{photo}
The Minutes of theExtrodinary Meeting held on Wednesday 8th December 2004 7.30pm
in Winkleigh Community Centre

Cllrs Present: King, Bowers, J.Turner, Colgrave, Griffiths, Hodgson, Camilleri, de Louvois & Stutt
Cllrs Apologies: Cowle & N.Turner.

 

S1.12.4 Planning

New Applications
a. 1/2305/2004/FUL: Demolition of dilapidated bungalow and garage & construction of replacement house and garage, Sunpatch, 1 Exeter Road, Winkleigh: Cllr Colgrave declared an interest and left the meeting. Cllrs Stutt & King advised that they would be abstaining from voting on his matter. Cllrs noted that there may be some concerns regarding loss of view as the proposal is to replace a bungalow with a house and also noted that the plan shows 2 off road parking spaces. Cllr Hodgson proposed APPROVAL of this application - seconded by Cllr Turner : voting 6 for ,0 against, 2 abstentions - MOTION CARRIED: APPROVED.

b. 1/2209/2004/FUL: 9 no timber holiday cabins (1 to double as show cabin), 2 fishing lakes, wildlife garden and run a professional fishing operation, Orchard adjoining Western Barn, Hatherleigh Road, Winkleigh: Cllrs discussed this application confirming that the PC had approved the last application 1/833/2004/FUL but that it was refused by TDC as there was inclusion of a cabin to be permanently used by a manager. Cllrs discussed and said that this element of the application had been amended. Cllr de Louvois stated that in response to the previous application the PC had requested that one condition of planning approval would be that the lakes were completed before occupancy of any of the cabins. It was proposed by Cllr J.Turner that the Parish Council APPROVE the application with the condition that the lakes are completed prior to occupancy of the cabins - seconded by Cllr King - voting: 7 for, 1 against : MOTION CARRIED : APPROVED

c. 1/2347/2004/FUL: Workshop & yard for class B2 general industrial use, Land at Winkleigh Airfield: Cllr Camilleri took this opportunity to advise Cllrs that he would be unable to vote on any planning applications for Winkleigh Airfield as he was currently in communication with the Planning Inspectorate.
Cllr Hodgson said that he felt that this application was completely in line with the PC's policy of development for Winkleigh Airfield and that approval should be given. Cllr J.Turner said he felt due to current concerns regarding TDC's decisions on development for the Airfield the PC must express fully the reasons for approval. Cllr J.Turner proposed that the PC respond that the application is APPROVED as Winkleigh Parish Council believes that this location already has planning permission for B1,B2 & B8 uses as it was established in 1990 as part of GerryDown Business park and at no time have the Parish Council been advised of any change of use - seconded by Cllr Hodgson : voting 7 for, 0 against, 1 abstention. : MOTION CARRIED: APPROVED.

S2.12.4 Matters Arising

a. Application 1/2149/2004/FUL: Redevelopment of the site for industrial use for the purpose of the construction and operation of a biomass electricity generator, enhanced vehicular access, works of landscaping on site of the former Airfield, Winkleigh Airfield
The Chairman addressed the Council and discussed the draft document previously issued to Cllrs for consideration prior to the meeting. The Chairman outlined the areas covered in his draft explaining that he had looked at three sections:
1) Planning matters
2) Material issues that appertain to planning matters, and
3) Details/extracts and inaccuracies in the reports.
The Chairman stated that for section three he had used general issues and some specific issues relating directly to the accompanying reports to the planning application ie. The gross error in traffic calculations to which the consultants had admitted when challenged.
The Councillors agreed to discuss the draft in detail to agree the final format for submission to TDC.

Draft Ref: 1. Road Traffic Implications: Cllrs agreed that they felt that specific issues within the parish should be included and agreed the following inclusion:
New Sports Centre is directly on route to the site and increased traffic along the A3124 raises concerns over pedestrian safety. This stretch on the A3124 has no street lights, footpath or pedestrian crossing.
There is no footpath or street lights from Four Seasons into Winkleigh village and therefore pedestrian safety would be further compromised.
There are a number of inadequate/dangerous junctions within the area including the junction where the bypass joins the A3124 south of Mid Devon Motors which is entirely inappropriate for large high sided lorries.

Draft Ref 2. Visual Impact: Cllrs agreed the following inclusion:
The extensive screening shown on the plans will not take effect for a number of years and will therefore be inadequate for approximately 50 years.

Draft Ref 5. Results of failure of technology or business: Cllrs discussed and agreed the following inclusion:
The technology proposed is experimental and the Parish Council are lead to believe that there is no plant in the world currently using the combination of gasifier and steam even experimentally.
Cllrs then discussed the issues connected to the water supply required for the WINBEG proposal and agreed to include a further heading for this areas.

The following inclusion was agreed.
6. Water Requirements:
The proposal indicates that 200 million litres of water will be required per year and there are no details to explain where this water will come from. Winkleigh Parish Council have yet to be advised of details of where the quantity of water required will be obtained. Should this quantity of water be taken from the mains system there will be serious implications for supply District wide. Should the water be taken from underground sources there is serious concern regarding the potential long term damage to the water table.
The Parish Council are very concerned that the storage lagoons detailed in the planning application have a limited supply and reliance on rain water carries considerable risk.
The Parish Council are very concerned about the developers intention to divert / redirect as many surface water drains from the airfield into the WINBEG site as this will lead to reduction of the existing water courses. This is of particular concern as Winkleigh Airfield is the 'head' for a number of local streams and rivers.

