The area is prime unspoilt location that provides huge enjoyment through its elevated views. This visual amenity will be severely impacted if the planning application is successful.
Lighting
Fluorescent strips, flashing red strobes, compound and access lighting operating throughout the night will compromrise the rare levels of darkness within this protected environmental area.
Proposed lighting levels will create visual intrusion for the residents of Coldharbour village.
Noise and Vibration
We believe that claimed allowable levels of daytime noise from the proposed activities is substantially higher than is actually permitted. We would urge Surrey County Council to seek independent expert opinion on Europa’s noise and vibration statements.
Hydrology and Hydrogeology
Europa has not addressed the issue of water testing for potential contamination from the proposed activity. Local aquifers might not be used for drinking water abstraction but that does not mean that there is no requirement to ensure that the groundwater remains uncontaminated. Only periodic independent testing will show that nearby water courses will remain free from contaminants that could affect wildlife.
Impact of Industrialisation
Approval will set an unfortunate precedent and could have long term consequences for Surrey Hills if this precedent is set, resulting in permanent environmental damage and pollution.
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
|
|