Ilfracombe Arts College

Feedback Report

Event held on: 25.01.10

This report sets out the views that were expressed at the ‘Your Future Exmoor’ event for your college and is also available to view on our website. www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk/your_future_exmoor.htm

If you have any views on this report please let us know by filling in the comments sheet at the end of the report and sending it to: Policy and Community Team Exmoor National Park Authority Exmoor House Dulverton Somerset TA22 9HL Or email your comments to: [email protected] BY FRIDAY 23rd JULY

At the end of this report there is also a form where, if you wish, you can provide your contact details to be notified of future consultations as the plan progresses, including Topic Group discussions.

Your Future Exmoor Event Feedback Report

Introduction

The Ilfracombe College, ‘Your Future Exmoor’ Event was held on the 25th January 2010 at Ilfracombe Arts College in Ilfracombe. The event was organised by the Exmoor National Park Authority as part of the preparation of the Exmoor National Park Local Development Framework which is replacing the Local Plan. The event provided the opportunity for college students to have a say in the planning of their community and the National Park as a whole. We would like to acknowledge the valuable input from students and we appreciate the representations that were made by those who attended the event.

This report summarises what was said at the event. We would like you (whether you attended the event or not) to let us know your views on the issues, options and comments contained in this feedback report.

Attendance The event was attended by 10 people who go to Ilfracombe Arts College. The students were aged between 16-18 years old and came from the surrounding towns and villages including Ilfracombe, Kentisbury, West Down, Berrynabor and Combe Martin.

Your Future Exmoor Consultation

A presentation was given to introduce the workshop to the students. The students were then split into groups to decide what they thought the most important topics were in Exmoor. Depending on which topics they prioritised they were then given worksheets to discuss the issues within their chosen topics.

3 What You Said

Overall Response

Topics listed in order of importance to Ilfracombe College students:

1. Natural Environment. 2. Climate Change and Natural Resources. 3. Economy and Employment. 4. Settlements. 5. Cultural Environment. 6. Transport and Infrastructure. 7. Housing.

KEY FINDINGS

The key findings for the chosen two top topics discussed are set out below.

Natural Environment

 People were happy to see more wind turbines.  There was agreement with Exmoor National Park Authority’s current approach to protect, improve and increase existing wildlife sites; and to avoid harm to wildlife habitats.  Support was shown for the current approach to only allow for development in existing settlements on the coast.

Climate Change & Natural Resources

 People agreed with the following: o encouraging the use of sustainable construction methods for new buildings and existing buildings; o ensuring development is close to existing services; o maximising the potential for ‘carbon sinks’; o requiring an audit/ evaluation for new development; o ensuring renewable technologies and additional infrastructure does not harm the National Park; o encouraging the use of sustainable drainage systems; o improving the understanding of the likely effects of climate change on Exmoor’s coast; and o re-using existing buildings to reduce the need for new materials.

 The most popular renewable technology energies were community-scale wind turbines and farm-scale anaerobic digesters.

Preparing a New Plan for Exmoor

SCOPING ISSUES & OPTIONS (DEC 2008 – JAN 2009)

YOUTH CONSULTATION AUTUMN 2009

21 COMMUNITY PARKLIFE ISSUES & EVENTS RESIDENTS (JAN – MAR 2010) QUESTIONNAIRE OPTIONS STAKEHOLDER NOV 2009 EVENT (MAY 2010) ONGOING TOPIC GROUP VISITOR CONSULTATION QUESTIONNAIRE 2009 - 2010 DISCUSSIONS (AUTUMN 2010) 2009 - 2010

NATIONAL PARK MANAGEMENT NATIONAL PLAN REGIONAL & LOCAL DRAFT SUSTAINABLE PLAN COMMUNITY Plans, policies STRATEGIES and programmes

CONSULTATION SUSTAINABILITY 2011 APPRAISAL

RESPONSES PUBLISH TO THE REVISED FORMAL PLAN CONSULTATION

CONSULTATION 2012

5 EXAMINATION AND ADOPTION OF THE PLAN - 2013

6 WHATS ALREADY TAKEN PLACE

A series of three workshops with representatives of stakeholder organisations were held during December 2008 and January 2009 at Lynton, Dunster and Dulverton. These events aimed to scope the range of issues facing the National Park in terms of land use and development and find options to address them. The outcomes helped to develop the issues, options and questions which were displayed at the Your Future Exmoor events.

