Dunton Bassett Parish Council Page 2

Minutes of the Extraordinary meeting of the Council held in the Village Hall on 2 nd September 2017 Present: Councillors: A Mofford (Chair), S Glover, C Hurford, L Kennedy , K Thrower, K Boden, N Bannister

In attendance: Mrs H Denton-Stacey (Clerk to the Council) and 37 members of the public.

17-60 Apologies for absence: None

17-61 Declarations of Interest and requests for dispensations: None.

17-64 Planning Applications and Decisions for Consideration: 16/00245/FUL two livestock buildings on land at Slip Inn Quarry, Leicester Road

17-65 Meeting open to the public Mrs Carlise gave an overview of the planning application and asked who had been informed of the application by HDC following past objections, 2 parishioners confirmed they had been informed. Mrs Jones raised concerns that if land had been grassed for more than 15 years then an assessment needs to be completed by the Environmental department. Mrs Carlise expressed concern on the threats to watercourses and possibly the footpaths as these had been dug up recently. Mrs Townsend advised that there are newts, tawny owls and other species on site that need the environment to survive, she has issues with slurry being deposited on site. Mr Hurford advised the planning application stated straw floors and these will be provided and disposed of by local farmers. Bridget Hunt advised that local farmers had not been informed of the application. Mrs Carlise felt that archelogy digs were needed and had concerns of a property being built on site for the staff that is stated as one person on site 24/7 although the plans make no mention of a property. She feels that the smell and odour will be an issue to residents. The traffic report was based on 2000 pigs however the application states 4000 She feels highways have not taken into account the extra traffic from the new developments or this application. She is worried that there will be a change of use later down the timeline and would it be a precursor for the previous application for the anaerobic digester. The village are aware of current enforcement notices on the applicant’s other farms. Mrs Carlise feels that there is a need to protect the village and the environment and that the villagers should attend the meeting at HDC on Tuesday to voice their concerns. Mr Goodacre of Ashby Parva confirmed he would be attending. Mrs Hunt has contacted Cemex planning department and enquired about the access, she advised that Cemex knew nothing about the application. Cllr Moffard advised that Hannah had now left Cemex and was advised that they are putting the land back to farming use. Cllr Bannister has looked at the agenda and report for Tuesday’s meeting he advised that the planning officer had recommended to approve the application. He feels that the environmental department should properly test and report the application. He is disappointed no testing has taken place and will be making this point to the committee, he feels that the environmental officer should visit other similar sites to look at effect, he will recommend to carry out more tests in order for the planners to make an informed decision. He would like to see assurance given on the findings of slurry disposal, water surface management and archelogy. Mr Fuchs raised concerns on the odour and if it was a great level how would HDC deal with it? Would they be able to enforce anything? Cllr Bannister advised they will investigate odour then talk to applicant and this could be a long process. Mrs Cherish stated they had experienced silage spillage in the stream next to their property, they feel they should have been informed of the application but have not. Mrs Carlise raised concerns that the applicant would close the Moorbarns Lane farm and move to the quarry. Mr Godfrey advised his main concern was the smell as he has experienced the smell of the pig farm at Moorbarns Lane and it is not pleasant on hot days. Ms Thomson asked if it not possible to make conditions prior to granting the application? Cllr Bannister advised a Page 1

Dunton Bassett Parish Council Page 2

condition could not be placed on the smell as this was unmeasurable and there would be no viability on environmental inspections, conditions could be placed on other aspects and could be enforced upon. One parishioner commented that the Clickers way developments have had numerous issues because of newts found on site, he feels the planners should look into newts at slip inn as these are important factors. One parishioner commented that the environmental report states that a permit is required, but the applicant states a permit is not required as there are only 2000 weaners, she feels this needs checking. Mr Cummins stated that in all of the discussions there was a lot of talk about pollution but no quantities have been mentioned. He states that by washing the waste away this will affect the soil conditions, he feels the quantity of muck is a great issue as this may not always be taken away. Correspondence received by Mr Ensor states that as a resident for 40 years and as a local builder collected sand and gravel from the quarry, he has seen dozens of 45-gallon drums that have been tipped, a lot of which bore skull and crossbones signs or just poison written on them, these drums were openly exposed, 25 years later and the drums are still there, he feels that this is leaching toxins and his main concern is that people may be eating a food product reared on very contaminated ground. Cllr Mofford is concerned that not all aspects are being looked into and the effects this will have. He feels that HDC are not looking into conditions that could be put into place to alleviate some of these concerns, he stated that the PC had looked into the application in May 2016 and raised a number of objections, he feels that HDC has not taken these objections into consideration while recommending to approve. He asked the public to attend and represent the village at the meeting. Cllr Kennedy feels there are so many unanswered questions and feels a deferment of the application would be the best option. Cllr Bannister is in agreement. The Pc would prefer for the application to be deferred until the questions and concerns are answered. Cllr Kennedy feels that there is not enough manpower at HDC to ensure that conditions are created and met. Cllr Thrower is concerned that no notice was provided to the PC by HDC. Cllr Hurford has written and emailed objections and has received no response.

Resolved: The PC will be in attendance at the meeting to raise the concerns that they have along with the residents.

17-77 The meeting closed at 12.05 pm.

______Chairman

______Date

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