Havoc in the hedgerows: The truth about life in the country.
Click on the link below to read an article in 23rd July 08 Independant. It includes a section on the local proposed AD. Click on the 'Back' arrow in the top left of the Article to return to here.......
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/house-and-home/property/havoc-in-the-hedgerows-the-truth-about-life-in-the-country-874503.html
Mention the countryside and you think of natural silence broken only by birdsong. But many new initiatives have undermined the notion of the British rural idyll in recent years. Our favourite AD unit gets a mention in the Indy
Monday, 28 July 2008
Friday, 25 July 2008
Sellindge Proposed Sites - Map
A new section entitled 'Map of Sellindge', just below the 'Shepway District Planning Meeting - 29th July 2008' section, has a link to a Google map of Sellindge highlighting, via the blue balloon type shapes, the approximate position, from top to bottom, of certain points of interest:
1) The Proposed Lorry Park Site
2) The Airport Cafe
3) The Proposed Otterpool Quarry Site
4) Port Lympne Zoo
If you click on the blue balloon, a text box is displayed showing which is which. Other features of google map can be used such as display the map in terrain or map mode, zoom in/out, move up/down.
1) The Proposed Lorry Park Site
2) The Airport Cafe
3) The Proposed Otterpool Quarry Site
4) Port Lympne Zoo
If you click on the blue balloon, a text box is displayed showing which is which. Other features of google map can be used such as display the map in terrain or map mode, zoom in/out, move up/down.
Thursday, 24 July 2008
Waste Plant Meeting - Tuesday 29th July 08, 7pm, in the Civic Centre Folkesone
U R G E N T
In the Folkestone Herald 24th July, at the bottom of page 2, the Headline is 'Village awaits decision on waste plant'. The last paragraph states....
"Shepway District Council's development control committee will discuss the planning application for the site just off the A20 next week at a public meeting in the Civic Centre in Folkestone on Tuesday 29th July at 7pm. The final decision will be made by KCC this year. "
We must all attend this public meeting to make sure our feelings are known!! Please let others know and come along if at all possible.
Click on the scanned article and then it should be readable. You may be able to click on the 'back' arrow in the top left to return to here - failing that just go to this website again.
Monday, 7 July 2008
Anaerobic Digester information via 'letsrecycle' website
The website http://www.letsrecycle.com/ has lots of interesting information on Anaerobic Digester (AD) plants, including in the UK. If you put the phrase 'anaerobic digester' in the search option (found near the top right of the screen) then many useful and relevant links are displayed.
In the right-hand column, immediately below the 'Contacts' section, are some interesting ones found so far.
As one of the links states: "It must be remembered that anaerobic digestion processing for food waste has never been proven in a full scale facility in the UK. While other companies have built anaerobic digesters (including Biogen in Bedford, Biotech in Holsworthy and EarthTech in Stornaway) Greenfinch is the only plant taking around 90% food waste as its feedstock and this, is still as Mr Chesshire describes it, a "sub-commercial" project."
In the right-hand column, immediately below the 'Contacts' section, are some interesting ones found so far.
As one of the links states: "It must be remembered that anaerobic digestion processing for food waste has never been proven in a full scale facility in the UK. While other companies have built anaerobic digesters (including Biogen in Bedford, Biotech in Holsworthy and EarthTech in Stornaway) Greenfinch is the only plant taking around 90% food waste as its feedstock and this, is still as Mr Chesshire describes it, a "sub-commercial" project."
Sunday, 6 July 2008
The Merton Policy - planners not permitted to develop without Assessing the Impact on the Local Environment and Residents
There is a very interesting policy called 'the Merton Policy', concerning the Protection of the Environment . This is to do with renewable energy sources, not just AD plants, but these are mentioned. The main point being that planners are not permitted to 'develop' where these would impact on the Local Environment and Residential Developments without following the Council requirements.
