CHARING PARISH COUNCIL
Re: Planning application KCC/AS/0534/2011
Sand extraction, off Pluckley Road, Charing.
Suggested reasons to object to the above application:
No proven need identified, other sites in existence that will fulfil identified need for next 10 to 15 years.
The applicant has not proved the quantity of sand likely to be available, we believe the quantity to be far less than is quoted – 10.5m tonnes to be extracted over a 10 year period.
The applicant appears to not be a member of a recognised mineral extraction association (e.g. Mineral Products Association) or have an adequate Bond to safeguard the site if the company folds before the site has been worked out and restored.
Highways. No adequate solution to the many highways issues along Pluckley Road and Station Road. The 'solutions' to the Station Road problem would be laughable were it not so serious. The applicant mentions an existing access onto Pluckley Road where none exists and access over land that appears to belong to others.
Little regard has been given to ground water issues. The implications the application could have on Charing Pumping Station about 170 meters from the site (this station sits on the same 'Source Protection Zone that the site is on) are enormous. The pumping station feeds Charing, surrounding villages and Ashford. More and more is being known about the poor state of our water supplies (ground water levels are at an all time low) and the risk we all now face of water restrictions. Rainfall records show that we have suffered the worst 10 months since 1880s and our stored rainfall is worse than before the long hot summer of 1976. During this time Ashford and Charing has grown considerably. Nothing should be done on this site that will risk the water supply. The rainfall information that accompanies the application is inaccurate. Charing Pumping Station and local independent readings taken for the EA have detailed daily records that can be shown to be at variants to the applicants.
The re-direction of an ancient stream will in effect mean little or no fall resulting in silting up.
Little or no historic data stated whereas Charing has -with help- identified many historic features within the site.
You may have issues not highlighted here, feel free to mention them. Your letters of objection in your own words should start with 'I object to this application for the following reasons' and be sent to Planning Applications Group (KCC/AS/0534/2011), Kent County Council, First floor, County Hall, Maidstone, Kent. ME14 1XX or by e-mail to planning.applications@kent.gov.uk
For more information and the Charing P.C. response visit our web site: www.charingpc.kentparishes.gov.uk/ Dawne Austen, Clerk to Charing P.C. Tel. 01233 713599.
For documents / reports from the public meeting on Thursday 23rd February please go to the local news section of the website.