Wind turbine refused

Campaigners at the site visit

An application for a wind turbine at Wapley, south of the B4465 between Westerleigh and Codrington, was yesterday refused by the DC (East) planning committee on the grounds that the special circumstances of the need for renewable energy did not outweigh the harm to the Green Belt.

The applicant said this was the first stage in a project to create a low carbon dairy business, but the application referred only to the wind turbine and officers advised that possible future proposals could not be given weight when determining the application.

Concerns were raised by residents about possible noise and flicker effects at their properties, the nearest of which were less than 300m away.  One neighbour had obtained an expert report which challenged the applicant's noise report and suggested an additional condition be applied. Speaking as the local member I asked whether it would be possible to apply this extra condition if permission were granted to ensure that any noise fears were addressed.

However,  it was not the concerns about noise or flicker that led to the refusal, but the impact on the Green Belt. When a development is proposed in the Green Belt that does not fall into one of a small category that are considered appropriate, the applicant has to show that there are special circumstances to justify it. The need for renewable energy is, according to national planning guidance, a special circumstance. As I said in my comments, many of us agree on the importance of renewable energy, including wind turbines. The issues residents raised were about the specifics of the application.

The committee was being asked to balance this special circumstance against the impact on the Green Belt.  As this was central to the decision,  I had asked the committee to visit the site, rather than simply relying on paper plans. Residents at the site visit (see picture above) felt the harm to the landscape and openness of the Green Belt was significant. After a long debate, a majority of the committee agreed.

The applicant can appeal against the decision to the Planning Inspectorate.

Core Strategy – the latest from the Inspector

Following the extra session of the Examination in Public for South Gloucestershire Council’s Core Strategy on 7th March, the Inspector’s further Modifications have been published. There will be a 6 week consultation on these, closing on 3 May 2013. You can view information on this consultation at:

www.southglos.gov.uk/revisedmainmods

The timing of the Appeal regarding Engine Common was very unhelpful as it took place during the same week as the extra EIP hearing. The Inspector made it clear that any proposals coming from the latter would not be taken into consideration by him and would not influence his decision.

The new proposed Modifications to the Core Strategy designate Morton Way in Thornbury as the site to accommodate the shortfall in provision for housing which the Inspector identified. This, however, does not mean that Woodlands Farm is safe from the development proposed by Barratts. In the Modifications he proposed earlier the Inspector saw 30 dwellings as the maximum for villages in the rural areas. He has now deleted this. The impact on the character of the village and the landscape will be important. Developers will continue to make the case that all the sites identified in the Core Strategy are not yet capable of being developed in the required timescale and that other sites should gain planning permission.

Bid for funding for youth activities

South Gloucestershire Council has set up a new grants programme to encourage young people to participate in positive activities across South Gloucestershire. At the recent area forums, money was awarded to support work at a number of existing youth clubs in the area. The remaining money will be allocated at meetings later in the year.

Funding from the Positive Activities Subsidy Grants Programme is available for organisations working with young people aged 13 to 19 years old (or up to 25 years old for young people with learning difficulties and disabilities). Priority will be given to:

• Organisations who can demonstrate that young people have been involved in the decision making process and in selecting activities
• Applications from young people who may experience additional barriers to accessing positive activities. The council would like to encourage applications from young people from different equality groups

Quartet Community Foundation has been appointed by the Council to manage and administer fund. Applications forms can be downloaded from their web site. When applying for a grant you also need to include:

• A copy of your organisation’s constitution or set of rules
• A copy of your organisation’s most recent accounts or financial information
• A list of the names and addresses of the management committee
• A copy of your child protection policy if you work with children and young people

For further information and a full set of funding criteria please contact Quartet Community Foundation on 0117 989 7700 or visit www.quartetcf.org.uk

Planning committee to visit Woodlands Farm

The DC (West) planning committee will be visiting Woodlands Farm at about 11.30am on Friday 5^th April. The plan is to meet at the gate between Park Farm and Woodlands Farm. You can read the both the officer’s report and the full agenda online.

Council Tax guide

This year the council is saving money by not including a printed council tax guide in every council tax bill. Instead you can find it online or you can write to the council or call 01454 868003 for a printed copy.

Disability Equality Network conference

The South Gloucestershire Disability Equality Network (DEN) and Action Group Conference will take place from 10-3pm on Friday 12th April at Turnberries in Thornbury.

It will cover upcoming changes to the state pension, the transition from DLA to PIP and changes to housing benefit. The keynote speaker is local MP Steve Webb, Minister of State at the Department of Work and Pensions, and benefit advisers will be there to answer questions. For information or for a booking form email or call 01454 865205 before 3rd April.

Energy advice

If you missed the recent Energy Day in Westerleigh, the Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE) have kindly provided some information that you might find useful:

• Information on the Green Deal and whether the supporting ECO could reduce the cost of solid wall insulation  
• Domestic renewable heating, in particular ground source heat pumps and wood burning boilers/stoves  
• How the Renewable Heat Incentive could support/encourage local residents 
• A film giving guidance on setting up a community wood fuel project
• Information, guidance and videos on community solar projects

 More information on CSE's work with community groups and the free resources they offer can be found on their website.