Mark Prisk, MP for Hertford and Stortford, has written a letter to the inspector objecting to the Bengeo Quarry appeal. Mark has been very vocal in his opposition to the quarry and has been involved heavily throughout the process. His letter can be read below.
Appeal for permission for mineral extraction at Ware Park, Wadesmill Road, Hertford, Herts, SG14 3JS
I write to strongly object to this appeal. It is opposed by the vast majority of my constituents in the Bengeo area, together with local councillors and has been clearly rejected by the local planning authority.
Risk to air quality
The application would be for mineral extraction and associated works immediately opposite residents’ homes and a short distance from the playground of the local primary school. The dust generated and the nature of the particulates represents a risk to the local air quality, particularly to young lungs.
The National Planning Policy Framework is clear that a planning authority must ensure there are no unacceptable adverse impacts on human health. As it stands the applicant cannot provide that assurance.
Traffic impact
The application proposes that the equivalent of over 80 lorries per day travel to and from the site, or the equivalent of one every eight minutes. Local roads are already under pressure and this level of additional traffic is inappropriate.
Environmental impact
The application would severely and permanently damage Bengeo Fields, impacting both flora and fauna. The works would be adjacent to the ancient St John’s Wood. The application impacts on the established public footpath and the rights therein.
Risk to water supply
Perhaps the single most important risk of granting permission would be to the local water supply. The applicant envisages extensive works immediately adjacent to the boreholes at Wadesmill Road. These boreholes pump several million gallons of fresh water into the local water supply network and is used by homes and businesses alike.
I have corresponded with and met representatives from the Environment Agency. They have stated to me that the application is ‘in a highly sensitive groundwater area in a Source Protection Zone 1′ and that ‘is it essential that there is no harm to the water environment as a result of this development.’.
The Environment Agency have set out their standard requirements for seeking to mitigate water pollution, once it has occurred. However this advice does not seek to prevent harm in the first place. You should be aware that Hertfordshire County Council has twice recorded formally its serious concern about this threat to water-supply, in March 2017 and again in April 2018.
I am not aware of any independent assessment of the local geology and chalk structure citing that there is no risk to the water supply. Without such a clear statement, granting this appeal would in my opinion be highly irresponsible, given the serious nature of any risk to the health of local people.
No statutory need
Finally, the application is to supply gravel for which there is no statutory need. The County Council has a current land bank of suitable sites for sand and gravel extraction which will provide at least 15 years supply, or twice the council’s statutory obligation.
This proposed quarry has proven one of the most controversial of any I have encountered as the local MP for the area, since 2001. The overwhelming view of local people is that this application should not be approved. I would therefore wish to register my strong opposition to this appeal.