Proposal to extend the disused Chantry Lane sand quarry to extract 1,000,000 tons of soft sand. The public consultation runs from 6 January 2020 to 2 March 2020.
West Sussex County Council and the South Downs National Park Authority have published a revised soft sand strategy for the Joint Minerals Local Plan.
A new soft sand quarry outside the National Park, at Ham Farm near Steyning is proposed for allocation.
There are also two proposed extensions to existing soft sand quarries within the South Downs National Park at Chantry Lane (near Storrington) and West Heath (near Rogate).
Stakeholders and members of the public are being asked for their representations on the soundness and legal and procedural compliance of the review, from 6 January 2020 to 2 March 2020.
The Soft Sand Review considers the need for soft sand during the period to 2033, the supply strategy and the identification of potential extraction sites.
‘Soft sand’ (also known as ‘building sand’) is generally fine-grained, relatively soft textured, free-flowing in nature, and used in mortar. Its properties are different to the ‘sharp sand’ extracted in the county, which is rough, angular, and used predominantly in concrete.
The Chantry Lane proposal has wide ranging impacts. A set of principles have been laid down, but have yet to be assessed including amongst them:
- the HGV routing to ensure that HGVs travelling to/from the site avoid the village of Storrington;
- an Air Quality Assessment, if the traffic from the site could have a negative impact on the Air Quality Management Area in Storrington High Street
Deborah Urquhart, West Sussex County Council Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “As a mineral planning authority, West Sussex County Council is required to plan for a steady and adequate supply of minerals, including soft sand.
“We have taken account of the comments that we received earlier this year on the issues and options, and I would now encourage people to take this opportunity to make their representations on the review.
“These representations will then be considered by an independent Planning Inspector at an examination before the review can be adopted.”
Tim Slaney, Director of Planning at the South Downs National Park Authority, said: “The revised strategy and its potential impact on the South Downs National Park have been carefully considered in the context of the National Park’s purposes and duty and the Inspector’s comments on the Joint Minerals Local Plan.
“We welcome all comments received so far in this process and would now encourage people to have their say as the proposals enter the next phase of public consultation.”
The consultation is available online
For further information contact – Planning Services, West Sussex County Council, County Hall, Chichester, PO19 1RH, call 01243 642118 or email mwdf@westsussex.gov.uk.
Information about this consultation is also available in libraries and district council offices, as well as at County Hall in Chichester and the South Downs Centre in Midhurst.
More information about the Joint Minerals Local Plan is also available online.