(25 February 2010) ITEM 15
EXMOOR NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY EXMOOR CONSULTATIVE AND PARISH FORUM
MINUTES of the meeting of the Exmoor Consultative and Parish Forum held on Thursday 25 February 2010 at 7.00pm in the Committee Room, Exmoor House, Dulverton. PRESENT Steven Pugsley Exmoor National Park Authority and Chairman of the Forum Arabella Amory Member with Special Knowledge Richard Andrews Natural England Marlene Allinson Cutcombe and Timberscombe Parish Councils John Bray Member with Special Knowledge Michael Clinch Exmoor Trust Alan Collins Exmoor National Park Authority Marilyn Crothers Nettlecombe Parish Council John Dyke Exmoor National Park Authority John Edwards Member with Special Knowledge Mike Ellicott Exford Parish Council Herbert Geen North Molton Parish Council John Harris Caravan Club, South West Region Suzette Hibbert Exmoor National Park Authority and Lynton & Lynmouth Town Council Joan Long Ramblers Association Frances Nicholson Exmoor National Park Authority and Somerset County Council Jim Pile Exmoor National Park Authority Fred Rawle Exmoor National Park Authority and Exton Parish Council Ian Rigby Exmoor National Park Authority and Brendon & Countisbury Parish Council Mark Ward Field Studies Council (Nettlecombe Court) Alan Weir Stogumber Parish Council Pat Williams Withypool & Hawkridge Parish Council Tom Yandle Member with Special Knowledge
Apologies for absence were received from:- Nigel Stone Chief Executive Charles Burrows Head of Corporate Services Tim Braund Head of Information and Access Services David Wyborn Head of Planning & Community John Addicott Beagles Keith Branfield Withypool & Hawkridge Parish Council Ann Clitheroe Exmoor National Park Authority Paul Cottington National Farmers Union Andrea Davis Exmoor National Park Authority Simon Derby Smiths Gore
1 (25 February 2010) Richard Edgell Exmoor National Park Authority Roger Ferrar North Devon Conservation Society Lady Gass Member with Special Knowledge Michael Hankin Exmoor Natural History Society Peter Harrison Forestry Commission Nick Holliday Exmoor National Park Authority Jeremy Holtom Badgworthy Land Co. Ann Mallalieu Member with Special Knowledge Evelyn Marsden Member with Special Knowledge Ron Morrison-Smith Member with Special Knowledge Rachael Rivett Devon Wildlife Trust Chris Roberts Confederation of Forest Industries Jeremy Roberts Member with Special Knowledge Keith Ross Member with Special Knowledge Nick Salter Forestry Commission
Guest Speaker: Martin Ross, South West Water
National Park Authority staff in attendance: Graham Wills, Head of Conservation & Land Management David Smith, Mire Restoration Project Officer Carol Carder, Member Services Officer
7. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING (1) Confirmation The Minutes of the meeting of the Forum held on 18 November 2009 were agreed and signed as a correct record. (2) Matters Arising Minute 1(2) Matters Arising The National Trust owned toilets at Heddons Mouth were currently being refurbished and it was anticipated that these facilities would re- open in approximately 6 weeks’ time. Funding support would be invited through an honesty box scheme, although the cubicle design allowed for the future introduction of a payment scheme. The National Trust’s response to the Forum’s concerns about the proposed introduction of car parking charges at the Trust’s car parks at Horner, Bossington and Allerford would be reported to the next Forum meeting. Minute 2 Future Forum Meetings As proposed at the November meeting, the Exmoor Association of Parish Councils had met immediately before the Forum. For a number of reasons, including the restriction this placed on the start time and duration of meetings, Association members indicated they would prefer not to continue with this arrangement. It was acknowledged that as part of a wider role, the Association provided Parish Councils with a stronger voice and offered an effective mechanism for the election and
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appointment of Parish Members to the National Park Authority. However, Association Members felt there was a need to clarify the respective roles of the Association and the Forum, and it was confirmed there was no intention to amalgamate the two organisations. Minute 3(2) The Exmoor Trust requested an update on Heritage Lottery Fund support The Head of Conservation & Land Management reported the successful outcome of the Exmoor Moorland Landscape Partnership’s bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund, which had achieved an offer of grant funding of £662,500. This sum represented 50% of the total cost of the proposed landscape scheme; the balance to be achieved through match funding, which was in the process of being secured. The scheme would comprise 20 separate projects covering a range of activities designed to reconnect people with their moorland heritage, to recondition the moorland landscape and to reconnect livelihoods to the moorland. Minute 6(2) Any Other Business of Urgency – Condition of Restricted Byways (formerly Roads Used as Public Paths) in Winsford Authority staff would liaise directly with Mr John Bray on action being taken in response to concerns about the condition of restricted byways in Winsford.
