Updates for 7th to 22nd October 2011

Note - Click on any link in the right-hand column of the article you are interested in to read more. The Website has all the latest information on the main issues facing Sellindge - please note pre-July 2011 information to these topics can be found lower down (in the Sections prefixed with the word 'old').  A new Section (Section 8) entitled 'Kent Mineral and Waste Sites Development - Consultation' has been added. The most recent information is:

Section 3 - Otterpool Waste treatment

1) Update/Reply from Environmental Agency to Susan Carey email re Environmental Permit application from Countrystyle Recycling - 19 October 2011

Section 4 - Wind Farm

1) Two Wind Anemometer Masts erected Harringe Brooks - 20 October 2011
2) Harringe Brooks Wind Anemometer Mast - 20 October 2011

Section 6 - Shepway - Housing/Village Green

1) Parish Council response to Shepway LDF and Sellindge Masterplan

Section 8 - Kent Mineral and Waste Sites Development - Consultation

1) Mineral and Waste Sites Development Plan Documents - Supplementary Options Consultation commencing on Monday 24 October 2011

Section 9 - Correspondence including replies from KCC

1) Letter to Mr Cameron - People must not have policies forced on them from above - 7 October 2011
2) Abolish the County Councils? - 9 october 2011
3) Reorganise local government? - response from Eric Pickles - 11 October 2011

Wind turbine bid is thrown out by district Council

The article below was published on 20th December 2012 in the Folkestone Herald. To read the article (enlarge the print) click on the image below. 

Once finished, click on the back-arrow at the top left of the screen to return to the website and then navigate your way around as usual. Use the 'Home' page link in Section 1 to return to the start if you prefer. 

Decision on revised Bernhurst Planning Application

From: public.access@shepway.gov.uk [mailto:public.access@shepway.gov.uk]
Sent: 22 December 2012 08:01
Subject: Saved search results and Tracked Applications have been updated

Erectionof 5 detached two-storey dwellings to rear of existing retained dwelling, withassociated access road, integral and freestanding car ports, and parking spaces(resubmission of application Y11/0998/SH). - Bern Hurst Barrow Hill SellindgeAshford Kent TN25 6JT

Ref. No: Y12/1013/SH | Status: Approved with conditions | Case Type: Application

Message of thanks to the Councillors from Anthony Bosley - Chairman SALVATION

Subject: Planning Application Notification: Y12/0241/SH - Land adjoining Somerfield Court Farm Barrow Hill

Dear Councillors,

I wanted to write you a brief note of thanks following the formal notification of the rejection of this planning application that arrived yesterday. On behalf of the local residents who were present at the planning meeting and the many others who were unable to be there on the day, we wanted to thank each and everyone of you for your support in helping to protect what we believe is a truly unique and beautiful place to live.

Many villagers had feared the worst and yet the clear amount of effort in researching this proposal on our behalf, displayed at the meeting, combined with the unanimous nature of its rejection, has truly heartened everyone. 'Our voices were heard and represented'!

We are aware that future events may present themselves next year, but for 2012 I know that you all will be the toast of many homes in the villages around this area.

On behalf of us all, I would like to thank you once more and to wish you and your families a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

Kind regards,

Anthony Bosley

Chairman - SALVATION

Shepway Decision re Barrow Hill Wind Turbine Application

Click on the link below to see a copy of an electronic letter received from Shepway stating the decision reached regarding Planning Application Y12/0241/SH - Wind Turbine on Land Adjoining Somerfield Court Farm, Barrow Hill

Shepway Decision - Planning Application Notification: Y12/0241/SH - Land Adjoining Somerfield Court Farm Barrow Hill

Once finished reading, return to the original tab and navigate the website as normal.

Barrow Hill Turbine Rejected

Click on the link below to read the document entitled 'Barrow Hill Turbine Rejected' ...

Barrow Hill Turbine Rejected 

Once finished reading, return to the original tab and navigate the website as normal. 

