Dorking Advertiser
Thursday 27 Dec 2007

Residents shocked after council approves quarry

ANGRY residents claim they have not been listened to after Surrey County Council gave a quarry in Betchworth the go-ahead to extend.

The Betchworth community was left distraught after the council gave J&J Franks permission to extend its sand quarry in Reigate Road, Betchworth, into Common Field.

About 30 people from the village turned up to hear the unpopular decision at a meeting last Wednesday.

The decision, which will see 770,000 tonnes of sand extracted from the village, must now go before the Secretary of State for final approval.

Betchworth Parish Council clerk Bernard Hawkins said: "We expected a fair hearing and we didn't get it.

"I think they listened and didn't take in one iota of information. The committee discussed it for about an hour and only one person in that whole committee took up any issue we had raised.

"We are very upset - we even had one of our ladies in tears she was so distressed."

One of the speakers on behalf of the village was Surrey county councillor Helyn Clack (Con, Dorking Rural).

She said the decision was too premature because it was made in advance of Surrey County Council completing its Minerals Development Plan - which determines where minerals can be dug up.

Nick Caddick, a spokesman for Campaigners Against Mineral Extraction and Landfill (CAMEL), said members of the protest group were shocked by the decision and that the group would needed time to consider their response to the county council's decision.

Mr Caddick said: "It is quite a shocking revelation and it has been an appalling process."

Mole Valley MP Sir Paul Beresford has promised to support the community.

He said: "The decision was very disappointing. I will use whatever means I can to persuade the Secretary of State it is a mistake."

But one resident has come out in support of the quarry because he says the landfill could prevent future development on the land.

Rodney Smith, from Barleymow Court, said: "If they are going to dig up the Common Field, then in a way it is going to protect the environment after it has recovered because people are not going to build on it"

A spokesman from Surrey County Council said: "We have taken this decision because of the shortage of appropriate sites and our need to increase our sand reserves in line with Government guidelines.

"We do not feel this decision is premature given this will only be an extension to an existing site which is relatively small and does not breach Government guidance on prematurity.

"The next 10-year Minerals Development Plan is only at the consultation stage and is not due to be adopted until 2010, so this decision will not compromise this plan."

Dorking Advertiser
Thursday 27 Dec 2007

WHERE were Mole Valley District Council and our MP when Betchworth needed them? 
Letter by Paul Potter

I refer to the disgraceful display I witnessed at the Surrey County Council (SCC) planning meeting over the desecration of the common field.

Both Mole Valley District Council (MVDC) and our own MP say they are against it, yet neither turned up to put our case. They should be ashamed. I have phoned the council numerous times to speak to Councillor Tim Hall, the Leader of MVDC, about this and other issues, but, as a council taxpayer who contributes to his large annual allowance, I am still waiting to hear back.

I would also like to know what is the point of MVDC, because every decision it makes is overturned by SCC?

So, councillors should do the decent thing and resign if they are not going to serve the community and let someone who actually cares have a go. You have to ask yourselves what does Mole Valley District Council actually do?

I would like to thank all the people who came up to support us and who spoke on the villagers' behalf, and Helen Clack of SCC, the only councillor to stand up for the village.

Campaigners win their fight over quarry
by David Johns

JUBILANT residents are celebrating after plans to extend quarry works near precious heathland were dumped by Surrey County Council.

Experts had warned that, if allowed to expand, Park Pit quarry at Shagbrook, Buckland, would have had catastrophic con-sequences for plants and wildlife at nearby Reigate Heath, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

While Shagbrook has been taken off the county's Potential Mineral Zones (PMZ) shortlist, residents near Common Field at Betchworth were not so fortunate, as it is still earmarked for mineral extraction.

The success at Shagbrook, however, comes after vigorous campaigning by CAMEL (Campaign Against Minerals Extraction and Landfill) whose members commissioned an in-depth survey which showed the water table at Reigate Heath was already several metres below its normal level.

Although residents are delighted, CAMEL reports it is only "cautiously pleased" as there is still huge concern about the effect quarrying is having on the availability of scarce water re-sources in the North Downs area.

