Decision details

Arising from a report of the Head of Planning and Regeneration, the Scrutiny Committee had recommended that:

a)     A request be made to the Environment Agency for the opportunity for MDDC to feed into the environmental permitting regime and that a copy of the approved permit be given to this authority.

b)  Where enforcement issues were raised with an AD plant, that related to more than one agency, coordination take place between relevant agencies and that MDDC take a lead role in that coordination.

c)            a review of the scope of planning conditions to control AD plants be undertaken in order to develop best practice for future applications.

The Head of Planning and Regeneration informed the meeting that the issue of anaerobic digesters in Mid Devon had been driven by the concerns of a local community and consideration had taken place by the Scrutiny Committee as to how their concerns may be addressed by multi-agencies working together.  The Planning Service was currently seeking to clarify the scope of enforcement control in relation to AD scheme parameters and conditions as a result of issues raised by complainants and objectors.

Discussion took place regarding the need for multi-agencies to work together to share information.

RESOLVED that the recommendation of the Scrutiny Committee be approved.

(Proposed by Cllr R J Chesterton and seconded by Cllr R L Stanley)

Note:  *Report previously circulated copy attached to minutes.