Representation by Rupert Hosier
- Date submitted
- 11 January 2019
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I was raised on a farm in the southern part of the World Heritage Site and now work for the family business. I feel very privileged to have grown up in such a unique landscape and I never cease to be moved by its beauty. I therefore feel that I have the role of ‘custodian of the landscape’ which involves protecting the wildlife and archaeology. The position of the western portal and deep cutting within our farm and World Heritage Site will have a negative impact on the landscape and pose a real threat to the viability our business. I therefore maintain that I cannot support the scheme presented.
My concerns are many, but the main points are listed below:
Scheme overview
The scheme timetable has always taken priority over any meaningful engagement with my family and the quality of the surveys undertaken has suffered as a result.
The concept of ‘Outstanding Universal Value’ has been misunderstood and misrepresented and as a result, work undertaken so far, has not up to World Heritage Site standard.
Consultation
Only one option is on the table: There is no choice between a surface route or a tunnel.
Consultation material produced by Highways England has misled the public, by implying that there is open access over the WHS (including our farm, which is private land).
The DCO has been submitted without fundamental decisions on soil protection during construction, monitoring and land management around the portal approach.
S172 powers have been used aggressively by Highways England to expedite the process, instead of choosing to actively engage with my family.
Farming operations
A reduction in the area available for environmental and pig enterprises, will impact on farm rotation, profit and the viability of our business.
The land acquisition for the western portal approach is excessive and a waste of tax payers’ money.
Groundwater
Highways England has failed to adequately engage with my family over concerns regarding the impact of the tunnel on our borehole supply, both in terms of quality and quantity.
If the groundwater is compromised during tunnel construction and on completion, there will be serious implications for the viability of our business and immediate animal welfare issues.
Highways England will not enter into discussions regarding the provision of an alternative water supply, should our boreholes be compromised.
RSPB Reserve
The promotion of the byways within Highways England’s literature has endangered the Reserve, putting wildlife and Stone Curlews at risk instead of building on the existing rich biodiverse landscape which protects the setting and archaeology of the WHS.
Cultural Heritage
If the scheme goes ahead and World Heritage Site status if withdrawn, there will be serious implications for tourism and the local economy.
Byways
The promotion of new and existing byways within the scheme will add unnecessary disturbance to the Reserve, in terms of fly tipping, illegal camping and property damage.