Following the Your Future Exmoor events there was a similar event for stakeholder organisations in May 2010 which provided them with an opportunity to respond to the issues and options.

WHAT NEXT?

A number of topic group discussions will be held during the autumn to explore some particular issues in further detail. We will be inviting representatives of stakeholder organisations and interested members of the public to attend these discussions.

All the information provided through the community and stakeholder events, youth consultations, and questionnaires will help us to produce a draft plan and we will be consulting widely on this document next year. We will continue to invite views from local communities which will help us to progress the plan and shape the future of the National Park.

The plan will set out the broad, over-arching policies for development and land use within the National Park – combined with some more detailed development management policies. The consultation responses will then inform a revised plan which will be formally consulted on before publication.

The plan will then be examined by an independent Inspector, and if it is found to be sound, it can then be formally adopted by the Authority.

NATURAL ENVIRONMENT NATURAL ENVIRONMENT What do we want to achieve?  Ensure that the landscape and wildlife is conserved and enhanced to meet National Park purposes and recognise the value of the environment to Exmoor’s communities  Promote the National Park as a place that continues to offer a sense of tranquillity

ISSUE 1: How to manage the impact of “man-made” structures on the Exmoor landscape?

Questions Happy to see Man-made structures About right Too many more Main roads, car parks, road signs and infrastructure 9 0 1 Electricity pylons/poles 7 3 0 Overhead wires 7 3 0 Mobile phone masts 3 0 5 Static caravan sites 0 3 7 Touring caravan sites 2 5 3 Wind turbines 0 0 10 Your suggestions….  Like to see more public transport.  Alternative means of electricity, infrastructure/ telecommunications.  Static V touring caravanning- existing tourist infrastructure other than replacing or building more.  Hydroelectric power.  Dam Watersmeet?  Pylons underground.  Prison.

To protect the landscape, current policy allows new small campsites for tents and the conversion of traditional buildings to camping barns. New static or touring caravan sites are not permitted. Do you have any comments on this approach?

 Expand existing caravan sites.  Traditional buildings should NOT be converted to camping barns.  National Park is to protect old buildings (hypercritical).  Caravan sites should be permitted but carefully planned and managed.  Build pylons underground.  Underground prison/young offenders camp. 8 NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

ISSUE 2: How to keep Exmoor wild, tranquil and remote and protect its ‘dark sky’

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Currently we control the design and amount of external lighting in new developments to minimise light pollution. Are there any other ways to control light or noise pollution on Exmoor?

 Light bulbs which are not very bright.  New developments have to have restrictions e.g. noise proof walls etc (1 x agree).  Black out curtains (2 x agree).  Community decibel (d) level restrictions.  Street lighting management including looking at times of use, number of street lights and their brightness.  More with the times.

ISSUE 3: How to conserve Exmoor’s important wildlife and allow it to adapt to climate change?

Are there any wildlife/habitats that you think need more protection?

 River environments – protection of river beds for snipes.  Coastal environments – saltmarshes, mudflats, wildlife.  Managed retreat could effect marine habitats.  Exmoor ponies (endangered only 2000 in the world) they need protecting.  The environment/food source needs protecting.  Stop ponies getting run over somehow (pony bridges? Pony bus? Lollypop ladies for ponies?) or speed bumps.

Please indicate Please indicate OPTIONS: the option(s) you the option(s) you Comments agree with disagree with a) As now, protect,  Development in anyway improve and increase 10 0 that’s not harming the existing wildlife sites environment. b) Extend and link  Help the people of the existing wildlife areas local community. specifically to enable  Is it good to encourage wildlife to adapt to 5 5 tourism? climate change (advantages/disadvanta ges to this?) c) As now, avoid harm  Animals move with the to wildlife habitats or if times. the importance of the development overrides the harm, ensure it is 10 0 minimised and compensation is provided

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ISSUE 4: How to conserve the unspoilt character of Exmoor’s coast?