8. EXMOOR PEATLAND RESTORATION PROJECT The Forum received a presentation from Mr Martin Ross of South West Water. Challenges facing the water industry The water industry faced a number of challenges, including: o the effects of climate change; o major national flood events; o intermittent local storm and flood events. How the Exmoor Peatland Restoration Project would work; its aims and benefits South West Water had offered £3.8m to fund catchment restoration projects on Exmoor and Dartmoor. The Exmoor scheme was a partnership project involving South West Water, Natural England, the Environment Agency, Exmoor National Park Authority and English Heritage (as a non-funding partner). The aim of the project was to block drainage systems and peat cutting sites on the moorland to create better water retention, reduce soil erosion, improve water flow, improve water quality and benefit biodiversity. 3 (25 February 2010)
Damaged peatland areas released carbon dioxide into the atmosphere through oxidation processes. Peatland restoration halted oxidation and promoted peat growth, which in turn increased the absorption of CO2 from the atmosphere. By encouraging water retention, peak river flows would be weakened and delayed, reducing flood risks and the impact of storms further downstream. Re-wetted peat would also supplement low base flows during times of low rainfall and help to reduce erosion. The natural filtering effect of the peat would deliver cleaner raw water. Following the trial restoration of 326 hectares of peatland on Exmoor, a project review would be carried out to inform the specification of the next stage of the project, which aimed to triple the amount of re-wetting carried out so far. Forum Members were then invited to raise any questions or concerns and the discussion included the following points: Public Access Existing rights of way would remain open and the project aimed to manage and where possible improve public access to and enjoyment of the restored peatland areas. The majority of the restoration areas were on open access land, although not adjacent to public footpaths. The objective of the scheme was to achieve wet peat (not large areas of standing water), and it would therefore continue to be safe for people to roam on access land. The construction of well-planned ditch blocks could improve the condition of public footpaths, providing dry routes through currently wet and tussocky areas. Benefits to farmers/landowners Farmers/landowners received funding for moorland restoration and re- wetting through agri-environment schemes and it would be part of the role of the National Park Authority to seek to optimise the benefits of the scheme to local farming. South West Water acknowledged the benefits of the project to the water industry in terms of cost savings. It also recognised the need to develop a mechanism for placing a value on water conservation, and the improvements to water quality achieved by moorland restoration, and to ensure that farmers and landowners were properly rewarded. Continued need for grazing There remained a need to manage the restored peatland areas with grazing animals. In relation to concerns about the management and safety of livestock, it was confirmed that to date there had been no reported incidents of injury or loss of stock.
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Water supply from Exmoor Water from Exmoor supplied in excess of 500,000 customers. The supply process involved abstraction from the River Exe, to which water was released from Wimbleball Lake at times of reduced natural flows. Through peatland re-wetting, water run-off from the moorland would be slowed and the river flow in dry weather improved, allowing the River Exe to provide an enhanced natural supply. How much water would be retained? The remaining period of the project would include work to measure the amount of water retained and the improvement in its quality. Renewable Energy Use It was acknowledged that people would like to see water companies make greater use of water as a renewable energy source through hydroelectric schemes, in order to offset their own costs and in turn to reduce the cost of water supplies to customers. The use of renewable energy sources was a priority for South West Water, which currently produced 12% of its energy needs through hydroelectric schemes. The company was also exploring the potential use of other renewable energy sources, such as biofuel. How much has the project cost so far? To date, the cost of restoration works to 300 hectares of peatland was approximately £165,000, funded by South West Water, by Natural England through agri-environment schemes, and with contributions from the National Park Authority and the Environment Agency. The Chairman thanked Mr Ross for his presentation and expressed the hope that Forum Members now felt better informed about the Exmoor Peatland Restoration Project.
9. ITEMS RAISED BY FORUM MEMBERS (1) The Exmoor Trust requested an update on the progress of the Local Development Framework consultation process A briefing note setting out the progress of the ‘Your Future Exmoor’ Local Development Framework consultation events was circulated to the meeting (copy attached). Planning Officers were pleased and encouraged by the numbers of people attending and by the response to the issues and options presented. It was acknowledged that the consultation process may not be reaching those in the 18-30 age groups and it was intended to look at alternative ways to engage with this section of the local community.
