MP set to hear sand extraction fears at Marham meeting
A public meeting is due to take place tonight to discuss controversial plans to extract silica sand from land between Shouldham and Marham.
South West Norfolk MP Elizabeth Truss is due to attend the event at the Marham village hall, which starts at 6.30pm.
Elizabeth Truss MP(4510400)
The meeting has been called by the action group Catss (Campaigners Against Two Silica Sites).
It is opposed to the current inclusion of land between Shouldham Warren and Marham Fen as a site for the extraction of silica sand, within Norfolk County Council's draft minerals and waste plan.
Minerals company Sibelco has expressed an interest in developing the site, which it says it has also secured the agreement of the landowner to work on.
Company officials have also said they would pump sand from the site to their processing facility at Leziate if any future planning application, which is still likely to be some years away, is approved.
But campaigners are also against the inclusion of a larger area, including the warren, as an area of search for the material, which is commonly used in the glassmaking industry.
They are worried about issues including traffic, noise and dust pollution, as well as the potential implications for public health.
More than 500 people have also signed an online petition against the proposals.
Politics Lynn News Reporter