April 2006

Last chance to Save Our Sands, we need you to give evidence by 20th May for the Public enquiry. The Inquiry starts on 20th June 2006

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GOVERNMENT VIEW: NEW ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE EICENSING OF MINERAES DREDGING PROPOSED EICENCE FOR MARINE AGGREGATES DREDGING, HEEWICK BANK (EEANELLI SAND DREDGING LTD).

I refer to the above application for a marine dredging license, which has been referred to The National Assembly for Wales under the Government View procedure. The application has now- been passed to the Inspectorate and they will be arranging for a planning Inspector to consider the issues involved and submit a report to the Assembly for their consideration. Mr. Crahart is the case officer handling the application.

To consider all the relevant aspects of the proposed development, the Assembly has to decide whether to hold a local inquiry.

If you intend to appear and give evidence at the inquiry or if you wish to rely on written comments, you should send your representations to be received at the address below by 20th May2006. They will copy your representations to the applicant. If you wish to receive a copy of the decision letter, you must write to them asking for one. Evidence can be photographic as well as written.

If you do not intend to appear at or attend the inquiry it would be helpful if you could let Mr. Crahart know.

On the information so far available to the Assembly, the following are matters that the Assembly particularly wishes to be informed about for the purposes of its consideration of the application:

• National Policy on marine aggregates dredging including continuity of supply - IMADP;
• Physical Impact on Helwick Bank itself in relation to its designation objectives as part of the SAC;
• Potential impact of dredging at Helwick Bank on:
  • a. Carmarthen Bay and Estuaries SAC, Carmarthen Bay SPA
  • b. Coastal features including beaches (Rhossili, Port Eynon, Three Cliffs Bay, Oxwich
    and Mewslade);
• Potential cumulative impact of dredging for aggregates (taking into account any decision on proposed dredging at Nobel Banks);
• Fisheries - conflict between fishing interests and proposed aggregates
• Monitoring Strategy and appropriate conditions to be attached if a favourable GV is recommended
• Appropriate Assessment

This is to be taken as the Assembly's statement under Rule 6(12) of the 2003 Rules. This does not prevent you from raising other matters which you consider relevant.

Mr. Cravat
Case Officer
Major Casework Section
The Planning Inspectorate
Crown Buildings,
Cathays Park,
Cardiff,
CF10 3NQ http:
http://wwvv.planning-inspectorate.gov.uk

Direct Protest

If you would like to protest via email directly to key people involved in this issue, please use the email addresses below.

First Minister. Rhodri Morgan rhodri.morgan@wales.gov.uk

Deputy First Minister. Michael German michael.german@wales.gov.uk

Environment Minister. Carwyn Jones carwyn.jones@wales.gov.uk


Forthcoming Events

A decision on issuing a new 10 year licience will be made by the Welsh Environmental Secetary, Carwyn Jones.
If you would like to voice your opinions on the Bristol Channel dredging issues please contact her at the National Assembly for Wales:

Carwyn Jones. Environment Secretay for Wales
tel: 02920 898391 / 02920 989472
fax: 02920 898129

Car Stickers with the Save Our Sands Logo are available from shops throught Swansea and the surrounding regions free of charge.

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