Have a look at the Policy www.merton.gov.uk/udpprotectionenv.pdf for the detail. The following Sections look particularly relevant:
PE.1: Air Quality (proposed developments that have a significantly adverse effect on Air Quality will not be permitted - the Council will require ....)
PE.2: Pollution and Amenity (proposed developments that have a significantly adverse effect on Nearby Occupiers or on the Amenity of the Locality by Noise and Disturbance or Air Pollution or Adverse Discharge onto the Land or into the water Systems will not be permitted - the Council will require ....)
PE.6: Water Quality (proposed developments that would lead to Pollution of Groundwater or Surface Water by reason of their Waste Water Discharge or Surface Water will not be permitted - the Council will ....)
PE.10: Waste Facilities (proposed Applications for Waste Management Facilities, such as for the Storage or Waste or Refuse, Waste Treatment and Reprocessing Plants including Concrete crushers, Incineration Plants and Waste Transfer/Bulk Reducing Stations will not be permitted outside the designated Industrial Areas - the Council will ....)
Have a look at the Policy www.merton.gov.uk/udpprotectionenv.pdf for the detail. The following Sections look particularly relevant:
PE.1: Air Quality (proposed developments that have a significantly adverse effect on Air Quality will not be permitted - the Council will require ....)
PE.2: Pollution and Amenity (proposed developments that have a significantly adverse effect on Nearby Occupiers or on the Amenity of the Locality by Noise and Disturbance or Air Pollution or Adverse Discharge onto the Land or into the water Systems will not be permitted - the Council will require ....)
PE.6: Water Quality (proposed developments that would lead to Pollution of Groundwater or Surface Water by reason of their Waste Water Discharge or Surface Water will not be permitted - the Council will ....)
PE.10: Waste Facilities (proposed Applications for Waste Management Facilities, such as for the Storage or Waste or Refuse, Waste Treatment and Reprocessing Plants including Concrete crushers, Incineration Plants and Waste Transfer/Bulk Reducing Stations will not be permitted outside the designated Industrial Areas - the Council will ....)
Need for an Environmental Impact Assessment for the Proposed Anaerobic Digesteion Plant
From: Paul Carter - KCC
Date: Thu, Jul 3, 2008
To: local resident (name withheld)
PLANNING APPLICATION: SH/08/124 - PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION OF A MATERIALS RECYCLING FACILITY, ANAEROBIC DIGESTION PLANT AND ASSOCIATED OFFICE AND PARKING FACILITIES - OTTERPOOL QUARRY, ASHFORD ROAD, SELLINDGE, ASHFORD
Dear local resident
Thank you for your email to this office received on 15 May 2008 in connection to the response to Mr Keith Ferrin's letter of 30 April 2008 in relation to the above planning application. I apologise for the delay in responding which was due to a need to have a copy of the transcript of the Parish Council meeting you referred to.
I note that your correspondence draws attention to concerns regarding groundwater and pollution risk and the need for the application to have an environmental impact assessment. I have forwarded your concerns to the Head of Planning Applications so that she can ensure that they are addressed when the application is considered by the Planning Applications Committee.
You will be aware from Mr Ferrin's previous letter that officers dealing with the Otterpool Quarry planning application in the Planning Applications Group are still in the process of seeking further clarification in relation to potential water contamination/site drainage matters. Officers also confirmed to local residents who attended the public meeting in Sellindge this week of the need for a number of outstanding matters that need to be fully explored before a decision can be taken on the application. Water pollution and drainage issues are one such issue. I have asked the officers to write to you direct when these details are available.
I also note your comments in respect of the environmental impact assessment (EIA) and your view that Mr Ferrin advised the Parish Council that the project required an environmental impact assessment. Having seen a transcript of the meeting held on 1 April, I understand that Mr Ferrin was invited in his capacity as Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways & Waste. The purpose of the meeting was initially to discuss traffic issues along the A20 and that the meeting agenda had later been broadened to include the lorry park proposal and the proposed application at Otterpool Quarry.