CAMEL member Nick Caddick said: "Our campaign is not simply about the impact on specific areas of Surrey, it is about the whole concept of sustainable development - a term freely used to excuse the industrialisation of swathes of Green Belt."
He pointed out that millions of gallons of water are used, then wasted in the minerals extraction process, yet the area is facing its worst drought for 100 years.

He said that while it was a reprieve for Reigate Heath, the fight still goes on.

He added: "CAMEL has shown its ability to drag multiple agencies kicking and screaming to the table to address the issues of environment, water resources, and the protection of the natural habitat, but it has not been an easy task."

Reigate MP Crispin Blunt joined campaigners last Saturday at Reigate Heath to celebrate its reprieve.

Paying tribute to the work of CAMEL, he said: "A formidably capable team was assembled from residents to work for this result. It has been the product of nearly two years' effort and I am particularly grateful for the expert input of Bert Smith (of CAMEL) who helped us present technical and environmental arguments to convince county council officials that Reigate Heath was at risk.

"Without his advice we may have had a longer and more difficult battle."

As well as CAMEL, Mr Blunt said other campaigners such as members of the Reigate Society, county councillor Simon Harding, and borough councillors Susie Garnier and Christopher Whinney had all lobbied the county to get it to strike Shagbrook off its shortlist.

He added: "There have been hundreds, if not thousands, of letters to the county council which helped convince the relevant officials that this was a site the county should protect in the face of central government pressure."

Mr Smith, who is CAMEL deputy chairman, said: "We are very pleased that Surrey County Council has taken into account the evidence that we put before them, together with the support we have had from English Nature, Environment Agency, Sutton and East Surrey Water, and the executive of Reigate and Banstead Borough Council."

For more information you can visit the CAMEL site at www.camel.org.uk

Surrey County Council's draft plan marks an important stage of a lengthy formal consultation process which will see the final adoption of a minerals plan for the county in 2008, mainly for the extraction of sand and gravel in the Thames basin and soft sand from sites across central Surrey.

The formal consultation on preferred options will run from April 28 to June 9, with a series of exhibitions across the county and a special questionnaire online and on paper.

Quarry campaigners dig out a victory

JUBILANT residents are celebrating after plans to extend quarry works near precious heathland were dumped by Surrey County Council.

Experts had warned that, if allowed to expand, Park Pit quarry at Shagbrook, Buckland, would have had catastrophic consequences for plants and wildlife at nearby Reigate Heath, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

While Shagbrook has been taken off the county's Potential Mineral Zones (PMZ) shortlist, residents near Common Field at Betchworth were not so fortunate. It is still earmarked for mineral extraction.

The success at Shagbrook, however, comes after vigorous campaigning by the Campaign Against Minerals Extraction and Landfill (CAMEL), whose members commissioned an in-depth survey which showed the water table at the heath was already several metres below its normal level.

CAMEL reports it is only "cautiously pleased" as there is still huge concern about the effect quarrying is having on the availability of scarce water resources in the North Downs area.

Member Nick Caddick said: "Our campaign is not simply about the impact on specific areas of Surrey, it is about the whole concept of sustainable development - a term freely used to excuse the industrialisation of swathes of Green Belt."

He pointed out that millions of gallons of water are used, then wasted in the minerals extraction process, yet the area is facing its worst drought for 100 years. He said that while it was a reprieve for the heath, the fight still goes on.

He added: "CAMEL has shown its ability to drag multiple agencies kicking and screaming to the table to address the issues of environment, water resources, and the protection of the natural habitat, but it has not been an easy task."

Reigate MP Crispin Blunt joined campaigners last Saturday at Reigate Heath to celebrate its reprieve.

He paid tribute to the work of CAMEL - "A formidably capable team," he said - as well as members of the Reigate Society, county councillor Simon Harding, and borough councillors Susie Garner and Chistopher Whinney who had all lobbied the county to get it to strike Shagbrook off its shortlist.

Dorking Advertiser - Dec 8 2005 - By David Johns

Alarm at falling level of Heath water table

ALARMED campaigners fighting against quarry work near Reigate Heath say the water table of the heath has fallen more than six metres since work began in 1955.

And they have become increasingly worried to learn the water level of the site of special scientific interest (SSSI) has plummeted at least one metre in just 18 months.