Please indicate Please indicate OPTIONS: the option(s) you the option(s) you Comments agree with disagree with As now, on the  In or around for the coast, only allow for benefit of the actual place development in e.g. small wind farm existing settlements outside settlement or (apart from some 10 0 wave energy near the essential agricultural coast (coastal protection). and forestry development in  Agree with renewable the open countryside) energy on the coast but Resist harmful not cabling. development on the  No point making any coast needed by more- settlements structures out at sea expand. e.g. electricity 5 5  Sub stations out of view. cabling/substations from marine renewable energy schemes

What other aspects of the coast should be protected?

 Protected from erosion, land therefore habitats etc  Minimise sea erosion/ cliff erosion.  Beaches – LSD (longshore drift).

Please tell us whether we should be concerned about development off Exmoor’s coast? E.g. renewable energy schemes

 No.  No as long as it does not spread onto Exmoor NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard).

GENERAL COMMENTS ON THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT Do you have any further comments on this topic?

 It is important but do not go over the top.

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CLIMATE CHANGE & NATURAL RESOURCES What do we want to achieve?  Ensure climate change is a consideration in everything we do  Minimise carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions to help Exmoor be carbon-neutral by 2025  Maximise Exmoor’s potential for appropriate renewable energy generation

ISSUE 1: How to achieve the National Park Management Plan

target for the National Park to be ‘Carbon Neutral’ by 2025*?

*Exmoor National Park Management Plan target (page 48) Global Warming & Climate Change Climate change is also Climate Change probably represents the greatest affecting weather patterns environmental threat facing Exmoor today. Global which on Exmoor is likely to warming is caused by the burning of fossil fuels such as result in: oil, coal and natural gas which releases additional greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, causing  more extreme weather more heat to be trapped in the Earth’s atmosphere and a  increased storminess number of changes in the environment: (strong winds and intense  melting ice-caps periods of rainfall)  warming oceans changing where plants and  drier, hotter summers animals can live  milder, wetter winters

Please indicate Please indicate OPTIONS: the option(s) the option(s) you you agree with disagree with a) Encourage the use of sustainable construction methods for new buildings e.g. taking into account energy efficiency in siting, layout, design and 10 0 materials b) Encourage the use of sustainable construction methods (as above) for existing buildings - re- using buildings uses less energy than new 10 0 building c) Minimise energy use from vehicles by reducing the need to travel by: • As now, providing housing for local communities • As now, encouraging home working 5 5 • As now, retaining services in communities • Encouraging local resources, materials and products e.g. timber/fuel and food d) As now, ensure development is close to existing services: • Direct development to settlements 10 0 • Direct conversions of existing buildings to settlements, farmsteads or hamlets

12 e) Maximise the potential for ‘carbon sinks’ (tree planting and moorland/mire restoration) to reduce greenhouse gases and flood risk 10 0 Carbon Sink Comments

 Solar roofing, renewable energy from wind, bike, treadmill (water).  Insulation so that there is no waste.  Self sufficiency (veg and fruit).  Local produce- food and economy.  Local building contractors.  Cultural sustainability.  Making old buildings environmentally friendly.  Renewable materials.  Car sharing in communities.  Sustainability = Good.  No more housing, impractical.

A Carbon Sink is a store that can absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The most common forms of carbon sink are forests - as trees and plants absorb carbon dioxide (as do peat bogs). The carbon is used for plant growth and therefore long-lived plants such as trees will, therefore, act as carbon sinks for a lengthy period. The Exmoor Mire Project ‘re-wets’ and restores areas of blanket bog which promote peat growth. There are some 10 million tonnes of peat on Exmoor, storing around 1 million tonnes of carbon. Increasing blanket bog, also reduces flood risk by slowing water run off from moorland.

ISSUE 2: How to reduce the dependency of Exmoor’s

communities and visitors on fossil fuels for most of their electricity and heat generation?