Shepway Core Strategy Local Plan - Proposed Modifications Autumn 2012 available to view and comment up to 10th December

The following email was received on 29th October from Shepway District Council:

From: consult@objective.co.uk [mailto:consult@objective.co.uk]
Subject: Shepway District Council: New event available

Shepway Core Strategy Local Plan - Proposed Modifications Autumn 2012 will be available for you to view and comment between the following dates:

Start date: 29/10/12 09:00

End date: 10/12/12 17:00

Please select the following link (which will open in a new tab) to view this event:

http://consult.shepway.gov.uk/portal/shepway_cslp_propmods2012

microlight aircraft runway - turbine concern?

From: Mavis Turton [mailto:mavis.turton@btinternet.com]
Sent: 04 December 2012 18:43
Subject: Fw: Wind turbines

Dear all

A quick reply from Mr Bliss
Mavis

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: "Leader@shepway.gov.uk" <Leader@shepway.gov.uk>
To: mavis.turton@btinternet.com
Sent: Tuesday, 4 December 2012, 10:46
Subject: RE: Wind turbines

Dear Ms Turton

Thank you for your further comments.  I will certainly forward them to the case officer for consideration by the Committee.

Regards

Cllr Robert Bliss

 Leader of the Council Shepway District Council, Civic Centre

From: Mavis Turton [mailto:mavis.turton@btinternet.com]
Sent: 04 December 2012 09:25
To: Leader
Subject: Re: Wind turbines

Dear Mr Bliss,

Further to my correspondence concerning wind turbines in Sellindge.  I hope you will take into consideration the fact that the proposed erection of a single wind turbine on Richard Price's farm is situated at the end of a microlight aircraft runway. To any flying machine landing there, especially when in a crisis situation, the turbine blades would present a real danger. I am sure that there would be helicopters approaching the Folkestone Racecourse as well.  I have family members who fly light aircraft, and often their flight path would be in a direct line with many of the proposed turbines. I am also concerned that our local Parish Council seems not to be considering any of the concerns of Sellindge residents, whereas all the other surrounding parishes have councils which voice opposition.  Because we seem to be the village most affected, I find this difficult to understand.

Kind regards,

Mavis Turton

From: "Leader@shepway.gov.uk" <Leader@shepway.gov.uk>
To: mavis.turton@btinternet.com
Sent: Wednesday, 7 November 2012, 14:19
Subject: RE: Wind turbines

Dear Ms Turton

 I have been in contact with the case officer handling the application and have been informed that the issue of ice build up on the turbine blades has been considered within the accompanying Environmental Statement (see attached link, Chapter 13 paragraph 13.5). Mitigation measures are suggested in the form of vibration sensors fitted to the turbines which would detect any inbalance in the blades and which would result in the turbines being shut down.

 http://www.ukplanning.com/ukp/findCaseFile.do?councilName=Shepway+District+Council&appNumber=Y12/0451/SH&action=Search

 It would appear that a solution to address your concerns has been considered within the application details. The matter you raise regarding the incident in Lammermuir Hills has been passed to the case officer for information.

 Yours sincerely

Cllr Robert Bliss
Leader of the Council

From: Mavis Turton [mailto:mavis.turton@btinternet.com]
Sent: 19 October 2012 13:17
To: Bliss, Robert Cllr
Subject: Wind turbines

Dear Mr Bliss, we have friends who live in West Lothian, Scotland.  They tell me that there are wind turbines in East Lothian, in the Lammermuir Hills.  They say that a man was killed when he was hit by ice, which was thrown off the turbine blades during cold weather. Notwithstanding the danger to people, there is a distinct danger of damage to property when the turbines are so near residential buildings.  The proposed turbines in our area seem to be sited at an unacceptable distance from peoples homes, and considering their position on the edge of the Romney Marsh, a very damp position, I would think that the turbine blades could become iced up, and would cause problems.  I have tried to contact the East Lothian Courier newspaper, which I believe serves the area, but I am having trouble doing this.  Perhaps you would be more successful.  It is quite important I would think, to find out exactly what happened in the Lammermuir Hills. Kind regards, Mavis Turton

