To receive any questions relating to items on the Agenda from members of the public and replies thereto.
Note: A maximum of 30 minutes is allowed for this item.
Minutes:
Mr Sanderson referring to Item 11 (Tollgate Farm) on the agenda raised concern about the explosion of AD plants in the area. Is the Committee aware that as well as the outstanding 3 poultry units at Tollgate and Gibbet Moor there is permission granted for poultry units at Menchine and Edgeworthy, which are all in close proximity and will have a cumulative effect as well as an increase in HGV movement together with traffic movement at Menchine, which will have an immediate impact on local residents.
Miss Coffin referring to Item 11 (Tollgate Farm) on the agenda asked whether Councillors were aware of the many disease and health hazards to both humans and other livestock associated with chicken manure (especially industrial factory farmed chickens). We ask if the Council has considered the full cumulative effect of this and all the recent chicken farm applications already granted or under review as well as the already existing chicken farms within a geographical radius. Has full and thorough consideration been given to the potential consequential effect on the local and wider environment, tourism and other farmers livelihoods as well as direct and associated potential loss of existing employment. Surely it is a question of balance, where is the gain in creating a few jobs at the expense of many more?
We therefore ask that should you decide in favour of this application you condition that a proper waste management plan be determined and adhered to, this should include:
· A specified alternative AD site to take the waste in the event of any non-operational periods at Menchine farm and in view of any potential commercial changes to either business.
· We also ask for an undertaking from the applicant (whom we understand to be a global multinational company with their own environmental policy) that the waste from the industrial chicken houses will not be stored as compost on any unlicensed agricultural land that does not hold the required compost licence.
· Contingency plan in the event of any notifiable animal disease outbreak and the consequential movement restrictions which includes the waste?
Mr Steele representing Dr Bell and referring to item 14 on the agenda (TIVERTON Eastern Urban Extension - junction of new highway junction to A361)stated:I refer to item 14 on your agenda concerning Mrs Clifford’s note to the Committee about resident’s revision to the design and construction of the new left-in, left out junction with the A361.
We question Mrs Clifford’s claim in the conclusion of her note that our revisions to the scheme are undeliverable. We also question a number of the statements in her note to you.
The aim of our presentation to be given by Mr Dennis Cook today is to challenge Mrs Clifford’s conclusion and to ask you, once again, to support existing and future residents’ right to have their health and well-being protected in the most practical and effective way for the next 100+ years over and abovemodest financial considerations.
The LILO is the more significant section of the whole cloverleaf junction that will adversely affect the lives of generations of the residents who will be exposed to the traffic-related pollutions arising from its use.
Devon County Council Highways Department and Mid Devon District Council Planning Department have sought to put a price of £3 million and a little time on the health and well-being of these generations of local residents. This has to be an unacceptable reason for denying residents a more acceptable and effective junction layout and construction for securing a healthier environment for generations to come rather than the one they currently face.
We know you have the will to support us, please help us to the way to see our scheme delivered.
We ask you please, through this meeting, to provide your support for continuing to secure our health over cash solution for now and the future.