Campaigners are urging residents, walkers, users of the heath and those who care about its environment, to attend a public meeting at Reigate Grammar School on December 9 starting at 7.30pm.

In its latest report, campaign group Camel (Campaign Against Mineral Extraction and Landfill), highlights the damage being done to the ecological health of the heath by current and proposed mineral extraction nearby.

Quarrying at Tap Wood Quarry, less than a kilometre from the heath, uses more than 1.5 million gallons of water a day for washing sand. Much of this water is discharged as waste into the River Mole.

Camel member Bert Smith, said: "The accelerating rate at which the water table is failing demands immediate remedial action.

"We believe that, far from remedying this decline, Surrey County Council's proposal to include Shagbrook in its Minerals Development Framework will only make the problem considerably worse.

"The group says more quarrying will result in the destruction of the fragile ecological balance of the area, the outcome being a "dry" common land leading to the death of many important flora, significant soil erosion and further damage to increasingly scarce water resources.

Mr Smith added: "By commissioning this report - from Hydro-geological Services International - we have shown the consequence of mineral extraction, its impact on water resources and its damaging effects on Reigate Heath.

"We cannot allow myopic planning and the pursuit of ill-considered, sustainability programmes to destroy our environment and force us to import water into the county at increased cost to consumers.

"In October, Sutton and East Surrey Water highlighted that underground water levels are almost critical, caused by 25 per cent less rainfall than normal and seriously depleted water resources.

Councillor Christopher Whinney, who is chairman of the Reigate Heath Steering Group, said Reigate and Banstead Borough Council is taking a keen interest in the fate of the heath and is reviewing what action to take to maintain its SSSI status.

The public meeting will be held at Reigate Grammar School, Reigate Road, on Friday December 9 starting at 7.30pm to discuss the findings of the hydrogeological report.

The report is also available on the Camel website at www.camel.org.uk

Dorking Advertiser - Feb 10 2005 - By John Williams

Sand excavation opponents turn heat on council

FIERCE pressure exerted by residents brought county council officials to Mole Valley to discuss the threat of sand excavation to the district.

In a highly unusual move by Surrey County Council, officers from the Minerals and Waste team met with representatives from Betchworth and Buckland last week.

Under the auspices of the Committee for the Campaign Against Mineral Extraction and Landfill (Camel), residents are campaigning against plans to establish sand mines and landfill sites in the area.

In an exhaustive four-and-a-half hour meeting, the council officers were given tours of the Common Field at Betchworth and Shagbrook, Buckland. Aggrieved residents hoped to show the county council the real impact of its proposed development.

Nick Caddick from Camel said: "In a frank and positive exchange, the council's officers were receptive to the views expressed by Camel and Camel's planning and environmental advisors, RPS plc.

"The officers acknowledged inaccuracies in the preliminary assessments, but refused requests for those assessments to be corrected.

"The officers also indicated that no on-site testing or investigation would be undertaken during the formulation of the county's Mineral Development Framework.

He added: "Instead, this would be left to developers who may wish to implement the plan, following its formal adoption by county.

"Camel expressed astonishment that such a far-reaching framework would therefore be founded upon the initial assessment which they believe to be deeply flawed.

When the assessment was first presented to the public in the autumn, more than 500 enraged residents attended the meeting at Ashcombe School, swamping the minimal expectations of council officials.

Paul Tanner, an architect who lives and works next to the Common Field site, rubbished the council's views during a counter-presentation.

More than 1,000 letters of protest have now wound their way to County Hall to highlight their disaffection at Surrey County Council's plan.

Mr Caddick said: "Camel is urging everyone from Dorking to Reigate who will be affected by the proposed development to write.

"We are very pleased that Surrey County Council have visited the sites and we were able to have a forthright discussion about the technical and social impact that such proposals would have on the area.

"We are very alarmed that such work should even be considered without thorough and careful evaluation, particularly when the lives of residents are at risk and the threat of increased danger to children and visitors to the area cannot be underestimated.

"The public consultation on the sand-pit plans closes at the end of February. Views can be sent to: Minerals Development Team, County Hall, Kingston-upon-Thames KT1 2DY.