Additional information received re Single Wind Turbine on land adjoining Somerfield Court Farm Planning Application

Application Number Y12/0241/SH

                   

1st November 2012

 The additional information referred to below, as well as all the original documents, can be found directly bu clicking on the following link, which will open in a new tab:

http://www.ukplanning.com/ukp/findCaseFile.do?councilName=Shepway+District+Council&appNumber=Y12/0241/SH&action=Search 

Once finished, return to the original tab and navigate the site as normal.
________________________________________________________________

Proposal	Erection of a single wind turbine measuring 44.28m to hub height and a maximum of 61m to blade tip height, together with construction of an access track, a crane pad and an equipment housing cabinet.
Location	Land Adjoining Somerfield Court Farm, Barrow Hill, Sellindge, Kent

Additional information has now been received in respect of the above application and a copy is available for inspection at the following:

 ·       The Civic Centre, Folkestone, 8.30 am - 5.00 pm weekdays, except Wednesday 9.30 am – 5.00 pm.

·              Online at http://searchplanapps.shepway.gov.uk/online-applications/.  Please allow up to five working days from the date of this letter for the details to be available.

The additional information is as follows:

  1.   Landscape and visual impact assessment review.

  Should you wish to make any further comments I would be pleased to receive them, in writing, to the address below, by email to planning@shepway.gov.uk or online at http://searchplanapps.shepway.gov.uk/online-applications/ by the 22nd November 2012.  Please note that whichever method you choose, your name will appear on our website.  Any anonymous comments cannot be taken into consideration.

 Please note that however your comments are submitted, the Council is obliged to make any letters/emails of representation on planning related applications available to the public, and these can be viewed by visiting the Civic Centre. 

 Yours sincerely

    

Job Done on Wind Farms says John Hayes

Job Done on Wind Farms says John Hayes.... click on the link below to read more  (it will open in a new tab)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/9676256/Job-done-on-wind-farms-says-John-Hayes.html

Once finished reading, return to the original tab and navigate the website as normal.

Wind Farms by Andrew Gilligan in the Sunday Telegraph 4th November 2012

From: Martin de Wolf
Sent: 04 November 2012 11:55
Subject: Wind Farms by Andrew Gilligan in the Sunday Telegraph 4th November 2012

 The following copied from The Sunday Telegraph today......

 It would appear that the guidelines laid down 16 years ago for how close wind farms can be to human habitation were based on a ""small" wind turbine, which today is nothing like the case.

 In my opinion, based  on this article, Shepway District Council should not permit on Health grounds any giant turbine closer than at least two miles from a building..... Let alone any other considerations..... The key sentence is

 "Dr Lee Moroney, director of planning at the Renewable Energy Foundation, said: “The UK noise limits were drawn up 16 years ago, when wind turbines were less than half the current size"

Regards

========================================================================

ENVIRONMENT

Wind farm noise does harm sleep and health, say scientists

Study warns of ‘clear and significant dangers’ as EU demands more renewables, writes Andrew Gilligan

WIND farm noise causes “clear and significant” damage to people’s sleep and mental health, according to the first full peer-reviewed scientific study of the problem.

American and British researchers compared two groups of residents in the US state of Maine. One group lived within a mile of a wind farm and the second group did not.

Both sets of people were demographically and socially similar, but the researchers found major differences in the quality of sleep the two groups enjoyed.

The findings provide the clearest evidence yet to support long-standing complaints from people living near turbines that the sound from their rotating blades disrupts sleep patterns and causes stress-related conditions.

The study will be used by critics of wind power to argue against new turbines being built near homes and for existing ones to be switched off or have their speed reduced, when strong winds cause their noise to increase.

