Ainstable Parish Council Serving the villages of Ainstable, Croglin, Newbiggin, and Ruckcroft, the communities of Dale, Longdales, and Towngate, and the all the surrounding farms and houses. Planning Application ~ Objection Site Location 353448 545269 Planning Application Commentary and objection by Ainstable Parish Council in response to the following planning application: Planning Application Number 16/0760 Site Address NY 353448 545269 Ridge line to the South East of Ainstable village. Description Placing of Storage Container to house Peak Power generator Developer R & C Bowman Castlerigg Farm, Armathwaite, Cumbria Nigel Vear Chairman Ainstable Parish Council Ainstable Parish Council Planning Application 16/0760 Contents Planning Application ~ Objection ............................................................................................................... 1 Planning Application .................................................................................................................................. 1 Summary Objection ................................................................................................................................... 3 The Planning Application............................................................................................................................ 4 Consultation & Parish Meetings ............................................................................................................. 4 Application Form .................................................................................................................................... 4 Parish Council Concerns ......................................................................................................................... 5 Noise ..................................................................................................................................................... 6 Parish Council Comment ............................................................................................................................ 6 Ainstable Parish ......................................................................................................................................... 7 Listed Buildings ...................................................................................................................................... 7 Landscape Attributes and Justification ..................................................................................................10 Ecosystem Service Analysis ...................................................................................................................11 Cumbria Action ~ Parish Profile 2013 ....................................................................................................13 Population Profile .................................................................................................................................13 Employment .........................................................................................................................................14 Page 2 of 15 Ainstable Parish Council Planning Application 16/0760 Summary Objection Ainstable Parish Council formally objects to the above planning application. We feel this proposed development is wrong for this location in one of the most peaceful and undisturbed parts of the country. Ainstable Parish is in a ‘Landscape of County Importance’; part of the parish is in ‘The North Pennines Area of Natural Outstanding Beauty’ which overlooks the proposed development site. Natural England lists the Eden Valley as National Character Area 9, and includes the following: Statement of Environmental Opportunity 4: Protect and enhance the cultural heritage of the Eden Valley, reinforcing the vernacular building style and settlement pattern in the design and location of new developments, protecting tranquillity, enhancing green infrastructure and habitat networks, and improving opportunities for public enjoyment of the area. Ensuring that new developments and changes in land use are successfully integrated into the landscape, and that they respect historic settlement and field patterns, make a positive contribution to ecological networks and do not compromise the rural character of the landscape. The fields and rough pasture which make up the ridge line above Ainstable are home to thriving populations of endangered bird species including nesting grounds for curlew and lapwings, buzzards cruise along the ridge and many of the old buildings provide home to a healthy barn owl population. This is an attempt at industrialisation of a rural environment, on what is literally a green-field site, with no other current buildings at the location. This is not a farm diversification as there are no farm buildings, and no requirement for electricity generation, at the location This is a strictly money making venture from the developer, with no discernible public benefit. The developer has failed to consult with either the local population, or take advice from the planning authorities prior to starting this planning application. The parish council is extremely concerned that the applicant would want to place a heavy generator producing a source of noise, toxic fumes, and having a heavy CO2 footprint. Ainstable Parish Council supports farm diversification, and has championed and encouraged other suitable projects. We cannot though support anything which will lead to the industrialisation, and pollution of our otherwise very green and un-polluted environment. Page 3 of 15 Ainstable Parish Council Planning Application 16/0760 The Planning Application The developer, Mr Bowman, does not appear to have received any advice from the Planning Dept at Eden District Council, and also seems to have made little effort at any local public consultation prior to lodging this planning application. Consultation & Parish Meetings The parish council has received a number of comments from members of the public, all of whom are concerned about this planning application. People are concerned about the likely impact of this potentially noisy development in what is a very quiet and tranquil part of the parish. Other major concerns are on the implication for future applications, and on the potential for the industrialisation of this green field site. Ordinary Parish Council Meeting – Tues 20 Sept 2016 Ainstable Parish Council met for an ordinary meeting in Croglin Village Hall, during which this planning application was discussed. The parish council was unanimous in their objection to the proposed development. Ainstable PC – Ordinary Meeting – Minutes – 20 Sept 2016 Application Form The parish council has a number of concerns about statements and answers provided on the planning application form. 3. Description of the Proposal Placing of Storage Container to house Peak Power generator for use for 36 hours per year The parish council is rather sceptical of the need for a generator which will only be run for 36 hours in the year. This proposed maximum running time is unlikely to be sufficient to test the installation, let alone be of any use in providing any meaningful power generation. The parish council does not believe the generator would only be run for 36 hours, and believes it would be run for considerably more time to justify the investment. 6. Pedestrian and Vehicle Access, Roads and Rights of Way Is a new or altered vehicle access proposed to or from the public highway? The applicant has stated that there would be no new vehicle entrance from the public highway, but at present this site has no direct access from the public highway. It is connected to another field which does have an entrance, but to build and service this development we believe the applicant will find he has to open up a new entrance from the public highway. 13. Biodiversity and Geological Conservation To assist in answering the following questions refer to the guidance notes for further information on when there is a reasonable likelihood that any important biodiversity or geological conservation features may be present or nearby and whether they are likely to be affected by your proposals. Having referred to the guidance notes, is there a reasonable likelihood of the following being affected adversely or conserved and enhanced within the application site, OR on land adjacent to or near the application site: a) Protected and priority species The applicant has answered No to this question but previous surveys have shown the fields are home to breeding populations of lapwing and curlew. The lapwing is a protected species. The lapwing is fully protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981; it is an offence to kill, injure or take an adult lapwing, or to take, damage or destroy an active nest or its contents. The only exception is legitimate farming practices that cannot be reasonably delayed, although farming methods can often be modified to reduce the impact on the lapwings. www.rspb.org.uk – Sept 2016 The parish council does not consider that this development is a legitimate farming practice which cannot be delayed. Page 4 of 15 Ainstable Parish Council Planning Application 16/0760 b) Designated sites, important habitats or other biodiversity features The applicant has answered No to this despite being notified during a previous application that these fields were home to lapwing and curlew. 15. Trees and Hedges Are there trees or hedges on the proposed development site? The applicant has answered No to this question,