Having read the minutes of the meeting, Mr Ferrin clearly stated early on in the meeting that he was unaware of the proposed application at Otterpool. He would not therefore have had the benefit of a detailed briefing on this application, nor would he have been unaware that 6 months previously officers had already undertaken a formal screening opinion at the applicant's request in accordance with the EIA Regulations. As is necessary practice, this opinion was formed before the submission of the application and based upon information available at that time. That screening opinion concluded that a formal environmental statement was not required in this case. However in light of issues raised during the planning process and in accordance with EIA requirements, the planning authority will be reviewing whether an EIA is now required. You will however be aware from the earlier correspondence that the level of information provided in the application, is tantamount to the level of information required to be included in a formal EIA.
I trust this clarifies matters. Should you have any further queries in relation to the planning application at Otterpool Quarry, please do not hesitate to contact the Planning Applications Group direct. Yours sincerely,
Paul Carter
Leader of Kent County Council
Date: Thu, Jul 3, 2008
To: local resident (name withheld)
PLANNING APPLICATION: SH/08/124 - PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION OF A MATERIALS RECYCLING FACILITY, ANAEROBIC DIGESTION PLANT AND ASSOCIATED OFFICE AND PARKING FACILITIES - OTTERPOOL QUARRY, ASHFORD ROAD, SELLINDGE, ASHFORD
Dear local resident
Thank you for your email to this office received on 15 May 2008 in connection to the response to Mr Keith Ferrin's letter of 30 April 2008 in relation to the above planning application. I apologise for the delay in responding which was due to a need to have a copy of the transcript of the Parish Council meeting you referred to.
I note that your correspondence draws attention to concerns regarding groundwater and pollution risk and the need for the application to have an environmental impact assessment. I have forwarded your concerns to the Head of Planning Applications so that she can ensure that they are addressed when the application is considered by the Planning Applications Committee.
You will be aware from Mr Ferrin's previous letter that officers dealing with the Otterpool Quarry planning application in the Planning Applications Group are still in the process of seeking further clarification in relation to potential water contamination/site drainage matters. Officers also confirmed to local residents who attended the public meeting in Sellindge this week of the need for a number of outstanding matters that need to be fully explored before a decision can be taken on the application. Water pollution and drainage issues are one such issue. I have asked the officers to write to you direct when these details are available.
I also note your comments in respect of the environmental impact assessment (EIA) and your view that Mr Ferrin advised the Parish Council that the project required an environmental impact assessment. Having seen a transcript of the meeting held on 1 April, I understand that Mr Ferrin was invited in his capacity as Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways & Waste. The purpose of the meeting was initially to discuss traffic issues along the A20 and that the meeting agenda had later been broadened to include the lorry park proposal and the proposed application at Otterpool Quarry.
Having read the minutes of the meeting, Mr Ferrin clearly stated early on in the meeting that he was unaware of the proposed application at Otterpool. He would not therefore have had the benefit of a detailed briefing on this application, nor would he have been unaware that 6 months previously officers had already undertaken a formal screening opinion at the applicant's request in accordance with the EIA Regulations. As is necessary practice, this opinion was formed before the submission of the application and based upon information available at that time. That screening opinion concluded that a formal environmental statement was not required in this case. However in light of issues raised during the planning process and in accordance with EIA requirements, the planning authority will be reviewing whether an EIA is now required. You will however be aware from the earlier correspondence that the level of information provided in the application, is tantamount to the level of information required to be included in a formal EIA.
I trust this clarifies matters. Should you have any further queries in relation to the planning application at Otterpool Quarry, please do not hesitate to contact the Planning Applications Group direct. Yours sincerely,
Paul Carter
Leader of Kent County Council
Saturday, 5 July 2008
Meeting with the KCC on 24th June at the Village Hall
The local papers recently published articles following the above meeting can be viewed in the section on the right below the 'letsrecycle website links' section.
Click on the newspaper article to increase the size.
Click on the newspaper article to increase the size.
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