The researchers used two standard scientific scales, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, which measures the quality of night-time sleep, and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, which measures how sleepy people feel when they are awake.

“Participants living near industrial wind turbines had worse sleep, as evidenced by significantly greater mean PSQI and ESS scores," the researchers, Michael Nissenbaum, Jeffery Aramini and Chris Hanning, found.

“There were clear and significant dose-response relationships, with the effect diminishing with increasing log-distance from turbines."

The researchers also tracked respondents’ “mental component scores” and found a “significant” link – probably caused by poor-quality sleep – between wind turbines and poorer mental health.

More than a quarter of participants in the group living near the turbines said they had been medically diagnosed with depression or anxiety since the wind farm started. None of the participants in the group further away reported such problems.

Each person was also asked if they had been prescribed sleeping pills. More than a quarter of those living near the wind farm said they had. Less than a tenth of those living further away had been prescribed sleeping pills.

According to the researchers, the study, in the journal Noise and Health, is the first to show clear relationships between wind farms and “important clinical indicators of health, including sleep quality, daytime sleepiness and mental health”.

Unlike some common forms of sleep-disturbing noise, such as roads, wind turbine noise varies dramatically, depending on the wind direction and speed. Unlike other forms of variable noise, however, such as railways and aircraft, it can continue for very long periods at a time. The nature of the noise – a rhythmic beating or swooshing of the blades – is also disturbing. UK planning guidance allows a night-time noise level from wind farms of 42 decibels – equivalent to the hum made by a fridge.

This means that turbines cannot be built less than 380-550 yards from human habitation, with the exact distance depending on the terrain and the size of the turbines.

However, as local concern about wind farm noise grows, many councils are now drawing up far wider cordons. Wiltshire, for instance, has recently voted to adopt minimum distances of between 0.6 to 1.8 miles, depending on the size of the turbines.

Dr Lee Moroney, director of planning at the Renewable Energy Foundation, said: “The UK noise limits were drawn up 16 years ago, when wind turbines were less than half the current size. Worse still, the guidelines permit turbines to be built so close to houses that wind turbine noise will not infrequently be clearly audible indoors at night time, so sleep impacts and associated health effects are almost inevitable.

“This situation is obviously unacceptable and creating a lot of angry neighbours, but the industry and government response is slow and very reluctant. Ministers need to light a fire under their civil servants."

The research will add to the growing pressure on the wind farm industry, which was attacked last week by the junior energy minister, John Hayes, for the way in which turbines have been “peppered around the country without due regard for the interests of the local community or their wishes”. Saying “enough is enough”, Mr Hayes appeared to support a moratorium on new developments beyond those already in the pipeline.

He was slapped down by his Lib Dem boss, Ed Davey, the Energy Secretary, but is unlikely to have made his remarks without some kind of nod from the top of Government. George Osborne, the Chancellor, is known to be increasingly sceptical about the effectiveness of wind power, which is heavily subsidised but delivers relatively little reduction in carbon dioxide.

Wind farms generate about a quarter of their theoretical capacity because the wind does not always blow at the required speeds. Earlier this year, more than 100 Tory MPs urged David Cameron to block the further expansion of wind power.

Whatever the Government decides, however, may not matter.

The Telegraph has learnt that the EU will shortly begin work on a new directive which may impose a binding target for further renewable energy, mostly wind, on the UK. There is already a target, which is also Government policy, that 20 per cent of energy should come from renewables by 2020.

But Brussels is considering imposing an even higher mandatory target to be met over the following decade, according to Gunther Oettinger, the EU energy commissioner. “I want an interesting discussion on binding targets for renewables by 2030," he said earlier this year.

Two weeks ago, a senior member of his staff, Jasmin Battista, said that Mr Oettinger was “open to” forced targets, though no decision had been made.

