We are raising awareness of this issue as a considerable number of the proposed sites are so close to existing villages that they would detrimentally affect our health, our economic wellbeing, our way of life and the future inheritance of Norfolk families and people living in Norfolk.
What's the big deal?A significant number of large sites locally have been identified for silica sand extraction. Some are being proposed now such as MIN 40 (Land to the East of Grandcourt Farm). Some already have current planning permission, including the area immediately to the west of MIN 40 (which we didn't know about at all until recently) and others to the north of the village are already in operation.
"All I need is the air that I breathe."The Health and Safety Executive have published a document which states:
“Breathing in the very fine dust of crystalline silica can lead
to the development of silicosis. This involves scarring of
the lung tissue and can lead to breathing difficulties.
Exposure to very high concentrations over a relatively
short period of time can cause acute silicosis, resulting in
rapidly progressive breathlessness and death within a few
months of onset.”
www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/cis36.pdf"Another one bites the dust."
Report On Carcinogens, 11th Edition - ExtractsSilica, Crystalline (Respirable size) "is known to be a human carcinogen".
"The link between human lung cancer and exposure to Respirable crystalline silica was strongest in studies of quarry and granite workers...""Residents near quarries and sand and gravel operations are potentially exposed to respirable crystalline silica."
“The findings in humans are supported by studies in experimental animals demonstrating consistent
increases in lung cancers in rats chronically exposed to respirable crystalline silica by inhalation or
intratracheal instillation.”
“Single intrapleural or intraperitoneal injections of various forms of respirable crystalline silica
caused lymphomas in rats (IARC 1997).”
“Respirable crystalline silica deposited in the lungs causes epithelial injury and macrophage activation, leading to inflammatory responses and cell proliferation of the epithelial and interstitial cells.
In humans, respirable crystalline silica persists in the lungs, culminating in the development of
chronic silicosis,
emphysema,
obstructive airway
disease, and
lymph node fibrosis.”
What's the Local Impact?We are currently focusing on a site immediately next to the village designated by the council as MIN 40. Further excavations such as that proposed at MIN 40 will only increase the risk and accelerate the effects which, given the status of current sites already in operation, are likely to be at less than satisfactory levels already.
Irrevocable Destruction of Norfolk’s Heritage, the beautiful countryside we live in, it’s historic buildings and it’s animals despite species being on the Biodiversity Action Plan (e.g. Skylarks)
Our economic wellbeing, as the encroaching development will deter other buyers from moving in (and us from moving out!) Local businesses would suffer. These areas could become No Go areas.
Environment: Unique Historical Local buildings would be destroyed and undermined, and significant portions of the beautiful peaceful countryside we know and love will disappear forever under tons of rubbish.
What will we leave behind for our children?
A green unspoilt Norfolk,or a desolate wasteland of dangerous dust?Living with the consequencesEvery day a site is in operation, those nearby will have to tolerate years of noise, light and dust pollution, and in many cases for our older residents, who were expecting a peaceful retirement, that level of nuisance will persist for the rest of their natural lives.
And for what?
Devastating long term consequences for the village, and short term profit for the developers and other parties directly at our expense.
All for some glass bottles, flatscreen TV's and some golf bunkers. Does it make sense?
We need your support
If we don’t stand together, as my “brother in arms” Sam Knox (Webmaster of the Save Pentney website) has stated, “We’ll only have our own apathy to blame”.
