Protecting the Oxfordshire hamlet of Sonning Eye

It is critically important that as many local people as possible voice their views on the Lafarge application for more gravel extraction at Sonning Eye. SEAG believe the works will be carried out in a way that conflicts with government guidelines and that may make flooding much worse.

You can see the application at http://tinyurl.com/sonningeye

They have many other concerns soon to be outlined on this site.

It will take at least 12 years to get the gravel out, including landfill with builders' waste. The site extends along the river towards Shiplaske.

What should I do?
Write with your views by 26 January at the latest. You can either use the online form, send a letter or you can email theplanning officer directly. He is  John Hamilton: John.Hamilton@oxfordshire.gov.uk. You should quote the application reference which is MW.0158
 
What happens next?
The planning officer will write a report recommending refusal or acceptance. Since the council propose to include the area in their Minerals Plan (which has yet to be agreed) they may well recommend acceptance. The application will then go to the Planning and Regulation Committee at 5 March at the earliest.

Points for your response
On their website OCC suggest you consider:

• Land use - is the proposed use of the land suitable given its location and surroundings?

• Physical impact - What are your views on the appearance of the development. What do you think of any landscaping scheme? Would you be affected by noise, smell or dust? What do you think of any landscaping/restoration scheme?
• Traffic - What are your views on any arrangements for access and parking? How will the amount or flow of traffic be affected?
• Community - How will local services and the environment be affected?

OCC cannot usually take into account:

• fears about loss of value of property

We don't have long, because 26 January is the last date for consultation responses.

The clock is ticking for your response to Lafarge Aggregates plans for 12+ years of new gravel extraction in Sonning Eye. The application is currently on the Lafarge website, but has yet to be registered by Oxfordshire County Council. Once they have done this, responses can be sent to them.

The site comes close to the River Thames and also to a popular footpath which runs along Spring Lane. Gravel will be replaced with landfill, which will be brought in by heavy lorries along the Henley Road, adding to the traffic congestion in Caversham and Henley.

Locals are very concerned that inadequate care has been taken to protect them from increased risk of flooding, both during the works when massive soil banks will potentially disrupt the flow of floodwaters, and after the work is ended, when less porous materials disrupt the free flow of groundwater.

For full details until the application is recognised by Oxfordshire County Council, see the Lafarge website.