Rural Parish Council

Minutes of the Extraordinary Meeting of the Parish Council held on Wednesday 19 April 2017, in Rhydycroesau Village Hall starting at 7pm

Present: Councillors: R Milton (Chair), J Barlow, A Brown, W Cheetham, J Court, P Davies, S Jones, A Milner, E Robert-Jones and K Swindells Clerk: C Warner Members of the Public: in excess of 30

55/17 Public Participation Period The Chair welcomed members of the public and explained the procedure for the Public Participation Period. A resident questioned whether approval of the applications would result in similar applications in the future. A representative of the Oswestry Racecourse Management Association (ORMA) spoke in objection to the applications. ORMA had worked with Oswestry Borough Council and Council over many years to maintain the Racecourse which is an historic site. The proposed development would have adverse effect on views and impact on Offa’s Dyke. Many local people and tourists use both the Racecourse and Offa’s Dyke and their enjoyment would be seriously impacted. A resident considered the proposals to be the wrong development in the wrong place. The tall turbine was unrelated to agriculture and to be sited in an exposed prominent location would be harmful. The single access point for HGV and exceptional loads for the construction stage was wrong. To call the project ‘community’ was misleading and the initial consultation was flawed. Shropshire Councillor for the Ward, Robert Macey, explained he was attending to listen to public comments and Parish Council’s views. He confirmed that he and fellow Ward Councillor, David Lloyd, were reviewing comments received from residents. Cllr Macey confirmed he had registered severe concerns with the proposals at consultation stage. A representative of CARTE (Community Against Rhydycroesau Turbine and Energy-park) and a local businessman employing 15 local people spoke in objection to the applications. He considered the initial consultation to be a desk-top exercise and over 95% of the responses were against the project. The location had been chosen to obtain a more favourable response from the CC rather than chose a location in Wrexham BC or Shropshire Council’s area . The representative drew Councillors attention to the dismissal of an appeal for a 20m turbine. He also considered there was no community benefit. A resident who lived close to the proposed development outlined the impact it would have on his life. He questioned the long term sustainability of this type of energy taking into account the cost of Government subsidies. The visual impact of the turbine would be severe. He questioned the level of consultation carried out by the applicant/agent.

56/17 Apologies for absence: Cllrs P Broomby, V Byrne, M Lee, P May and P Milner (accepted).

57/17 Disclosable Pecuniary Interests: a. Members were reminded that they are required to leave the room during the discussion and voting on matters in which they have a disclosable pecuniary interest, whether or not the interest is entered in the register of members’ interests maintained by the Monitoring Officer. b. To consider any requests for Dispensation None

Clerk: Carole Warner, Orchard Cottage, Rowe Lane, Welshampton, Ellesmere, SY12 0QB Tel. 01948 710672 email: [email protected] www.oswestryrural-pc.gov.uk c. Members were reminded that they are required to declare any acceptance of gifts and hospitality.

58/17 Planning Applications: a. 17/00887/FUL Cefn-Y-Maes, Rhydycroesau, SY10 7JB Installation of a temporary access track and upgrade of existing farm entrance, for the purpose of delivery and construction of a proposed renewable energy park Councillors thanked the members of the public for their comments which covered all pertinent issues relating to the application. It was resolved to object to the application having considered the proposed routing of vehicles and the access point from the highway. The Council noted the following:  The concerns raised by Shropshire Council’s Highways Dept in its report dated 13 April particularly the underestimation of the number of HGV movements.  The impact on roads and country lanes (including verges and trees) clearly not suitable for the proposed size and volume of vehicles.  The hugely disruptive nature of all vehicle movements (not just HGV) on: . Local businesses . Tourism . The natural environment . Residential dwellings on and close to the route (noise and structural damage)  Road safety on the whole route. The A5 and A483 have an acknowledged accident history.  The lack of local community support for the proposal. b. P/2017/0255 (Powys CC) Cefn-Y-Maes, Rhydycroesau, SY10 7JB Community Renewable Energy Park The Chair advised that this application response would be finalised at the meeting to be held on 25 April 2017. The Clerk advised Councillors to review comments, especially those from statutory consultees, on the Powys CC website prior to the meeting.

The Chair, Cllr Milton, declared the meeting closed at 7.35pm

Signed………………………………………………….. Date……………………………

Minutes 19 April 2017 2 of 2