The European Parliament has voted for mandatory increases in renewables by 2030 and Mr Davey has also said he favours them. The issue will be considered at a European Council of Ministers meeting next month.

Wind Turbines - Ice build up on the turbine blade mitigation measures

  From: "Leader@shepway.gov.uk" <Leader@shepway.gov.uk>
To: mavis.turton
Sent: Wednesday, 7 November 2012, 14:19
Subject: RE: Wind turbines

 Dear Ms Turton

I have been in contact with the case officer handling the application and have been informed that the issue of ice build up on the turbine blades has been considered within the accompanying Environmental Statement (see attached link, Chapter 13 paragraph 13.5). Mitigation measures are suggested in the form of vibration sensors fitted to the turbines which would detect any inbalance in the blades and which would result in the turbines being shut down.

 http://www.ukplanning.com/ukp/findCaseFile.do?councilName=Shepway+District+Council&appNumber=Y12/0451/SH&action=Search

 It would appear that a solution to address your concerns has been considered within the application details. The matter you raise regarding the incident in Lammermuir Hills has been passed to the case officer for information.

 Yours sincerely

Cllr Robert Bliss
Leader of the Council
Shepway District Council, Civic Centre

From: Mavis Turton
Sent: 19 October 2012 13:17
To: Bliss, Robert Cllr
Subject: Wind turbines

Dear Mr Bliss, we have friends who live in West Lothian, Scotland.  They tell me that there are wind turbines in East Lothian, in the Lammermuir Hills.  They say that a man was killed when he was hit by ice, which was thrown off the turbine blades during cold weather. Notwithstanding the danger to people, there is a distinct danger of damage to property when the turbines are so near residential buildings.  The proposed turbines in our area seem to be sited at an unacceptable distance from peoples homes, and considering their position on the edge of the Romney Marsh, a very damp position, I would think that the turbine blades could become iced up, and would cause problems.  I have tried to contact the East Lothian Courier newspaper, which I believe serves the area, but I am having trouble doing this.  Perhaps you would be more successful.  It is quite important I would think, to find out exactly what happened in the Lammermuir Hills. Kind regards, Mavis Turton

Hearing by Shepway re Single Wind Turbine at Somerfield Court farm, Barrow Hill

The Decision by Shepway Planners whether to approve the first single turbine at Sellindge on the land adjoining Somerfield Court Farm, Barrow Hill, will be made on Tuesday 11th December. Please look at the 4 articles immediately below for further detailed information:

1) Flyer - 11th Dec is D-Day
2) Document being presented to members of Shepway Planning Control Committee by the SALVATION Action Group
3) Officer's Report for Single Wind Turbine - Somerfield Court Farm
4) Somerfield Court Farm Wind Turbine Application - to be heard before Shepway Councillors Tuesday 11th December  

New Lympne Consultation for 250 Houses

There are to be 2 Public Exhibitions / Consultations regarding the New Lympne Consultation for 250 houses.as follows:

• Monday 19th November - 5pm to 8pm - at Lympne C of E Primary School
• Tuesday 20th November - 2pm to 5pm - at Lympne Village Hall

Further details can be found by checking the following website (note - the website will open in a new tab):

Lympne Consultation

Once finished then return to this tab and navigate the website as usual.

Single Wind Turbine on land adjoining Somerfield Court Farm, Barrow Hill - Document being presented to members of Shepway Planning Control Committee by the SALVATION Action Group

Click on the link below (which will open in a new tab) to read a document being presented to members of the Shepway Planning Control Committee by the SALVATION Action Group:

local views - Impact of Single Turbine on land adjoining Somerfield Court Farm, Barrow Hill

BernHurst revised Planning Application Y12/1013/SH

Revised Planning Application has been issued for proposed development regarding Bern Hurst, as follows:

Reference : Y12/1013/SH

Address : Bern Hurst, Barrow Hill, Sellindge, Ashford.

