BBC presenter says sand quarry will '˜destroy' town

A BBC radio presenter has added her voice to opposition to a proposed plan to put a sand quarry in Steyning, as the quarry would '˜destroy' the surrounding area near her grandparents' family cottage.
By The Newsroom
Published 29th Jun 2016, 11:52 BST
Updated 8th Jun 2018, 00:46 BST

Jo Good, best known for her afternoon show on BBC London, spent time growing up in Steyning with her grandparents, and says ‘Steyning will be destroyed’ by the plan to extract 850,000 tonnes of sand from Ham Farm.

Miss Good used to visit her grandparents often at Horsebrook Cottage, a Grade Two, 17th century farmhouse which lies adjacent to Ham Farm.

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She said: “My grandparents lived there from 1935 until the late 1970s. My grandad worked the land which is now being considered for this quarry.

“The beauty of this area is why I have bought a tiny one up one down in Steyning, so that I can return to my childhood memories – to the sanctuary of Steyning.

“I want to move here when I eventually retire, and I am speechless about what is being proposed. I cannot believe it, it is breaking my heart.”

There has been a great deal of opposition to the plans in recent weeks from Steyning Parish Council, who officially requested West Sussex County Council remove the site from the Joint Minerals Draft Plan. Campaigners from the Steyning Action Quarry Group have also been against the plan.

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Other objectors have included the owners of the Alderwoods Pond Fishing Farm who say the quarry will be an ‘eyesore’ and destroy the surrounding woodland.

But Miss Good said she was concerned about how much the action group would be able to achieve.

She added: “The action group I fear faces a David and Goliath tussle, but I will do all I can to support them.”

The consultation period for the plan ended on June 17, and residents of Steyning are now waiting to hear if the site will be kept for consideration by planning officers.

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Related topics:BBC