Mineral Extraction Application - Tarmac Southern / Trafford Estates:

The main item on the agenda was the renewed application by Tarmac to extract minerals from the site on Norwich Road, Horstead. The original application having been refused by Norfolk County Council was the subject of an appeal - possibly for hearing in March 2004. In the meantime Tarmac had submitted a revised plan for a smaller quarry (roughly 50%) on the same site.

Representatives from Tarmac and Trafford Estates addressed the Council on the new plans. The Chairman subsequently permitted questions of clarification to be directed at these representatives by the many members of the public present, who perhaps had not seen the full plans.

Following the presentation and the points raised by residents the Council unanimously agreed to object to the new application on the following grounds. These have been summarized for convenience, but full details are available from the Clerk to the Council:-

1. Proliferation of extraction sites in the area.

2. The size of the site is overpowering and inappropriate for a rural setting especially on the main approach road to the village and Bure Valley

3. Additional traffic generated will cause problems on the already busy BI 150. The site by use of Stanninghall Lane will cut that hamlets link with its neighbours –Horstead /Coltishall

4. Pollution/noise will be detrimental to residents especially in Stanninghall and might well affect tourist trade

5. Pollution in winter by artificial light

6. The concrete manufacturing plant will generate dust and noise and pose a possible health hazard

7. Security of the site would not be 100%

8. The proposed length of operation was detrimental to the future development of Horstead with Stanninghall and Coltishall thereby lowering the quality of life and the value of property

9. Having a waste disposal facility already in the village (Mayton), there was no guarantee that this site might be put to the same use in the future when gravel extraction is completed

10. Finally, the Council felt that should the application be successful there should be no importation of minerals to the site and a traffic management scheme should be implemented to relieve the problems that would be generated for the resident of Stanninghall.

The Councils objections had to be submitted to the County Council by the 25th September. The Chairman understood that comments from residents might be received by the County Council after that date. A date had still to be announced for the hearing at County Hall.
A request was made for a Public Meeting to discuss the Tarmac Application – arrangements for this will be made in the near future and details will be published on the local notice boards.

Right To Roam Legislation:
It is understood the Parish Council will receive the appropriate maps from County Hall by the middle of September. They will be available for public to inspect; application should be made to the Clerk.

Mill:
Highways have declined a traffic management scheme for Mill Road due to lack of resources. There was however a possibility of extending the 30mph speed limit to the junction with Green Lane.

The Parish Councils planning application for the restoration of the bank etc. of the Mill Pool have been granted and work would start by the Broads Authority on 22nd September.

During the previous weekend local youths had erected a tent on the Mill Meadow and this was followed by a ‘mini rave’ which lasted well into the early hours. Letters of complaint have been sent to the Broads Authority by the occupants of cruisers moored nearby and the police have been informed. The Broads Authority were taking steps to prohibit camping but the Council did face a problem as the original business plan submitted for the Lottery Grant had, on the insistence of the Broads Authority, included camping for canoeists

Complaints had also been received regarding the dumping of garden refuse on the verge leading to the Mill entrance.

RAF Coltishall Noise Survey:
A report had been received from the MOD which basically placed Horstead outside the noise envelope created by aircraft using the base. A number of adjacent councils were far from happy with contents of the report and a meeting was due to be held at Buxton Village Hall, to discuss the problem, in the near future.

Mr Benton and Dr Watts agreed to attend together with the Clerk.

Youth Challenge:
Mr Gowlett reported the youth club would start on the 15th September at the Coltishall Social Club, a charge of £6 per session would be levied. A grant of £250 had been obtained from the Norfolk County Youth Services.

Playing Field:
Following the period of public consultation to which there had been no response, it was agreed the expenditure necessary to re-instate the aerial runway would, in the light of the Councils financial position, be inappropriate. In the interest of Health and Safety the pole structure would be removed. Mr Benton accepting the contract.