12 Feb 2012 7Pm – Audley Rural Parish Council Public Meeting UK

12 th Feb 2012 7pm – Audley Rural Parish Council Public Meeting UK Coal Open cast proposals at Bignall End Councillors – Mr H Proctor (Chair), Mr N Blackwood, Mrs C D Cornes (Cllr), Mr D Cornes, Mr C Cooper, Mr P Breuer, Mrs A Beech (Cllr). Clerk – Mrs C Withington 126 members of public in attendance Purpose of the meeting: To hear the residents views in respect of the scoping proposal for Open Cast mining at Bignall End, prior to the Parish Council commenting on the Planning Application when received. Noted that UK Coal had provided public exhibitions to provide answers to residents questions. The following concerns were raised by residents: A resident of Ravens Lane - Open cast was proposed 20 years ago in the 80’s, why was it dropped after getting to the formal stage? A resident of Monument View - Clarification was requested on the planning application consultation process, notifications to residents and the ability for residents to comment upon the application. It was noted that residents will be notified directly around the site by the County, notices will be put up in noticeboards, library etc. All residents have the ability to comment individually in addition to the Parish Council through Staffordshire County Council website. Noted that the Parish Council would call another public meeting to hear individual concerns, and possibly invite representatives from other agencies to answer questions such as applicant, planners etc. It was noted that it was expected to be a planning committee decision (consisting of 15 county councillors at Staffordshire County Council). Residents are able to attend this committee if open. A resident of Oakley Court – Concerns regarding other sites in the Country such as Leicestershire, when the site was extended after the first phase completed. However there is minimal requirements for an extension of time in the planning application process. Concern regarding the site being extended to take in land to the west of Bignall End Road, where drilling tests have been carried. If the site is extended, would they delay restoration of the first site whilst the further work was ongoing? UK Coal need to be open and honest – if they are looking for a larger scheme, then apply for the total scheme now. If not then there must be time constraints over the smaller area to ensure they do not seek an extension beyond the current timescale. AGREED – Parish Council to write to UK Coal to request assurances in writing that this is the only project proposed and that there is no expansion planned (now or in future). Confirm if UK Coal is two holding companies and their financial stability. Will they be able to commit to their promises as originally intended, or will things change if the scheme if affordability becomes an issue? A resident of Megacre – This is small scheme, however are they likely to use the big machinery to go deeper than proposed? A resident of Nantwich Road – Want to stop the proposals altogether and know the fastest legal route to do this. A resident of Edward Street – What is the land owners end objectives for the site? Martins are felt to be a waste management company, what discussions have taken place with them? A resident of Bignall Hill – Why not import coal as it’s cheaper to import rather than to dig the coal out? 1 A resident of Queen Street – They previously laid off thousands of miners due to reduced demand for coal, so why now if not considered to be needed in the past? A resident of Nantwich Road – What impact will the blasting and seismic activity have on the Victorian drains in the area – already suffering from flooding due to increased surface water and poor quality drains. A resident of Diglake Street – Mines entrances are leaking methane into the atmosphere. Staffordshire Coal is methane rich. Expected that 5 million cubic meters will be released into the atmosphere as a result. Why haven’t they considered other ways to extract the methane from the land to reduce the CO2 footprint. A resident of New Road – What is the adopted status of the land is it Green Belt or Brownfield land? Will it be returned to Green belt status after the coal mining or brownfield? Will there be a bond to restore the land regardless if it goes bust or not? A resident of Edward Street & a resident of Bignall Hill – Concern that Communications Officer from UK Coal stated that UK Coal will return the land to whatever they are told to return it to i.e. open space, or could be houses, industrial units etc. A resident of Red Street – Relation buried at Diglake and therefore object for these reasons. Noted that UK Coal had said that they will not disturb the Diglake bodies, as they are not going anywhere near deep enough. However it was felt they are going near to the site (not just the entrance to the mine) and the land is unstable. A resident of Cherry Tree Road Bignall End – What will be the impact of blasting 270 mtrs of existing mine workings? Ground and water transmit vibrations, therefore may well impact upon other mine workings in the area. A resident of Wood Lane – Hole to be filled in with landfill? Blasting – there are no full records of all of the mines in the area, therefore could cause larger scale devastation than expected. 15 years ago a mine shaft opened up unexpectedly in Wood Lane following heavy rain – no clear records as to where these shafts are? A resident of Bignall Hill – Suggested that people look at the County website to see Mike Grundy’s response to UK Coal following the consultations responses received on the scoping document. English Heritage were concerned about the welfare of Jodrall Bank??? A resident of Farm Hollow – Will the integrity of the company affect the County’s decision? Will they fill in the 40 mtr hole with land fill?? A resident of Boon Hill – What about the subsidence from 44 tonne lorries making 120 trips a day on a 7.5 tonne restricted road? Noted that they are allowed to do an hours maintenance either side of the working times. Barrier is no use for those who live higher than the barriers etc Bignall Hill, Wood Lane, Boon Hill etc). What will be the dust implications in drought conditions? Can someone identify sites where they have not kept their promises? A resident of Oaklea Court – The land remediation will not be stable in 5 years time – will not be compact and may subside. A resident of Ravens Lane – Visual amenity will be lost, must be a planning condition to achieve the existing contours in the restoration. A resident of Waterhayes – Access road is on a minor road (Jamage Road). There is a lack of highway’s plans showing visability splays, accidents etc. Who owns the land on either side of the red strip to enable the safe access? Must own the land or have authorisation to use it to gain planning. Noted that Highways have requested information from the 2 developer. Will need to access the impact on the roundabouts. What has been done to survey the wildlife on the site are there any badgers and protected species? ACTION – Try to identify who owns land either side of access strip in Red Street. A resident of Hope Street – 60 wagons a day (1200 tonnes) largest size of truck on road to be legal is 38 tonnes tip wagon x 60 a day. Roundabouts will not be able to cope with this due to size etc – on the route to Peacocks Haye. A resident of Ravens Lane – A500 bridge Red Street – already strengthening work being done – why? ACTION – Find out what the work is for on the bridge. A resident of Bignall End – Noted that the original proposals had included an alternative route at Hullocks Pool Road. Bert Proctor felt this had been dropped as the proposals were now focused on the site at Bignall End, not Great Oaks – this was just an alternative which was considered. Young girl of Albert Street – Strongly against the proposals. Will not be able to walk the dog, play in the play area nearby or breath nice clean air. A resident of Ravens Lane – Has there been a health assessment of Open Cast mines – noted in Scotland they cannot be within 500 m of residents homes. Is there any concerns with disease, cancer etc? ACTION – Query the regulations in Scotland and the regulations in the UK, as to why this is considered acceptable to be this close? A resident of Boon Hill Road – Has anyone spoken to Severn Trent regarding the water reservoir at Red Street, Deans Lane? It was noted that UK Coal have contacted them – confirm that they are aware. How many times have similar proposals been rejected elsewhere? 20/21 years ago large numbers of prospective sites were over turned eg Berryhill in SOT, Bleakhouse etc. Must have the backing of the Borough and Council - therefore must lobby them. Noted that Mrs C D Cornes is trying to find out the information with regards to a scheme in Leeds. A resident, why is it still being referred to as Great Oaks? Dwellings – There is a code of practice, controls of development 150/250 mtrs of any sensitive area such as housing eg Diglake Farm. 5m high earth bunding by back doors are ludicrous. A resident of New Road – What checks and balances are in place to ensure they will keep to the planning conditions? What other areas have they looked at in the village.

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