Please Please indicate the indicate the OPTIONS: Comments option(s) you option(s) you agree with disagree with a) Require an audit/ evaluation for  Direct towards new development which shows: young people- • how it can minimise energy use integration, • options for renewable technologies education. • the potential for reducing 10 0  Any ways to greenhouse gas reduce energy while conserving Exmoor’s use we should character

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Please Please indicate the indicate the OPTIONS: Comments option(s) you option(s) you agree with disagree with take advantage b) Ensure renewable technologies of. and the additional infrastructure required such as power lines to 10 0 turbines (including at sea) do not harm the National Park

(i) Please indicate which renewable energy technology you think is appropriate on Exmoor, and at what scale. Scale Renewable Micro-scale e.g. Farm-scale e.g. Community-scale Technologies individual groups of buildings e.g. settlements properties Hydro (water power) 5 0 5 Wind Turbines 0 0 10 Solar/Photovoltaics 5 0 5 Biomass including wood fuel 5 5 0 Anaerobic digesters 0 10 0 Ground source heat pumps 5 0 0 Air source heat pumps 0 0 5 Combined heat and power 0 5 5 Other (please state what) Comment

No comments were Made

Yes No Do you think we THIS QUESTION WAS NOT should consider any ASKED AT THE ILFRACOMBE large commercial COLLEGE EVENT – IT WAS scale wind turbines SUBSEQUENTLY ADDED. in Exmoor National - - Park e.g. as large as IF YOU HAVE ANY 50 metres high, to COMMENTS ON THIS help reduce carbon QUESTION PLEASE LET US emissions? KNOW.

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Renewable Energy: Hydro - electricity generated by the movement of water (i.e. lakes, reservoirs, rivers & streams). Photovoltaics - panels made of materials which generate electricity when exposed to light. Biomass - material produced by plants/organic matter such as: elephant grass; straw; wood and manure. Anaerobic digester - a treatment which composts waste such as food, garden waste, paper or animal manure to produce a biogas used to generate electricity, heat or vehicle fuel. Combined Heat and Power (CHP) - a single highly efficient process which produces both heat and electricity from a fuel.

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ISSUE 3: How to adapt to changing weather patterns including

more extreme weather caused by climate change such as:  increased storminess  drier, hotter summers

 milder, wetter winters

Please Please indicate the indicate the OPTIONS: Comments  milder, wetter winters option(s) you option(s) you agree with disagree with a) Locating, adapting and designing new development to cope with the effects of more 9 0  Cost!! extreme weather  Garden tub b) Ensuring development is collection. located outside existing or future 5 5  Water Butts. flood risk areas (coast and rivers)  Keep population Water Management down (moves with c) Encouraging the use of “grey the times). water” recycling 2 6  Disagree with grey Water Management water recycling d) Encouraging the use of (disgusting: enough sustainable drainage systems water already). and porous surfacing in new 10 0 development Water Management

Water Management Rainwater Harvesting: Rainwater can be used for toilets, washing machines and watering gardens. Whether the amount harvested, particularly from domestic roofs, will meet the demand and justify installation costs depends on the size of roof areas. Greywater Recycling Systems generally collect and treat wastewater from showers, baths and wash basins and re-use it where drinking water quality is not required. This recycled water can be used to flush toilets, water gardens and for washing machines. Greywater recycling systems can be installed in new or existing buildings and have the potential to meet a large proportion of household water needs. Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) such as green roofs, rainwater harvesting, soakaways and permeable paving are ways of managing rainwater helping reduce surface water runoff and reducing local flooding. Wetlands can also be established to absorb surface water runoff and, alongside green roofs, greenspaces and gardens can create wildlife habitats. environment-agency.gov.uk

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Climate Change and Passive Building Design Buildings can be designed to cope with some of the potential impacts of climate change and help reduce carbon emissions by making the best use of natural forms of heating and ventilation from the sun and wind.  orientating buildings to maximise passive solar heating and lighting  maximising natural ventilation in buildings through passive air conditioning systems (not mechanised)  Planting larger canopy deciduous trees to provide shade for buildings in the summer and allow solar gain in the winter

ISSUE 4: How to plan for the effects of climate change and sea level rise on the coast?

