New research opportunities

Post date: May 1, 2012 4:05:32 PM

New opportunities for research into Norfolk's geology are being opened up, thanks to Norfolk planners and long-term advocacy work by the Partnership.

The County Council has just published the development plan documents for Minerals & Waste Site Allocations. These set out the locations and conditions for newly approved quarry sites and the restoration of old ones. The conditions include provisions for access for geological study, and recommendations for conservation and enhancement, e.g. public interpretation panels. There will be new opportunities for geology in the following parishes:

• Breckland - Beetley, Carbrooke, Shropham, Snetterton.

• Broadland - Attlebridge, Buxton with Lammas, Felthorpe, Frettenham, Horsham St Faith, Horstead with Stanninghall, Newton St Faith, Spixworth.

• King’s Lynn & West Norfolk - Castle Rising, Congham, East Rudham, East Winch, Leziate, Middleton, Pentney, Roydon, Watlington.

• North Norfolk - Aylmerton, East Beckham, Holt, North Walsham.

• South Norfolk - Heckingham, Norton Subcourse, Stoke Holy Cross, Swainsthorpe, Swardeston, Wymondham.

Norton Subcourse quarry is an example of one of the important sites listed for expansion. Interglacial deposits were identified there in 2001 by geologist Elvin Thurston, visiting courtesy of Cemex UK Ltd. As a result a major excavation uncovered rich evidence of life during a phase of the Cromerian interglacial complex, over 500,000 years ago. For more information see http://www.bohomedia.com/hippositenew/. This shows how significant an agreement about gaining access to a quarry for scientific study may be.

To download more information about the new Site Allocations, go to the Norfolk County Council website.