CAMPAIGNERS fighting to stop a treasured beauty spot being ruined by nearby fields being dug up and used as a huge quarry turned up in force on Sunday for a two-mile guided walk through the threatened area.

Surrey County Council has earmarked 67acres of fields near Reigate Heath as a potential site for sand and gravel extraction.

If approved, the site will stretch from Buckland Corner to Shagbrook along the A25 past the Jolly Farmers pub and up to the existing quarry workings at Park Pit.

More than 150 people joined the walk, which had been organised by The Reigate Society to highlight the threat to the heath and its amenities.

Professor David Goode, an ecologist and former chairman of The Reigate Society, led the walk and said he was pleased that so many people were there.

He said. “We stopped at various points and I explained the ecological issues and the way the heath and the area would suffer by the proximity of any quarry workings.

“Especially affected would be an area of wetland at The Alders, which is a very important part of the heath”

Professor Goode pointed out that the water table in the area had already fallen over the years, and that more workings could affect this further and have a serious impact on the heath’s wildlife.

He added: “The morning was very successful. Many people who came appreciated the fact that The Reigate Society had organised the walk, enabling them to see for themselves the potential problems the quarry workings would create.”

Claudia Payne, chairman of The Reigate Society, was one of the driving forces behind the idea of the quarry walk.

She said: “The number of people that turned up showed the strength of feeling about the issue. People were most surprised at how close to the heath the quarry would be. They were appalled at what it would do to the heath.

“We really hope this site will not go forward for quarrying. We would like it to be removed as a Potential Mineral Zone PMZ) altogether.

“We are very concerned about the ecology and amenities of the heath. It’s extraordinary that Surrey County Council should pick on this site.”

Another campaigner, Nicolas Snook, a member of the Campaign Against Mineral Extraction and Landfill (CAMEL), added: “How will Reigate Heath be able to support its site of special scientific interest and local nature reserve status with a quarry on its borders?”

DORKING and Reigate have united against the threat of industrial diggers biting through the countryside.

Surrey County Council (SCC) has earmarked the Shagbrook site, south of the A25 at Buckland, and land south of the Old Reigate Road at Betchworth as potential spots for the extraction of sand and gravel.

But concerned residents feel quarrying would cause house prices to plummet and destroy the character of the area.

Protesters in Buckland had formed the Sand Action Group (SAG) to protect the Shaghrook site, which is adjacent to the Reigate Heath Nature Reserve and just half a mile from the end of Reigate High Street.

And last Wednesday more than 150 residents turned out for a meeting at St Bede’s School, in Carlton Road, Redhill.

SAG has teamed up with Betchworth residents and the two groups are working together under a new name Campaign Against Mineral Extraction and Landfill (CAMEL).

Buckland resident Nicolas Snook said "We have been able to strengthen our cause far far more by pooling our resources across the Réigate and Dorking area."

The two spots are among 25 shortlisted by SCC.

It is a statutory requirement for all strategic planning authorities, like the county council, to identify places where sand and gravel is underground.

And once the results have been published extraction companies can use the information to approach landowners about developing sites.

Bay Veasey, SCC spokesman, said there had been a more vigorous response from the Reigate area than elsewhere in the county.

Views can be sent to: the Minerals Local Plan Team, County Hall, Kingston KT1 2DY

25 Nov 2004 - The Surrey Mirror

Towns unite to fight quarry plan

REIGATE and Dorking have united against the threat of industrial diggers biting through the countryside.

Protest groups had been working separately in the fight against plans to turn green fields into quarries.

But now residents have joined together to stop the machines moving in and destroying the areas picturesque character.

Surrey County Council (SCC) has earmarked the Shagbrook site, south of the A25 at Buckland, and land south of the Old Reigate Road at Betchworth as potential spots for the extraction of sand and gravel.

Protesters in Buckland had formed the Sand Action Group (SAG) to protect the Sbagbrook site, which is next to the Reigate Heath Nature Reserve and just half a mile from the end of Reigate High Street. And last Wednesday more than 150 residents turned out for a meeting at St Bede’s School in Carlton Road, Redhill.

SAG has now teamed up with Betchworth residents and the two groups are working together under a new name "Campaign Against Mineral Extraction and Landfill (CAMEL)."