Sea Level Rise & Flood Risk Please Please indicate the indicate the OPTIONS: Comments option(s) you option(s) you agree with disagree with a) Improve understanding of the likely effects of climate change on 10 0 Exmoor’s coast by joint research  You cannot predict and planning for areas at risk the future.  Protection b) Do not allow any development development. in areas at risk of coastal change 2 7  Wildlife sanctuaries.  Teamwork= good. c) Allow temporary business  Try to preserve old uses coastal settlements. (recreation/tourism) in areas currently in use but at risk of 8 1 future flooding/coastal change (to enable use of the land and support the local economy)

Sea Level Rise: Central Government Flood Risk: Central Government advises that in the South West sea levels are advises that a risk-based approach predicted to rise by: should be used in locating development  3.5mm/year from 1990 to 2025; which should, where possible, be in areas  8mm/year from 2025 to 2055; at least risk of flooding. Where there is a  11.5mm/year from 2055 to 2085; and medium and high probability of flooding,  14.5mm/year from 2085 to 2100. only essential infrastructure and developments or less vulnerable uses may be permitted.

Landfill Sites: There are no landfill sites on Exmoor, therefore all non-recycled waste is transported to landfill sites outside the National Park boundary. Nearby sites:  Rydon Lane Landfill Site, Williton  Deep Moor Landfill Site, near Torrington 17

ISSUE 5: How to reduce the volume of waste disposed of through landfill?

Landfill Sites Please Please indicate the indicate the OPTIONS: Comments option(s) you option(s) you agree with disagree with a) Provide for public facilities to meet the need to reuse, recycle 8 0 and compost materials b) Ensure the design of new development includes storage facilities for recycling and 8 0 composting c) Encourage the flexible design  Recycling= good of buildings so they can be 6 0  Sustainable adapted to different uses over their lifetime rather than replaced d) Re-use existing buildings to reduce the need for new materials, reuse building materials e.g. slate, stone, 10 0 timber, and re-use construction waste such as hardcore for foundations

ISSUE 6: How to reduce the risk of pollution to maintain Exmoor’s high air and water quality, dark skies and tranquillity

and protect soils and wildlife?

Pollution Please Please indicate the indicate the OPTIONS: Comments option(s) you option(s) you agree with disagree with a) Work with others to avoid and address pollution sources within the National Park such as vehicle 9 0 emissions, agricultural and other runoff, light and noise pollution No Comments were b) Work with others to avoid and made. address pollution sources outside the National Park such as vehicle emissions agricultural 6 1 and other runoff, light and noise pollution

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Pollution: Many different types of pollution can impact water (and coastal water) quality, air quality and tranquillity including quietness and dark skies. The quality of Exmoor’s rivers and coastal waters is generally good, with relatively low levels of pollution. Pollution is most likely from poorly maintained septic tanks, agricultural run-off and leakages of farm slurry, silage effluent or sheep dip. Air pollutant levels are thought to be low although there are concerns about habitats such as heathland and oak woods which are sensitive to air pollution such as acid rain. Exmoor is valued as a tranquil area, free from manmade noise and structures, where people can escape the noise and stress of urban areas. There are some concerns regarding the impact of traffic noise and aircraft. Exmoor National Park is one of the few areas of southern England that is still relatively free from artificial light pollution, although there is some light pollution from nearby towns such as Minehead and Barnstaple and the skyline is often brightly lit from South Wales.

GENERAL COMMENTS ON CLIMATE CHANGE & NATURAL RESOURCES

Do you have any further comments on this topic?

 Climate change might be natural.

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PLEASE USE THIS SPACE IF YOU WISH TO MAKE ANY FURTHER COMMENTS ON THE FEEDBACK REPORT:

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Please complete this form if you are interested in attending a topic-based group discussion on Your Future Exmoor.

Name Organisation (if relevant) Address & Post Code

Telephone

Email

Please tick the topics you are interested in discussing:

 Natural Environment  Cultural Environment  Settlements  Housing  Economy & Employment  Transport & Infrastructure  Climate Change & Natural Resources

Are there any specific issues you are interested in discussing?

 Please tick if you would like to be contacted for future ‘Your Future Exmoor’ planning consultations

Please return completed forms to [email protected] or Exmoor National Park Authority, Exmoor House, Dulverton, Somerset TA22 9HL BY FRIDAY 23rd JULY

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