To receive any questions relating to items on the agenda from the public and replies thereto.
Minutes:
Vicky Pugh – with regard to Item 7 on the agenda
I’d like to start by thanking the Committee for its support since 2020 regarding the planning application at Tidcombe Hall.
My question relates to the Public Inquiry in May instigated by the applicant’s appeal. Committee Members will be aware that public opposition to the development remains strong.
The fundamentals of why this should not proceed are unchanged; they are the reasons planning permission was refused. Firstly, that the proposal is outside the settlement limits that are core to the Mid Devon Local Plan and that it fails to adhere to a number of planning policies.
Secondly, that Mid Devon aims to show that they can deliver evidence to support a 5 year housing supply.
And thirdly, and most relevant to GWC JAC, how the development would bring harm to the environment of the Grand Western Canal and change for worse the experience of canal users. This includes the impact on Mid Devon’s iconic heritage asset and major tourist attraction, the horse-drawn canal barge and the consequences for the area if it were to close.
Given that these are the 3 criteria that will be central to the Public Inquiry, can I please ask this Committee to respond to the following question:
Q:- Will the Committee agree at this meeting that the best way that the Grand Western Canal Joint Advisory Committee (GWC JAC) can oppose this appeal is by making a representation at the Inquiry that focuses strongly on the specific areas that the Planning Inspector will be considering in deciding whether 100 houses are to be built at Tidcombe?
With this in mind, will the Committee make a commitment today to ensure that, at the Inquiry, the GWC JAC representation gives weight to and stresses the serious potential impact on the following:
1) “the character,
2) the appearance,
3) the setting
4) and the significance of the Grand Western Canal”.
A:- The Chair explained that Cllr A Pilgrim had made a submission to the Inquiry with objections that followed along the lines outlined in the issues above and that she had the Committee’s commitment.
Cllr A Pilgrim confirmed a submission had been made which had been noted by the Inquiry with an invitation to speak to it. He explained he was unable to attend the Inquiry on the first day and hoped that another Committee Member would be able to attend instead to ensure that the points raised above would be emphasised.
Vicky Pugh
Those of us that have put in written submissions have done so as an initial document. At the Inquiry further detailed presentations would be made with targeted details given on the day. There was not a need to stick to what has been drafted and submitted as there was an opportunity to bring up additional points, to do more and to go further.
The Chair also confirmed that he had submitted his objection as a County Councillor.
Goff Welchman- with regard to Item 7 on the agenda
Q:- I no longer need to ask my first question as that
is now answered on the Mid Devon District Council (MDDC) website,
where we can all see your initial excellent objection. I do however
need to ask, if your objection and request to speak at the enquiry
were submitted by the 20 February deadline, as the website shows 27
February.
A:- The Chair confirmed that the submission was given on time and had been acknowledged.
Q:-
Will any Member be speaking at the Public Inquiry as an interested
party? If so, may we know the detail of
what will be said, in order to avoid duplication with other
speakers? My intention in asking this
question is to ensure we all present a coherent front at the
enquiry, with minimum duplication, and no
contradictions. May I suggest that on
this point you answer me either privately, off the record, after
this meeting is closed, or in a confidential email before the
enquiry takes place?
A:- The Chair confirmed that the Committee would provide a written answer to Goff Welchman nearer the time.
Cllr Sophia Beard- with regard to Item 7 on the agenda which the Chair read out on her behalf
Q:- I would like to raise an observation regarding the absence of any mention of plans to strengthen the relationship between the canal and the town centre.
A:- Mark Baker, Country Park Manager - As managers of Grand Western Canal Country Park, we (the Canal Ranger Service) believe the canal and the businesses and facilities offered within the Country Park have a very positive role in generating footfall and business for Tiverton, including for the town centre and we believe this view is shared by stakeholders on the Joint Advisory Committee. The Canal, and associated facilities offer a unique selling point for Tiverton and Mid Devon, attracting many overnight tourists and day trippers to the town. This has multiplier effects throughout the local economy.
We also recognise that more can be done to acknowledge and improve on this important relationship. As an example, we recently liaised with Mid Devon District Council to install new finger posts in the Canal Basin and the Canal Hill car park which direct visitors towards the town centre and its facilities and businesses. We have also engaged with the model Tivvy Bumper and Swan Trails that have taken place within the town in recent years, encouraging greater links between the canal and the town centre; and we also developed an excellent working relationship with the Town Centre Manager whilst planning the celebrations for the 50th anniversary of the horse-drawn barge last year – which in itself drew visitors down to the town.
Q:- Could you kindly outline what plans you have in place to foster this relationship moving forward?
A:- Mark Baker, Country Park Manager - We are open to suggestions and initiatives that support and encourage flow between the canal and town centre. The importance of this relationship is currently being reviewed as part of updating the Country Park Management Plan. A possible new / additional initiative could be to work jointly with the Tiverton Town Council or Mid Devon District Council to secure additional, alternative funding to develop new media such as a short film or a text and photo summary showcasing the town centre, which could then be accommodated on the touchscreen system within the Canal Visitor Centre. At a simpler level, there is also the potential for a permanent A4 poster about the town centre in the Canal Basin noticeboard.
Q:- Additionally, could you provide a detailed breakdown of how the Town Council’s grant funding will be allocated in the forthcoming financial year to achieve this aim?