Nicolas Snook, of Buckland, said: "We have been able to strengthen our cause far more by pooling our resources across the Reigate and Dorking area.
"I think this is going to send a clear message.
"We are getting support from as far away as the Sussex coast and London. People love Reigate Heath and to have this right next door is ridiculous."

The two spots are among 25 shortlisted by SCC. The other 23 are outside the East Surrey area.

It is a statutory requirement for all strategic planning authories like Surrey County Council, to identify where sand and gravel are underground.

And once the results have been published extraction companies can use the information to approach landowners about developing sites

Ray Veasey, SCC spokesman, said there had been a more vigorous response from the Reigate area than
elsewhere in the county.

Residents have until the end of February to register their comments but council officers are advising respondents to get in touch by the end of the year.

Campaigners are urging people to put their views about the two proposed quarries in writing to the Minerals Local Plan Team,County Hall,Kingston. KT1 2DY

Villages Lead The Battle Against Sand Pit Proposal

by John Williams
johnwilliams@trinitysouth.co.uk

Ray Veasey, a spokesman for Surrey County Council, said: “According to our officers who have given the presentations, the response in Mole Valley has been a lot more vigorous than anywhere else in the county: The Development Framework is a document compiled by the county council to explain to the Government how Surrey will match its mineral quota from 2004 until 2016.

Two sites at Shagbrook in Buckland and in the centre of Betchworth are among a list of 20 possible areas suitable for sand quarrying. Action groups to combat the council’s proposals have sprung up in the two villages and they
will share information and co ordinate their work.

Nicholas Snook, chairman of the Sand Action Group for Buckland (SAG), said: “If this went ahead it would be devastating. The land at Shagbrook is in Buckland and it would greatly affect us, but Reigate would be greatly affected as well.”

SAG was due to have a meeting last night at St Bede’s school in Reigate to impress upon residents the importance of a united opposition to the plans.

Meetings held in Dorking, Buckland and Betchworth have already attracted hundreds of residents and the campaigns look to set to go on into the future.

After the full extent of public concern was revealed, the county council extended the consultation period from November until February. Mr Veasey said: “We cannot give a review of the responses at the moment as they are still coming in, and we want to give a full picture.

“The period lasts until February for people to get their responses but we would ask people to try to get them in by the end of December. “The responses will go with a full analysis to the Government for approval.”

The Buckland action group is urging residents to make their feelings known on the issue, thus in turn ensuring that the Government will as well.

A public inquiry by an independent inspector will be held prior to all the information being sent off to the Government in autumn of next year.

Mr Snook said that SAG are well placed to conduct a campaign against any sandpit in the area.
“We have technology people working on this, people from the sand industries and we want to make people aware that it would destroy a whole section of the area,” he complained.

Objectors step up fight against excavation plans

Two meetings were held last week at Buckland Village Hall resulting in the formation of an action group to fight the proposal.

The public meeting is to be held at St Bede’s School, Canton Road, next Wednesday, November 17 at 7.3Opm for an 8pm start.

Nick Snook, chairman of the newly formed Sand Action Group, said: The proposals to extract sand in the Shag Brook area of Buckland will be disaster for the district, “But people in Leigh, Reigate and Woodhatch will all be affected by these plans and subsequently the plans to process waste in the pits produced by the excavation.

“This raises the prospect of intense industrial activity in a rural area stretching probably for more than 25 years ahead. Reigate and Banstead councillor Christopher Whinney, chairman of the Reigate Heath Steering Group, is also incensed.

He said that filling the pits after the sand has been removed will necessitate at least one lorry with soil entering the workings every four minutes for up to 20 years. He also believed people’s health would be affected by breathing in silica particles.

Tempers flared when it was discovered Surrey. County Council had posted on its website a notice that the Shag Brook area of Buckland was a suitable site for major sandworks.

Another public meeting was held at Dorking a fortnight ago.

Avril Moore, from the Reigate Societ3c said: “Buckland and the surrounding area is now threatened with long-term expansion of the existing sandpits. Members of the public are being asked to help the fight against this development by writing before Christmas to the Minerals Plan Team, Room 398, at County Hall, Kingston-on-Thames, Surrey KT1 2D.”

We don't dig quarry plan