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10. EMERGING ISSUES OR TOPICS FOR WIDER DEBATE (1) It was noted that a number of Forum members were described as ‘Members with Special Knowledge’ and clarification of this term was requested. The Chairman advised that this generally applied to former Secretary of State Members, appointed to the Authority to bring experience of wider issues or particular expertise (for example, environmental knowledge, tourism industry experience) and who were invited to join the Forum following the end of their appointment. It was agreed that consideration should be given to replacing this term. (2) Recent adverse weather conditions had highlighted a need for the use of temporary road signage to indicate the closure of roads that were not gritted, and which became impassable due to snow and ice. Mrs Frances Nicholson (Somerset County Councillor) advised that she was keen to address this issue and was continuing to work with the Civil Contingencies Secretariat and the Police Authority to identify a pragmatic way forward. (3) Support for tourism in the National Park. (4) The recent approval of a planning application to install a small-scale wind turbine at a property in Exford was noted and concern was expressed about the potential for approval of future, similar schemes to impact adversely on the Exmoor landscape, and as a consequence to have a detrimental affect on tourism in the National Park. It was suggested that the use of less obtrusive, communal renewable energy projects, such as hydroelectric schemes, might be explored as an alternative to the installation of wind turbines serving individual households. (5) The Head of Conservation & Land Management advised that following a lengthy Planning Inquiry, proposals for the erection and operation of large-scale wind turbines at Paul’s Moor and Bickham Moor had been refused. The proposed turbine sites were outside the National Park boundary, although close to its setting; and in reaching its decision, the Planning Inspectorate had judged that the harm to the landscape character of Exmoor would be too great. (6) It was reported that the Carbon Neutral Exmoor project (a partnership project led by Exmoor National Park Authority) had made a successful bid to the Department of Energy and Climate Change to take part in the government’s Low Carbon Communities Challenge. Funding of up to £500,000 would be available during the coming year to support community renewable energy projects in Exmoor National Park. (7) The Forum noted that ‘Energy Exmoor’ was the theme for the Exmoor Society’s forthcoming Spring Conference on 30 April 2010.
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It was agreed that the next meeting would include debate on: Support for tourism in Exmoor National Park. Exmoor National Park Authority policies in relation to the use of renewable energy sources, including clarification of its planning policy on small-scale wind turbines on Exmoor and any impact this may have on tourism.
11. DATE AND TIME OF THE NEXT MEETINGS: The following meeting dates were provisionally set: Thursday, 20 May 2010 Thursday, 9 September 2010 Thursday, 25 November 2010 (Meetings to have a 7pm start time – venues to be advised)
12. ANY OTHER BUSINESS OF URGENCY There was none. (The meeting closed at 8.40pm)
Chairman
7 Parish & Consultative Forum – Briefing Note 25/2/10
Progress with the Local Development Framework (LDF)
‘Your Future Exmoor’ - community consultation events: We are currently half way through the programme of 21 community events which runs to the end of March. The events have been widely publicised through articles in parish magazines, press releases, leaflets, posters and postcard reminders sent to every household in the National Park before their event. Details and information are also available on our website. We have been pleased and encouraged by the number of people attending these events and making their views known through a variety of ways. People have responded well to the issues and options presented, which were shaped by the stakeholder events held in December 2008.
Porlock Event – 8th February
The events have also been well attended by National Park members, district councillors and parish councillors. The Rural Housing Project team, staff from the district councils and police have also been present at some of the events. Local schools have also been attending the events and children have been able to view the work they completed through the programme of youth consultation that has been undertaken by Poie Li. Young people from all the primary and first schools in the National Park have been involved in telling us what is important to them about where they live. Further workshops have been held with Dulverton Middle School, West Somerset Community College, Ilfracombe College and North Devon College. Feedback reports will be produced for each parish after the events – these will give the community, including people who could not attend their event, an opportunity to see the results of the consultation and to make any further comments. We will also be providing stakeholder organisations with an opportunity to respond to the issues and options.
Next Steps:
Topic Group Discussions: A number of topic group discussions will be held to explore some particular issues in further detail. We will be inviting stakeholder organisations to attend these discussions, and we are also providing an opportunity for interested members of the public to take part by asking people at community events if they wish to be involved.
Preferred Strategy Stage: Following this period of intensive evidence gathering we will be producing a ‘preferred strategy’ or draft document which we will be consulting widely on next year. This will be a Core Strategy which sets out the broad, over-arching policies for development and land use within the National Park – combined with some more detailed development policies. The preferred strategy consultation will then inform the final document which we will be formally consulting on before publication.
Further Information and Contact Details: www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk/your_future_exmoor.htm
Policy & Community Team: Tel: 01398 323665 E-mail: [email protected]