This pandemic has highlighted how little open space there is available for residents in this area of Hatfield and Smallford.
To Hertfordshire Planning Department for the attention of the planning officers and members of the Development Control Committee regarding Application Ref 5/0394-16.
Proposed loss of public accessible green space from quarrying on land at the old Hatfield aerodrome now known as Ellenbrook Fields and intended to be a Country Park set aside for the benefit of all residents in Hatfield and St Albans.
Dear Chay, Jonathan and Brian. Please acknowledge receipt of this objection.
The latest coronavirus pandemic has really highlighted how important this area of green space, intended to be a community asset as a Country park actually is, and the lack of any other decent accessible open space around here. For those who live in and around Ellenbrook Fields it has been a really important area to exercise safely and enjoy a brief moment out of the house during this lockdown. This has provided a vital role in maintaining not only physical wellbeing but the mental wellbeing of the community and help to prevent the spread of the virus by allowing us space to social distance.
It is so apparent that had we not had this open area we would not have been able to exercise safely in the open.
This pandemic has highlighted how little open space there is available for residents in this area of Hatfield and Smallford. The only other public area available for outside exercise is the Alban Way, unfortunately this, in the majority of the bridleway length, is less than two metres wide so we would not be able to maintain the government’s guidelines on social distancing. The Alban Way has also been extremely busy with runners and cyclists, but in Ellenbrook Fields everyone can spread out and maintain a safe distance, vital at this moment in time and for the foreseeable future.
The applicant would say that once this pandemic is over the need for this open space disappears. As slim a chance as it is, that another pandemic may occur within the lifetime of this quarry, there is always that possibility, if we no longer have this vital community resource, what happens then. This pandemic has clearly highlighted how important this park is to the area and how big a loss it will be to the community regardless of any health emergencies.
With all the other major concerns including the increased pollution, traffic issues, the threat to the source water from the Bromate/Bromide carcinogenic pollution plume, the increased risk of flooding to the surrounding areas, with both domestic housing and commercial premises at risk including University buildings, some of which are already registered as being at High and Medium risk of flooding by the government, along with the loss of the promised Country park, leaves this area, its industry and residents at great risk on all these issues going forward.
We ask that you consider carefully the huge impact this quarry will have on this area for a very lengthy period, in excess of 30 years and the immense loss this small piece of green belt will have on all of us and reject this application. The detrimental impacts of the quarry far outweigh any positive effects this quarry may have.
Dates of previous pandemics/epidemics for your information
Yearly Flu epidemics
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) 2012
Avian Flu - 2009
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) -2002
Foot and Mouth epidemic - 2001
BSE Outbreak (vCJD) 1996-2001
Hong Kong Flu 1968 -69
Asian Flu 1956-58
Spanish Flu 1918-20
Submitted by
John Jackson, Sue Meehan, the entire EARA Committee
Craig Talents, Hugh Burrell, Jeff Lewis and Smallford Residents Association
On behalf of the residents of this area.
Local residents trying to preserve our community and local environment for future generations with no political affiliation. Website - www.ellenbrookresidents.org