I OBJECT to the site at Mill Hill near Barton in Fabis (MP2s) for the following reasons.

Damage to wildlife habitat:
This site is within the Green Belt. The County Council's own Sustainability Assessment evaluated this site as being the most environmentally damaging site of all those proposed in the county - and for this reason it was rejected in the last Draft Plan in 2014. Development in this area would devastate prime wildlife habitat for many species. The proposal includes 5 Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation - 4 of these are wetland areas which are declining rapidly in Nottinghamshire (more than 40% since 1940) and are currently a scarce resource in Nottinghamshire, according to the Nottinghamshire Biological Action Plan. Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust have voiced very serious concerns, stating that the site supports a diverse range of birds for feeding and breeding, including many birds of high conservation concern (red & amber listed). Rare reptiles and mammals have also been spotted in the area (grass snakes, harvest mice & otters). The RSPB have stated that the continued protection of the local wildlife habitats on this site should be seen as crucial, in line with section 117 and 118 of the National Planning Policy Framework. The proposed restoration will come too late and cannot compensate for the loss of habitat that will occur. Once the area has been destroyed, the habitat and the current range of biodiversity seen in this area will be lost forever if the proposal goes ahead.

Loss of important leisure area:
The proposed site is valuable amenity land for local residents and people from further afield. A bridleway and a long section of public footpath are within the site. It is a tranquil spot of countryside that my family and many other people, adults and families, use for many different pursuits including walking, cycling, horseriding, dog walking, birdwatching, and photography. This area gives the local Home Educating community an essential natural space for environmental, wildlife and nature studies.

Loss of agricultural land:
Developing this site will cause the permanent loss of high-grade farm land. There are no plans to restore this land back to agricultural use so this will add to the cost of food imports for this country. We should be preserving and safeguarding this country's agricultural land and our ability to produce our own food.

Flood risk:
The County Council's own Sustainability Appraisal identified the flood risk as "very negative". It is completely unacceptable to select this site until all flood risk implications have been fully identified. Any statement that quarry workings are 'flood compatible' is irrelevant until proved via a full assessment.

Safety issues:
Quarry workings produce deep water ponds which pose a real danger to children and animals. The bridleway from Clifton to Barton would provide easy access to the gravel workings. No amount of safety precautions can eliminate this danger completely.

Generation of noise:
Sound in this area is carried for long distances around the Trent valley e.g. the noise from the train track on the other side of the river is easy to hear in Barton. There will be considerable impact on quality of life to myself and family, villagers in Barton and all those who use this area for leisure pursuits from heavy machinery operating 12 hours/day, 6 days/week. No amount of mitigation and measure to limit the effects can overcome this.

Historical damage:
The area is rich in history and archaeology. A remnant of 'ridge and furrow' ploughing is present in the proposed site. This and any number of historical artefacts will be lost forever. A full assessment of the impact of the proposed site in this respect has not been undertaken.

Effect of village environment:
Barton-in-Fabis is a quiet rural village with a long history and important listed buildings. The proposed site is an essential part of the village setting. The proposed development is completely incompatible with the village community and will jeopardise the many activities/events that take place here.

Unjustified criterion:
The Council has introduced the new criterion of maintaining a geographical spread of sites across the County. This has been done despite the Council's statement (relating to their earlier 'Issues and Options' consultation) that "Generally, respondents felt that prioritising geographic areas above others would not be appropriate, instead each site should be judged on its own merits." By introducing this new criterion the Council is going directly against the views of the many people who responded. The Council has not produced any data to justify the geographical spread of sites. In addition, the Council's new Draft Minerals Local Plan has stated that the need for sand and gravel is not as great as previously calculated in 2014 and that there are alternative sites available to the one at Barton.