A:- Mark Baker, Country Park Manager - Our understanding is that the additional Tiverton Town Council funding is being provided to “enhance the running and safety matters on and around the canal". The funding will therefore be prioritised towards maintenance activities and safety improvements in the section of the Country Park within Tiverton Town parish (i.e. from the Canal Basin to Manley Bridge). This is important in helping to retain Green Flag Award status (the quality standard for parks and green spaces), and optimising the value of the canal to local residents and visitors alike as a recreational green space (which is also of high importance for wildlife, heritage and landscape). Works and projects we currently have in mind which this funding could contribute towards include:
· Resurfacing the towpath between Tidcombe Bridge and Snakes Wood
· Replacing the two circular picnic benches beside the Visitor Centre (both date from 2012 and are at the end of their serviceable life)
· Repairs to the public landing stage in the Canal Basin
· Repairs to the limekiln walls
· Repairs to the play park in the Canal Basin, include replacement of a damaged panel within the play boat
· General maintenance of the Canal Basin as a high-use ‘honeypot’ site
Q:- In light of these efforts, I would also appreciate clarification on whether there are plans to engage with local traders, either through the Town Council or the Town Centre Partnership, to ensure that their input and support are taken into account.
A:- Mark Baker, Country Park Manager - We have well-established connections with MDDC Economic Development Team and representatives from Tiverton Town Councillors. The Canal’s Joint Advisory Committee provides strategic guidance on the management of the canal and there are opportunities to engage either through attending meetings or through Town Councillors raising agenda items. Representation from traders close to the canal are included as part of the Committee and we would be happy to support opportunities to build on this relationship e.g., providing information to enable improved communications between interested businesses.
Q:- Furthermore, could you provide details on how the impact of the plans funded by this grant will be measured? It is essential to understand the criteria and mechanisms in place to evaluate success.
A:- Mark Baker, Country Park Manager - The practical works outlined above are relatively straightforward to assess (e.g. as direct outputs). Overall success (outputs and outcomes) is monitored and reported through the Joint Advisory Committee (which includes Tiverton Town Council), and Tiverton Town Council are provided with a summary report as /when funding contributions are drawn down. External assessment is important, with the Green Flag Award process providing a useful measure.
Q:- Finally, will there be a guarantee that the funds are ring-fenced for the specific purpose outlined by Councillor Kennedy, namely, the additional funding was specifically requested for this particular initiative? This is a crucial point to ensure that the funds are used in accordance with their intended objectives.
A:- Mark Baker, Country Park Manager - The additional funding will be spent to “enhance the running and safety matters on and around the canal". Furthermore, we undertake to target this funding on the section of the canal within the Tiverton Town parish boundary.
The Chair explained to the Committee that Tiverton Town Council had increased the budget of the existing annual grant of £4,000 by an additional £6,000 and expressed his thanks to the Town Council.
Paul Elstone – with regard to item 11 on the agenda
I wish to bring to the attention of this Committee that the owner and operator of the Red Linhay Anaerobic Digester located at Crownhill, Halberton has submitted a planning application that if approved by Mid Devon District Council would allow the operation of the anaerobic digester without limitations.
An application that would allow the applicant to more than double the power generation output over what the current consent permits.
Also wanting to operate with no constraints on feedstock tonnages or locations also digestate spreading locations. Resulting in no limitations on tractor movements or the routes that tractors could take.
In making the application, the Red Linhay operator has effectively declared that he has been doing exactly as he is now requesting. That since 2019 that he has been in breach of all related planning conditions.
Red Linhay is an industrial sized facility it is clearly not just a farm. It most certainly is not anything like as green as the applicant attempts to project.
Traffic movements with tens of thousands of miles being travelled and with tractors burning around 1 litre of diesel for every mile. Time prevents me from providing the full justification to this statement.
In blatantly and seriously breaching the planning conditions the operator continues to create excess noise, vibration, odour and traffic movements, including increasing road safety risk. This impacting on the local and not so local community
It is causing harm to the Grand Western Canal amenity, something
which this committee understands much better than me with
regards to its impacts.
Using the applicant’s own data it shows on one day 163 weighbridge tickets were issued. This equating to one tractor either arriving or leaving Red Linhay every 2 minutes 20 seconds over a 12-hour working day. This involving 13 different tractors which could have been on the road at the same time.
It is known that the tractor movements, up to 200 per day, impact
on Blundells School with its over 3000
pupil road crossings a day, something the current planning
conditions should prevent.
Also Braid Park, Manley Lane, Warnicombe, Canal Hill, Halberton, Sampford Peverell, Willand, Cullompton, Bickleigh, Thorverton, Crediton, Copplestone, Holcombe Rogus and as far away as Bow, Wimple and Wellington all being impacted.
Q:- Will this Committee debate this application and then hopefully agree to prepare a very robust and detailed objection?
This will be the final opportunity it seems to stop this longstanding abuse. Enough is enough.
A:- Cllr A Pilgrim - This was a tricky application as the history of the Red Linhay site was one of non-compliance with conditions. I am aware of the problems it causes with noise, smell and pollution as well as the huge amount of traffic. A more drastic response was required and I have a few ideas in my mind.
The Chair explained that a written response would be given within 10 working days.
Paul Elstone confirmed that a written response was not required as he had confidence that this was being considered by this Committee.