Proposal : Erection of 5 detached two-storey dwellings to rear of existing retained dwelling, with associated access road, integral and freestanding car ports, and parking spaces (resubmission of application Y12/0998/SH)

The full details can be found on the Shepway Plannign website, or click on the links below which will take you straight there.... (note - each will open in a new tab)

Details:

http://searchplanapps.shepway.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=MCTCFGNZ03J00 

Associated documents/maps

http://www.ukplanning.com/ukp/findCaseFile.do?councilName=Shepway+District+Council&appNumber=Y12/1013/SH&action=Search

·     Note - the closing date for Comments (to be received by Shepway) is 29th November 2012.

The Updates for week commencing 24th September 2011 are.....

Click on the link in the right-hand column of the article you are interested in to read more. The information added over the last week is: 

Note - Older (pre-July 2011) information has been archived to the same named Section (prefixed with 'old') lower down in the right-hand column.

Section 7 - Sellindge Convertor Station - including application number

1) National Grid Converter Station - Notification of decision 'letter' 
2) A Copy of the letter referred to above re the planning application  

Section 8 - Correspondence including replies from KCC

1) Photos and emails re the disgraceful 'Pavements' on the A20 
2) National Trust Planning for People campaign - Planning for people - your views?
3) English Countryside under threat - petition from '38 degrees'

Illegal waste operations result in £233,670 fine for Kent firms and director

Click on the link below (which will open in a new tab) to read the Press Release from the Environment Agency on 1st November entitled:

''Illegal waste operations result in £233,670 fine for Kent firms and director'

http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/news/143918.aspx

Waste firm fined over illegal dumping of 'soil'

The article below was published on the 15th November in the Herald. To read the article (enlarge the print) click on the image below. 

 Once finished reading the above, click on the back-arrow in the top left of the screen to return to the website and then navigate your way around as usual.

Lympne Airfield Developers accused of 'bamboozling' villagers

The article below was published on the 22nd November in the Herald. To read the article (enlarge the print) click on the image below. 

Once finished, click on the back-arrow at the top left of the screen to return to the website and then navigate your way around as usual. Use the 'Home' page link in Section 1 to return to the start if you prefer. 

Somerfiled Court Farm Wind Turbine Application - to be heard before Shepway Councillors on Tuesday 11th December

Dear Friends and Residents of Sellindge,
 

URGENT, URGENT, URGENT.

Most of you are aware that farmer Mr. Price has applied to Shepway Council to erect a 61 metre wind turbine on land in the village.

This turbine is almost THREE TIMES the height of Sellindge Church. It’s output is much greater than needed for domestic purposes.

Village property values will be reduced and the landscape drastically scarred. Once one turbine is approved then almost certainly more will follow.

The money the landowners and energy companies make from turbines will be paid by charging us extra on our electricity bills. We pay their subsidies.

The application will be heard before Shepway Councillors on Tuesday 11^th December at 7.00 pm at the Civic Centre, Castle Hill Avenue, Folkestone.

If you oppose this application, please come along and show Councillors that you care about our Community.

Remember, if this application is approved, it is highly probable that more will follow, including the 6 turbines already planned by Ecotricity that will be125 metres high.

 

DON’T LEAVE IT TO OTHERS – PLEASE BE THERE!!

Officer's Report for the Single Turbine Y12/0241/SH - Somerfiled Court Farm, Barrow Hill

Click on the link below (which will open in a new tab) to read the

'Officer's Report for the Single Turbine Planning Application ref. Y12/0241/SH on Land Adjoining Somerfiled Court Farm, Barrow Hill, Sellindge - Erection of a single wind turbine, togehter with construction of an access track, a crane, a crane pad and an equipment housing cabinet':

Officer's Report for Single Turbine Y12/0241/SH at Somerfield Court Farm, Barrow Hill

11th Dec is D-Day - Single Wind Turbine

Click on the link 11th Dec is D-Day (opens in a new tab) to see the recently distributed flyer