Draft ref 6. Risks from other fuels.
Cllrs agreed the following inclusion:
There appears to be a conflict of statements regarding the use of municipal waste as a fuel. The developers have issued a number of conflicting statements using various terminology for municipal waste. The application states that Fuel supply for Y1-6 will include cellulosic fibres which are a product of processed municipal waste. There is no evidence of where this will come from as there is no processing plant in this country and no infrastructure in the SW to handle and produce the 25,000 T required for Y1.
As there is no information as to where the cellulosic fibre will be obtained from additional traffic movements from processing site to Winkleigh are of grave concern.

Draft ref 8. Reliability of the EIA and other reports:
Cllrs agreed to include the following:
Winkleigh Parish Council and WCWP have repeatedly asked for a Fossil Fuel Trade Off Model in connection with this application without any response.

Draft ref 9. Defects in the scope of the EIA
Cllrs agreed to the following inclusions:
The Parish Council note that no Health Impact Study was carried out.
The Parish Council have asked for a new Air Quality check to be completed but this has not been done.

Draft ref 12. Maps.
Cllrs agreed the following inclusion:
Winkleigh Parish Council note that the aerial photographs used for modelling in connection with the WINBEG application are approximately 10 years old and therefore many of the current buildings on the Airfield have not been included.

Draft ref 13. Decommissioning provision:
Cllrs agreed to the following inclusion:
Winkleigh Parish Council would insist that monies are lodged with the relevant authorities to guarantee appropriate decommissioning should the need arise.
Following the Cllrs consideration of the draft document the Chairman moved into public discussion to hear the views of the public in attendance.
Public Discussion Period

Mr Kemp addressed the Council and stated that following lengthy research he would advise the Parish Council of the following:
1. Miscanthus has only been used as a fuel in combustion plants
2. There is no plant currently in this country than can process cellulosic fibre from municipal waste. He advised that there was an experimental operation at this time but that the lead time would be at least 24 months.
3. Fitcheners Consultant report 2004 "Energy from Waste" shows that if PPL plan to use cellulosic fibres in a Ferco gasifier they would not qualify for an ROC (renewable energy certificate), it would be unviable as a plant and there is some question as to if the project would be renewable at all.
4. The use of cellulosic fibres in a combustion plant can meet the WID but that gasification and pyrolysis plants have difficulty in meeting the IPPC controls. If PPL were to use the gas and 'dump' the char and by-products etc to landfill they could obtain ROC but if they use the gas for generating electricity this will not meet the IPPC as they can not clean up the gases. Mr Kemp informed the PC that new rules were introduced in 2004.

Ms Mondy addressed the PC and stated that other plants of this scale have made significant financial contributions to their communities via the Parish Council but PPL have made no such offer. Ms Mondy also advised that she had been in contact with Mr Seaman at TDC and been advised that they were currently comparing the EIA received and the EIA requested and will have finished the report at the end of next week
.
The meeting then moved back to the council meeting proper to discuss the comments from the public.
Cllrs agreed to include Mr Kemps comment (1) into Draft ref 5. Results of failure of the technology or business.
Cllrs agreed to the inclusion of Mr Kemps statement (2) into draft ref 6. Risks from other fuels with the addition of "the Parish Council understand that.." & Mr Kemps statements (3 & 4) into draft ref 7. Does this plant qualify as a producer of so-called "renewable" or "sustainable" energy ?

Cllrs further discussed the statement made by Ms Mondy regarding financial contributions to the host Parish Council. Cllr J.Turner stated that he feared that despite the Parish Council complete opposition to this application there is still concern that the application will get approval and therefore Winkleigh must ensure that the community will receive benefits should this be the case. Cllrs discussed whether this was the only opportunity to look at this as it was agreed that there would be a substantial list of requirements for the Parish but there was concern that this could lead to a distraction from the detailed opposition.
Cllrs agreed that some indication of the requirements for substantial benefits to the community should be included in the formal response.

The amended draft was then re-examined. It was proposed by Cllr Bowers that the Parish Council adopt the amended draft as Winkleigh Parish Councils formal response to TDC in respect on planning application 1/2149/2004/61/FUL. - seconded by Cllr de Louvois - 7 for 1 abstention. REFUSED

The Chairman publicly stated his great appreciation of the work carried out by a large number of local residents, noting the hours of research, report writing and meeting times etc that has lead to the Parish Council being in the position to fully respond to all the issues concerned with the WINBEG proposal. Cllr Hodgson further thanked the Chairman for preparing the draft.
It was unanimously agreed that once ratified a copy of the Parish Council's formal response to TDC would be displayed in the notice boards.

S3.12.4. Finance
Payments made at the meeting:

J.Parker (internal work at Cemetery Bungalow) £ 760.00 Cheque 1044
N.Bullen (Clerks salary + expenses December) £ 323.21 1045
MR P Skinner (guttering work) £ 11.00 1046
Mark Burrow Electrical (Cemetery bungalow) £ 551.92 1047
Community centre (hire) £ 34.40 1048

The Clerk then read two urgent reports to the Parish Council.

1. Cllrs were reminded of the TAAG meeting on 22nd Jan 2004 and asked to confirm with the Clerk if they intend to attend the meeting

2. Cllrs were advised of the proposed road closures in the village from Jan - March for South West Water. It was agreed that a notice should be placed in the notice boards.
The meeting was closed at 9.35pm