Historic England has given assurance that it will "absolutely recognise and value the importance of Cadhay and its immediate surrounds", in relation to Aggregate Industries' application to quarry Straitgate Farm and the impact it would have on Cadhay’s drinking water supplies and listed mediaeval fishponds.
Professor Brassington – an expert in hydrogeology – has looked at the effect AI’s scheme would have on local groundwater sources and has concluded that 'ANY quarrying at Straitgate would cause problems'. In correspondence with the Environment Agency, Prof Brassington has warned:
In my opinion the proposal that removes most of the unsaturated zone in an aquifer that is fragile is too risky and presents too much of a hazard to the water supplies of a large number of people in addition to those supplies for Cadhay House and its mediaeval fishponds and ancient woodlands.
Following his report, Devon Gardens Trust has objected, and now Historic England has weighed in:
The fish ponds clearly form an important element to the setting of the grade I listed house and are a key feature within the grade II registered park and garden...
...we are continuing to liaise with officers at the Local Authority to understand how we can best advise on the application, bearing in mind our area of expertise and our role and remit within this process.
We understand from the Local Authority that there is continued disagreement between the experts involved with the case as to the potential impact of the proposals on the hydrology of the area. As such, the Council is seeking further work to be undertaken by the applicants in order to gain a better understanding of the hydrological impact, and we understand they have requested that this includes an assessment of the potential impact on Cadhay. This is likely to require further detailed discussions with the Environment Agency...
...we have agreed with the Local Authority that Historic England will be re-consulted on the submission of additional information to the Environmental Impact Assessment, of which any hydrology report will form a part. This will provide an opportunity for us to review the potential impact of the proposed scheme on the historic environment, specifically in relation to Cadhay and its surrounding estate...
...we absolutely recognise and value the importance of Cadhay and its immediate surrounds.
